In September 1995 the Texas State Legislature made one of the most significant changes to the real estate licensing act, which established an agency relationship called Intermediary. 

If a brokerage represents a buyer and a seller in the same transaction this is considered an Intermediary transaction. 

The broker is always the Intermediary.  The broker can elect to appoint one of their agents to represent the seller and another agent to represent the buyer (Intermediary with appointment).  In this situation each agent can provide advice and opinion to their client.  And any confidential information must remain confidential. 

Secondly the broker can elect to assign one agent to both parties (Intermediary without appointment).  The agent can not provide any advice or opinion.  They can prepare the paperwork provide general information to both parties. 

The broker can never appoint themselves to either party and must treat everyone honestly, and can never provide advice or opinion.