11. Arbitration Hearing. A hearing may be conducted by the arbitrator in any manner which permits a fair presentation of the case by the parties. Normally, the hearing shall be completed within one day. Only for good cause shown may the arbitrator schedule additional hearings.

12. Evidence in Arbitration. The arbitrator shall be the judge of the relevance and materiality of the evidence offered.

13. Closing of Arbitration Hearing. The arbitrator shall ask whether the parties have any further proofs or testimony to offer. Upon determining that the presentations are concluded, the arbitrator shall declare the hearing closed.

14. Arbitration Award. The award shall be in writing and shall be signed by the arbitrator. It shall be rendered promptly and, unless otherwise stipulated, no later than thirty days following the closing of the hearing.

15. Arbitration Award Upon Settlement. If the parties settle their dispute during the course of the mediation or arbitration, the neutral, upon their request, may set forth the terms of the agreed settlement in an award. Such an award is referred to as a consent award.

16. Delivery of Arbitration Award to Parties. The parties shall accept as legal delivery of the award the placing of the award or a true copy thereof in the mail addressed to the party or its representative at the last known address, personal service of the award, or the filing of the award in any other manner that is permitted by law.

17. Confidentiality in Mediation. Confidential information disclosed to a mediator by the parties or by witnesses in the course of the mediation shall not be divulged by the mediator. All records, reports, or other documents received by a mediator while serving in that capacity shall be confidential. The mediator shall not be compelled to divulge such records or to testify in regard to the mediation in any adversary proceeding or judicial forum.

The parties shall maintain the confidentiality of the mediation and shall not rely on, or introduce as evidence in any arbitral, judicial, or other proceeding:

(a) views expressed or suggestions made by another party with respect to a possible settlement of the dispute;

(b) admissions made by another party in the course of the mediation proceedings;

(c) proposals made or views expressed by the mediator, or

(d) the fact that another party had or had not indicated willingness to accept a proposal for settlement made by the mediator.

18. Serving of Notice. Each party shall be deemed to have consented that any papers, notices, or process necessary or proper for the initiation or continuation of a proceeding under these procedures; for any court action in connection therewith; or for the entry of judgment on any award made under these rules may be served on a party by mail addressed to the party or its representative at the last known address or by personal service, in or outside the state where the mediation or arbitration is to be held, provided that reasonable opportunity to be heard with regard thereto has been granted to the party. The AAA and the parties may also use facsimile transmission, telex, telegram, or other written forms of electronic communication to give the notices required by these procedures.

19. Waiver of Procedures. Any party who proceeds with a mediation or arbitration after knowledge that any provision or requirement of these procedures has not been complied with, and who fails to state an objection thereto in writing, shall be deemed to have waived the right to object.

20. Extensions of Time. The parties may modify any period of time by mutual agreement. The AAA or the neutral may for good cause extend any period of time established by these procedures, except the time for making the arbitration award. The AAA shall notify the parties of any extension of time.

21. Expenses. The expenses of witnesses for any party shall be paid by the party producing such witnesses. All expenses of the arbitration, including required travel and other expenses of the arbitrator, AAA representatives, and any witness and the cost of any proof produced at the direct request of the arbitrator, shall be borne equally by the

parties, unless they agree otherwise or unless the arbitrator in the award assesses such expenses or any part thereof against any specified party or parties.

22. Interpretation and Application of Procedures. The neutral shall interpret and apply these procedures insofar as they relate to the neutral's powers and duties. All other procedures shall be interpreted and applied by the AAA.

23. Applications to Court and Exclusion of Liability. (a) No judicial proceedings by a party relating to the subject matter of a proceeding under these procedures shall be deemed a waiver of the party's right to mediate or arbitrate.

(b). Neither the AAA nor any neutral serving under these procedures is a necessary party in judicial proceedings relating to the arbitration or mediation.

(c). Parties to these procedures shall be deemed to have consented that judgment upon an arbitration award rendered under these procedures may be entered in any federal or state court having jurisdiction thereof.

(d). Neither the AAA nor any neutral shall be liable to any party for any act or omission in connection with any mediation or arbitration conducted under these procedures.