Additional sessions are held if needed. Program features Discovery and motions. All case activities go forward during mediation, unless stayed by court order. Party roles and sanctions. Party attendance is required at the premediation conferences with the assigned judge, unless the judge excuses the parties.
Sanctions are available for nonattendance.
The mediator decides if clients are to be present at subsequent sessions and how they are to participate. Even if clients are not required to attend, they must be available by telephone. Parties represented by an insurer need not be present, but if an insurer representative is present in the district, a representative with full settlement authority must attend the mediation. Willful failure to attend is reported to the court and may result in sanctions. If a settlement is reached, the parties put the agreement in writing.