Rule 6.012 - SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES(1)Purpose. The purpose of a settlement conference in civil or domestic relations cases shall be to provide a forum to resolve disputes before trial through the active participation of counsel, the parties and the court. (a) The settlement conference judge will not preside at the trial unless all parties agree that the judge may preside.(b) No information will be revealed to the trial judge or placed in the file by the settlement judge or by any of the parties to the settlement.(3) Scheduling / Participants. A settlement conference will be held subject to the availability of the court, in all civil or domestic relations cases where one party requests it in writing, unless the opposing party shows good cause why the settlement conference should not be held. A settlement conference may also be held if ordered on the court's own motion. Settlement conferences are encouraged and are to be set approximately 3 weeks in advance of trial. Settlement conference fees shall be paid by both parties in advance of scheduling. Settlement conferences shall not delay the trial scheduling. A trial is not required to be set prior to a settlement conference.(a) Small claims cases and cases pending in arbitration will not be eligible for a settlement conference.(b) All attorneys and their clients must attend the settlement conference. In the case of corporate clients, a person with settlement authority must be in attendance. The court may, for good cause shown, allow appearance by telephone.(c) Settlement conferences will be scheduled for 90 minutes duration in civil cases and 60 minutes duration in domestic relations cases, unless the parties notify the court that less or more time is needed. Additional settlement conferences may be scheduled by the judge or by agreement of all attorneys and parties.(d) Higher scheduling priority for settlement conferences will be given to cases in which both parties request a settlement conference, parties have been diligent in attempting settlement outside of court processes, and/or the case involves disputes involving young children. The request for settlement conference must include this information.(3)Pretrial Statement. To facilitate settlement, the parties must provide the settlement judge with the pretrial statement at least 5 days in advance of the settlement conference. Unless indicated otherwise in the statement or to the court, the court shall keep the pre-trial statement confidential and it need not be served on opposing counsel or party. The pretrial statement shall contain the following:
(a) A brief summary and analysis of the facts and key issues involved in the litigation; and(b) The status of any settlement negotiations.(c) In domestic relations cases, each party shall also submit the following information, if the issue is in dispute:(i)Child Support: A proposed support calculation worksheet with pay stubs or similar documents for income calculations.(ii)Spousal Support: A uniform support declaration and a brief statement of the type, amount and duration of support sought and why the case is appropriate for spousal support under the statute and/or case law.(iii)Property Division: A proposed schedule of value and division of assets (See UTCR 8.010(4)). Where value is in dispute, documentation of value or appraisal, if available, must be provided.(4)Reporting of Settlement. Any settlement reached in a settlement conference shall, at the conclusion thereof, be placed on the record with parties present and participating, unless a different method of reporting the settlement is approved by the settlement judge.Yamhill Supp. L. R. 6.012
Amended effective 2/1/2024.