Nothing in the Choice in Mediation Act shall limit the ability of parties to a dispute to select and, if appropriate, compensate a mediator of their choice, whether or not that mediator is certified under the Dispute Resolution Act or qualified under the District Court Mediation Act; nor shall anything in the Choice in Mediation Act prohibit any person from acting as a mediator of a dispute when so requested by the parties to the dispute.
§ 1840.Parties - Selection and Compensation of Mediators
Chapter 38A: Choice in Mediation Act · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified August 3, 2026
In one sentenceGuarantees that parties can select and, if appropriate, pay their own mediator regardless of Dispute Resolution Act certification or District Court Mediation Act qualification, and confirms that anyone can serve as mediator when the parties ask.
Full Text of § 1840
Amendment History
Added by Laws 2002, HB 1939, c. 468, §20, eff. 11/1/2002.
Plain-English Summary
Section 1840 protects the parties' own choice of mediator. Nothing in the Choice in Mediation Act limits a party's ability to select -- and, if appropriate, compensate -- a mediator of their own choosing, whether or not that person is certified under the Dispute Resolution Act or qualified under the District Court Mediation Act. Nor does the act stop anyone from acting as a mediator when the parties to a dispute ask them to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use a certified mediator in Oklahoma?
No -- parties can select and compensate a mediator of their choice, whether or not that person is certified under the Dispute Resolution Act or qualified under the District Court Mediation Act.
Can any person act as a mediator if both sides want them to?
Yes -- the act doesn't prohibit anyone from acting as a mediator when requested by the parties to the dispute.
Does this section cap how much a party can pay a mediator they've chosen?
No -- the statute doesn't set a dollar limit; it just confirms parties may compensate their chosen mediator "if appropriate."
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, enacted by the Oklahoma Legislature.
Last verified August 3, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: can i choose any mediator i want oklahomauncertified mediator oklahoma lawhire your own mediator oklahoma12 O.S. § 1840