Rule 3-806 NMRA
Rule 3-806. Enforcement of mediated settlement agreement.
A. Scope. This rule applies to any case in which the parties have entered into a
mediated settlement agreement that, by its terms, requires performance over a period of
time, and in which the parties have agreed to comply with the terms of the agreement
without first asking the court to enter a stipulated judgment.
B. Stipulation of dismissal.
(1)
If the parties have entered into a mediated settlement agreement and
agree that the court should not enter a stipulated judgment, the parties shall file a
stipulation of dismissal.
(2)
The mediated settlement agreement shall be reduced to writing and
signed by the parties.
(3)
The mediated settlement agreement shall be filed, unless the parties
agree in writing to waive the filing of the mediated settlement agreement in the pending
case. If the parties waive filing, then each party shall be responsible for retaining a copy
of the mediated settlement agreement, and in any action related to the mediated
settlement agreement, the responsibility to produce a copy of the mediated settlement
agreement belongs to the parties and not to the court.
(4)
If the parties have entered into a mediated settlement agreement and
have filed a stipulation of dismissal, the court shall close the case, provided that the
court shall retain jurisdiction to later reopen the case to enter such orders and
judgments as may be appropriate to enforce the mediated settlement agreement and to
grant such other relief as the court deems just and proper.
C. Motion for judgment and statement of noncompliance.
(1)
In the event of noncompliance with the terms of a mediated settlement
agreement, the party alleging noncompliance may, within five (5) years of the filing of
the stipulation of dismissal, move the court to reopen the case and to enter a judgment
enforcing the terms of the agreement. A party seeking a judgment under this rule shall
file with the court and serve on the opposing party a motion for judgment and statement
of noncompliance, together with a copy of the mediated settlement agreement.
(2)
If a party to a mediated settlement agreement files a motion for judgment
and statement of noncompliance within five (5) years of the filing of the stipulation of
dismissal, the court clerk shall reopen the case, and no additional filing fee shall be
required.
(3)
The party alleged to have breached the terms of a mediated settlement
agreement may, within fifteen (15) days after service of the motion for judgment and
statement of noncompliance, file with the court and serve on the opposing party a
written response, and may request a hearing.
(4)
If the party alleged to have breached the terms of a mediated settlement
agreement timely files a response and requests a hearing under Subparagraph (C)(3) of
this rule, the court shall hold a hearing and shall proceed under the Rules of Civil
Procedure for the Magistrate Courts.
D. Entry of judgment. If a case has been reopened under Paragraph C of this rule,
the court may enter a judgment for any remaining money due, and the court may order
other relief that the court deems just and proper.
E. Retention of case files. The court shall retain a case file for any case in which
the parties have reached a mediated settlement agreement for five (5) years after the
filing of the stipulation of dismissal.