§ 1839 Authority of the courts – Court-ordered settlement conferences.

Courts in Oklahoma can still run their own mediation programs and settlement conferences, even with the Choice in Mediation Act in place. This law doesn't take away that power.

In simple terms, judges keep the right to set up ways for people in a lawsuit to try to work out their disagreement before going to trial. This might mean ordering both sides to sit down with a mediator or attend a settlement conference. The Choice in Mediation Act doesn't change or limit this authority in any way.

For people involved in a court case, this means a judge can still require them to try mediation or a settlement conference as part of the legal process. The court keeps full control over these programs, and the newer mediation law doesn't remove or reduce that control.