The parties must attend the mediation conference. Counsel shall attend the mediation conference unless otherwise agreed to by the parties and the mediator or ordered by the Court. If a party is a public entity, it shall appear by the physical presence of a representative with full authority to negotiate on behalf of the entity and to recommend settlement to the appropriate decision making body or officer of the entity. If a party is an organization other than a public entity, it shall appear by the physical presence of a representative, other than the party's counsel of record, who has full authority to settle without further consultation. If any party is insured for the claim in dispute, that party shall also be required to have its insurer(s) present by the physical presence of a representative of the insurance carrier(s) who is not that carrier's outside counsel; this representative must have full settlement authority. The foregoing requirements of attendance may be varied only by stipulation of the parties or by order of the Court for good cause shown.
Ky. R. Sup. Ct. 8