Local Rule RULE 16.3: ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION

RULE 16.3 ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION (See 28 U.S.C. § 651, et seq.)

(a) Mandatory Mediation Program The Court adopted a Mandatory Mediation Plan ("Plan") by way of Administrative Order. Pursuant to the Plan, all non-exempt civil cases are automatically referred into the Court's Mandatory Mediation Program. The Plan, a list of Court-approved mediators, and additional mediation materials are available on the Court's website.

(b) Judicial Settlement Conference

(1) The Court may, sua sponte or upon motion of any party, set a judicial settlement conference at any time during the litigation. Absent exceptional circumstances, judicial settlement conferences will not be set in cases that have been referred into the Court's Mandatory Mediation Program.

(2) Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, in addition to the lead counsel for each party, a representative of each party or the party's insurance company with authority to bind that party for settlement purposes shall be present.

(3) The notice of the settlement conference shall set forth the format of the conference, any requirement for information that must be submitted to the presiding judicial officer prior to the conference, and the types of documents or other information that must be brought to the conference.

(4) The statements or other communications made by any of the parties or their representatives in connection with the settlement conference shall remain confidential and shall not be admissible or used in any fashion in the trial of the case or any related case.

(c) Other Methods of Dispute Resolution The Court may, in its discretion, set any civil case for summary jury trial or other alternative method of dispute resolution which the Court may deem proper.