(a) "Case Evaluation" as set forth in Sections 15 and 18 of this Rule, is a process in which a neutral person or three-person panel, called an evaluator or evaluation panel, after receiving brief presentations by the parties summarizing their positions, identifies the central issues in dispute, as well as areas of agreement, provides the parties with an assessment of the relative strengths and weaknesses of their case, and may offer an evaluation of the case.(b) "Court" means any court exercising civil jurisdiction subject to the Tennessee Supreme Court Rules.(c) "Days" for purposes of the deadlines imposed by this Rule, means calendar days.(d) "Eligible Civil Action" includes any civil action filed in a Court in which the Court has continuing jurisdiction, except civil commitments, adoption proceedings, habeas corpus and extraordinary writs, or juvenile delinquency cases. The term "Extraordinary writs" does not encompass claims or applications for injunctive relief.(e) "Judicial Officer" serves by election or continuing appointment in a judicial office, such as: 1) a sitting judge in a Court; or 2) a Juvenile Referee, Divorce Referee, Referee, and Special Master.(f) "Judicial Settlement Conference" as set forth in Section 16 of this Rule, is a mediation conducted by a Judicial Officer selected by the Court.(g) "Mini-Trial" as set forth in Sections 14 and 19 of this Rule, is a settlement process in which each side presents an abbreviated summary of its case to the parties or representatives of the parties who are authorized to settle the case. A neutral person may preside over the proceeding. Following the presentation, the parties or their representatives seek a negotiated settlement of the dispute.(h) "Non-Binding Arbitration" as set forth in Sections 13 and 17 of this Rule , is a process in which a neutral person or a panel, called an arbitrator or an arbitration panel, considers the facts and arguments presented by the parties and renders a decision which is non-binding.(i) "Order of Reference" is a written or standing order of a court entered in or related to an Eligible Civil Action in accordance with Section 3 of this Rule directing the parties to participate in a Rule 31A ADR Proceeding.(j) "Rule 31A ADR Proceeding" is an alternative dispute resolution proceeding in or related to an Eligible Civil Action, including, but not limited to "Case Evaluations", "Judicial Settlement Conferences", "Mini-Trials", "Non-Binding Arbitrations", or "Summary Jury Trials".(k) A "Rule 31A Neutral" is any impartial person, licensed as an attorney, who acts as a guide in a Rule 31A ADR Proceeding. Rule 31A Neutrals are required to be licensed attorneys.(l) A "Summary Jury Trial" as set forth in Section 20 of this Rule, is an abbreviated trial with a jury in which litigants present their evidence in an expedited fashion. The litigants and the jury are guided by a presiding neutral person. After an advisory verdict from the jury, the presiding neutral person may assist the litigants in a negotiated settlement of their controversy.