Local Rule L.R. 16-6: Alternative Dispute Resolution

N.D. Ind. L.R. 16-6 Alternative Dispute Resolution

(a) Report of Agreement. After they confer as required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f), the parties must advise the court which, if any, alternative-dispute-resolution processes they expect to pursue and when they expect to undertake the process.

(b) Authority to Order Mediation or Evaluation. The court may order mediation or early neutral evaluation in any civil case.

(c) Rules. The Indiana Rules for Alternative Dispute Resolution (including the rules regarding privilege, confidentiality of communications, and disqualification of neutrals) apply to all alternative-dispute-resolution processes unless the court orders otherwise.

(d) Judicial Settlement Conference. A settlement conference conducted by a judge is not an alternative-dispute-resolution process.

(e) Immunity of Mediators. Mediators performing their duties under these rules have, to the extent the law allows, the same immunities a judge has.

(f) List of Neutrals. The clerk must maintain a list of neutrals available for mediation or early neutral evaluation. The list may be purchased from the clerk's office or accessed for free on the court's website.