All civil cases are eligible.
The assigned judge or a magistrate judge selects the cases referred to settlement conferences. Parties can seek to withdraw from the mandatory referral by motion. A judge other than the assigned trial judge conducts the conference, which in most cases is held within forty-five days of the discovery cutoff, although it may be held earlier at the request of a party. Before the conference, each party files a brief, confidential settlement statement with the settlement judge. In addition to lead counsel, parties or insurers with full settlement authority are required to attend the conference, which is confidential.