Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_15-md-02672/USCOURTS-cand-3_15-md-02672-21/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 370
Nature of Suit: Other Fraud
Cause of Action: 15:2301 Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

IN RE: VOLKSWAGEN “CLEAN DIESEL” 

MARKETING, SALES PRACTICES, AND 

PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION

_____________________________________/

This Order Relates To:

ALL ACTIONS

_______________________________________/

MDL No. 2672 CRB (JSC)

PRETRIAL ORDER NO. 6: 

APPOINTMENT OF ROBERT S. 

MUELLER III AS SETTLEMENT 

MASTER

 

The Court previously provided notice of its intent to appoint Robert S. Mueller III as 

Settlement Master. (Pretrial Order No. 5, Dkt. No. 797.) The Court gave the parties an 

opportunity to respond to the Court’s notice by January 15, 2016. Id. The date for the parties to 

respond has passed, and no party has objected to the appointment of Mr. Mueller. Accordingly, 

the Court orders as follows:

1. The Court appoints Robert S. Mueller III to facilitate settlement discussions among 

all parties to this multi-district litigation as soon as is feasible. Mr. Mueller will abide by the 

potential conflicts procedure outlined in Exhibit B to Pretrial Order No. 5. (Dkt. No. 797-2.)

2. Mr. Mueller’s authority is limited to facilitating settlement discussions. Mr. 

Mueller will not adjudicate, or assist the Court with adjudicating, any issues in these consolidated 

proceedings.

3. The Settlement Process

a. As Settlement Master, Mr. Mueller has the authority to schedule at his 

discretion any settlement discussions; to decide who shall participate in the discussions, including 

what party representatives are needed; and to choose where and how the discussions are to occur.

Case 3:15-md-02672-CRB Document 973 Filed 01/19/16 Page 1 of 3
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

b. Mr. Mueller, all counsel and parties, and any other persons participating in 

settlement discussions shall treat as “confidential information” the contents of any written 

settlement statements or other settlement-related communications, anything that happened or was 

said, and any position taken or view expressed by any participant in connection with any 

settlement conference or discussion. “Confidential information” shall not be:

(i) Disclosed to anyone not involved in the litigation;

(ii) Disclosed to the Court; or

(iii) Used for any purpose, including impeachment, in any pending or future 

proceeding.

c. To facilitate settlement discussions, Mr. Mueller may have ex parte 

communications with any party and party representative. If a party does not want Mr. Mueller to 

share any of the contents of an ex parte communication with another party, the sharing party shall 

make that desire clear to Mr. Mueller. 

d. Notwithstanding paragraph 3(b)(ii) above, upon the agreement of all 

participating parties, Mr. Mueller may communicate “confidential information” to the Court 

without violating this Order or the rules governing confidentiality of settlement discussions. Mr. 

Mueller may otherwise communicate with the Court regarding non-confidential matters, including 

procedural issues and updates on the progress of settlement communications; but, as explained 

above, he shall not communicate any substantive settlement matters to the Court absent the

parties’ agreement.

4. The non-government plaintiffs and defendants shall jointly compensate Mr. 

Mueller and any personnel working under his direction at their normal and customary hourly rates. 

Mr. Mueller may incur necessary expenses and costs at reasonable amounts to permit him to fully 

facilitate settlement of these related actions, and the non-government plaintiffs and defendants 

shall jointly reimburse Mr. Mueller for such costs and expenses. Such costs and expenses may 

consist of, but are not limited to, the engagement of additional necessary personnel, including any 

outside experts. Any disputes regarding compensation, costs and expenses, or the allocation of 

payment of such fees and costs among the parties, shall be brought to the Court’s attention. 

Case 3:15-md-02672-CRB Document 973 Filed 01/19/16 Page 2 of 3
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

The Court thanks Mr. Mueller in advance for his service to the parties and the Court.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 19, 2016

______________________________________

CHARLES R. BREYER

United States District Judge

Case 3:15-md-02672-CRB Document 973 Filed 01/19/16 Page 3 of 3