The judge assigned to the case may order a settlement conference to be held before that judge, another district judge, or a magistrate judge. The court may require parties to be present. For parties that are not natural persons, the court may require a natural person representing that party who possesses ultimate settlement authority to attend in person. In cases where an insured party does not have full settlement authority, the court may require an official of the insurer with ultimate settlement authority to attend.

COMMENT:The court may consider assigning a settlement conference to another judicial officer rather than ordering a case to facilitative mediation when the amount in controversy is low or a party appears pro se.

February 01, 2015