Rule 5 Initial Case Management Conference & Mediation

Assessment Hearing.

(a) At Plaintiff’s Request. Within 21 days of a civil action becoming at issue, plaintiff shall request an Initial Case Management Conference & Mediation Assessment Hearing (“ICMC & MAH”).

(b) Court Scheduling. Within 14 days of the request, the court shall schedule an ICMC & MAH to take place on a date between 60 and 75 days after filing the request, unless the parties stipulate to an earlier ICMC & MAH with the court’s approval.

(c) Untimely Request and Show Cause. If a plaintiff does not timely file a request for an ICMC & MAH, the court shall order the parties and/or their counsel to show cause as to why the case should not be dismissed, monetary sanctions should not be ordered, or mediation should not be scheduled sua sponte, or a combination of the foregoing.

(d) Mediation Determination and Scheduling. At the ICMC & MAH, the court shall determine whether to order mediation. If so, the order shall set a date for completion of mediation and for a post-mediation case management conference.