Interpretation
2.—(1)  In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires —
“Community Mediation Centre” means a Community Mediation Centre established under section 3;
“Director” means a person holding office or duly acting as Director of a Community Mediation Centre;
“functions” includes powers, authorities and duties;
“mediation” includes —
(a)the undertaking of any activity for the purpose of promoting the discussion and settlement of disputes;
(b)the bringing together of the parties to any dispute for that purpose, either at the request of one of the parties to the dispute or on the initiative of a Director; and
(c)the follow-up of any matter that is the subject of any such discussion or settlement;
“mediation session” means a meeting in accordance with this Act between 2 or more parties who are in dispute on any matter;
“mediator”, in relation to a Community Mediation Centre, means —
(a)the Director of the Centre; or
(b)any person for the time being appointed under section 8 as a mediator for the Centre.
(2)  A reference in this Act to the exercise of a function includes, where the function is a duty, a reference to the performance of the duty.
(3)  A reference in this Act to the parties to a mediation session includes a reference to the parties to a dispute in respect of which an application for a mediation session is duly made, but does not include a reference to the mediator conducting the mediation session.
(4)  A reference in this Act to the conduct of a mediation session by a mediator includes a reference to the conduct of a mediation session in the presence, or under the supervision, of the mediator.