Rule 6.012 - Settlement Conferences:(1) The court on its own motion or on the request of any party may set a mandatory settlement conference. Scheduling of a settlement conference is subject to judicial availability and a settlement conference shall not be scheduled so as to delay trial of the case. The pretrial settlement conference will not be required if either party demonstrates good cause why the settlement conference should not be held.(2) The purpose of the settlement conference is to provide a forum to resolve disputes before trial through the active participation of counsel and the Court. The attendance of all parties and their trial attorneys is required. When a party is insured, a representative of the insurance company with authority to settle the case shall be in attendance or readily available by telephone. Upon a showing of good cause, the judge conducting the settlement conference may excuse a party from personally appearing, but the party may be required to participate by telecommunication.(3) Pretrial settlement conferences shall be conducted by a judge other than the assigned trial judge unless all parties stipulate in writing that the trial judge may also conduct the settlement conference.(4) For a meaningful settlement conference to occur, all attorneys and parties must participate in good faith. The failure of any person to comply with these rules, appear at, or participate in a settlement conference, unless good cause is shown for any such failure, may result in the court imposing appropriate sanctions as described in UTCR 1.090. Cases set for a settlement conference shall retain their place on the trial docket.(5) If settlement negotiations are not successful, counsel should be prepared to proceed to trial on the date scheduled. The court will make every effort to ensure the case proceeds to trial on the date scheduled. The court will deny all requests for continuance except in case of emergency or highly unusual circumstances.(6) If a settlement is reached, the parties shall place notice of the settlement on the record before the scheduled trial date, in accordance with UTCR 6.020.(7) Upon a settlement being reached, the court will enter an order of dismissal on settlement giving the parties 30 days in which to submit the final judgment. A longer period may be allowed if requested by the parties.(8) In every case, the party shall present directly to the settlement judge, not less than seven (7) days prior to the date of each settlement conference, a detailed settlement conference statement. The date and time of hearing shall be typed on the face sheet of the statement. There is no requirement to serve the opposing party with the settlement conference statement. (a) In the case of personal injury/property damage litigation, the plaintiff shall include in the settlement conference statement a summary of facts, the injuries and/or damages, any special legal issues involved, and a settlement demand, and shall attach a copy of the most recent medical report(s).(b) The defendant shall prepare a similar statement setting forth a summary of the facts, the injuries, legal issues, defendant's settlement offer, and a copy of the most recent defense medical report(s).(c) In actions for dissolution, annulment, or separation, and actions for modification of judgments therein, the parties shall present directly to the settlement judge seven (7) days prior to the date of the settlement conference, all documents otherwise required by UTCR Chapter 8 pertaining to domestic relations proceedings.(d) In other cases, each party shall prepare an appropriate settlement statement setting forth a summary of the facts, legal issues, damages and relief demanded, together with all demands and offers.(9) Statements and other documents submitted to the judge by the parties and materials or notes prepared by the settlement conference judge are confidential and will not be placed in the trial court file in the event that the case does not settle or upon request of either party, and in that event, the materials or notes shall be destroyed by the settlement conference judge.(10) All matters eligible for a settlement conference under this rule shall be set for a trial readiness hearing before a judge no less than 90 days after the matter becomes at issue. The trial readiness hearing will provide the court the necessary information with which to schedule a settlement conference, pretrial matters, and/or trial. This hearing will occur prior to the scheduling of a settlement conference under this rule.Amended effective 2/1/2024.