Rule 6.012 - SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES(1) Scheduling: (a) Any party may request a settlement conference by contacting the calendar clerk to request an available date on the trial docket, in advance of the trial date. Early requests are encouraged.(b) Parties who wish to have the settlement conference assigned to a particular judge must contact that judge to determine if the judge is willing to hear the settlement conference. If so, the party must get a selection of available dates from that judge and then contact the calendar clerk to determine one that is available on the trial docket.(2) On the settlement conference date, trial assignments take precedence. The presiding judge will attempt to assign out all settlement conferences. Requests for assignment to a particular judge will be honored if possible.(3) The settlement conference judge shall not act as trial judge unless agreed to by the parties. The assigned settlement judge will determine whether a pretrial statement or other document must be submitted to the judge prior to the settlement conference, when it should be submitted, and whether it will be confidential or non-confidential. Materials or notes prepared by the settlement judge will remain confidential and will not be placed in the court record. The settlement judge will determine the appropriate method for reporting a settlement and removing the case from the active trial docket and will determine whether a trial setting conference must be held prior to the settlement conference.(4) If the parties do not agree to a settlement conference and one party submits a motion for a conference, the conference may be held and shall be conducted according to the procedure set forth in this SLR.(5) Each trial attorney and party or representative of a corporation or insurance company who has full authority to settle and compromise the litigation must personally appear at the settlement conference. The judge may permit remote appearances.(6) Each settlement conference shall be scheduled to allow adequate time for meaningful settlement discussions. Additional settlement conferences may be scheduled by the judge or by agreement of all attorneys and parties.(7) A settlement conference shall not delay the trial scheduling or a trial date.Amended effective 2/1/2024.