Parties and insurance representatives must attend the settlement conference or, with leave of the court, be available by telephone. The magistrate judge begins the conference with a joint session, then holds private caucuses with each side. The magistrate judge presents to each side only the information authorized by the other side and discusses with each side the strengths and weaknesses of their case. Settlement conferences are scheduled for a half-day, although some require a full day. At the end of the settlement conference, the magistrate judge reports to the assigned judge only whether the case has settled.
Nothing is filed unless the parties want to put a settlement agreement on the record.
Of note Obligations of counsel. The CJRA advisory group is reviewing the district's experience with voluntary ADR and will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the program.