Local Rule RULE 7016-1: PRETRIAL PROCEDURE

RULE 7016-1. PRETRIAL PROCEDURE

(a) Upon consent of all parties, the Court may enter an order referring a proceeding to mediation or arbitration or other procedure for alternative dispute resolution upon such terms and conditions as the parties may agree in writing consistent with the provisions of MLBR Appendix 7 governing mediation. Such terms and conditions shall include the procedure for selection and compensation of the mediator or arbitrator, the power and authority of the mediator or arbitrator, the deadline for the mediator or arbitrator'sarbitrator's report to the Court on whether the matter has been resolved, and the procedures for protecting the confidentiality of the information disclosed at mediation or arbitration, including the protection of proprietary information and preservation of privileges.

(b) Any request for an extension of any deadline or for modification of a party'sparty's obligations under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 7016 shall be made by written motion which shall state the basis for the relief requested. The Court willmay not consider any such motion unless consented to or accompanied by a certification made with particularity (time, date, and circumstances) that the moving party has made a reasonable and good faith effort to reach agreement with the opposing party on the matter that is the subject of the motion.

(c) If relief is sought under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(c) (as made applicable by Fed. R. Bankr. P. 7026) or Fed. R. Bank. P. 7037, copies of the relevant portions of disputed documents shall be filed with the Court contemporaneously with any motion for order compelling disclosure or discovery. In addition, the Court willmay not consider any such motion unless accompanied by a certification made with particularity (time, date, and circumstances) that the moving party has made a reasonable and good faith effort to reach agreement with the opposing party on the matter that is the subject of the motion.