Effective January 1, 2002 each member board and state association of REALTORS® must provide mediation and arbitration services to members, and clients of members, in order for disputes as identified under Article 17 of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics can be resolved. Parties to an arbitral matter are not required to submit to mediation, however, a board or association must be available. This is offered as background.
COAR will offer mediation via the Portland Area Arbitration Board resolution system to buyers and sellers. The filing fee for mediation will be determined by the Board of Directors, with said amount being paid to the mediator appointed to mediate the dispute.
REALTOR® to REALTOR® mediations will also be offered, on a voluntary basis, by COAR in an effort to resolve disputes between members. A filing fee, as determined by the Board of Directors, will be charged both parties.
Any request received that is deemed appropriate for arbitration will be forwarded to the CEO who will then notify both parties that the complaint is arbitrable. The CEO will then inquire as to whether the parties wish to mediate. If the mediation does not successfully resolve the dispute no additional fee will be required to proceed to arbitration.