A judicial settlement conference is a proceeding conducted by a District Court Judge, other than the judge to whom the case is assigned, who has family law experience. At the time of the conference, attorneys and the parties must be present.
The form and manner of conducting the settlement conference shall be in the discretion of the settlement judge. The settlement judge may not impose a settlement on the parties, but will instead seek to assist the parties to reach a resolution of all claims. Settlement conference proceedings will remain confidential, and in the event a settlement is not achieved, will not be communicated to the trial court judge. There will be no stenographic or other record made of the settlement conference. Settlement conferences will be conducted in private, and persons other than counsel and the parties may attend the settlement conference only with the consent of all parties and the settlement judge.