This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.
Here's a plain-English summary:
When people go through mediation, they're encouraged to keep the fact-finding process (called discovery) simple and focused. Instead of digging up every possible piece of evidence, the goal is to gather only what's needed to make the mediation work. This helps keep costs down and keeps the process moving without turning it into a full-blown legal battle.
If both sides agree, or if a judge orders it, they can also pause discovery entirely while mediation is happening. This gives everyone a chance to focus on working out a settlement without the distraction of ongoing legal requests for documents or information. The rule that allows this pause comes from Indiana's Trial Rule 26(C), which gives courts the power to manage how and when discovery happens.
In short, this rule pushes people toward a lighter, more efficient use of discovery during mediation, and gives them the option to hit pause on it altogether if that makes more sense for their situation.
