Any extensions of the briefing schedule or other procedural adjustments are accomplished through orders like those used in nonconference cases. Consequently, conference program cases can be handled by the clerk's office without any special procedures, and the work of the clerk's office in processing a case is not suspended by assignment to the program. Confidentiality All statements made by the parties or their counsel in the course of proceedings pursuant to the general order, and all documents specifically prepared for use in such proceedings, shall be without prejudice, and shall not be binding on the parties unless a settlement agreement is reached. Such statements and documents shall not be quoted, cited, referred to, or otherwise used in the course of the appeal, or in any other proceeding, except as they may be admissible in a proceeding arising out of a settlement agreement, and they shall be privileged from discovery except in such a proceeding. Documents created for the program and furnished to the conference attorney will not be included in the court's file.
Confidentiality is required with respect to all proceedings pursuant to the general order.
Information concerning conferences or settlement discussions shall neither be made known to the court nor disclosed to anyone not involved therein, by either the conference attorney, the parties, or their counsel, except insofar as the information may be admissible in a proceeding arising out of a settlement agreement. The conference attorney may report to the court, when requested, whether active settlement discussions are under way, thus warranting a rescheduling of briefing or disposition. The confidentiality of any settlement agreement will be governed by the terms of that agreement and applicable law. If a party or attorney fails to comply with conference procedures, the court may assess sanctions for violation of the court's order assigning the case to the program. The appellate conference attorney, who is employed by the court, conducts all conferences in the program.