17. At a mandatory mediation session, the parties may, if all consent, even tacitly, bring persons who, while neither experts nor advisers, may make a contribution that is useful for the orderly progress of the mediation process and in resolving the dispute. The parties are required to ensure that the persons who have the authority to make a settlement agreement are present or can be reached in sufficient time to give their consent.
The mediator may, however, restrict the presence or participation of certain persons.