Rule 6.012 - PRE-TRIAL SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE PROCEDURESThe following procedures shall apply to pre-trial settlement conferences in all pending civil and domestic relations cases, when ordered by the court pursuant to UTCR 6.010, 6.200, or requested by a party or the party's attorney:
(1) If one party requests a pre-trial settlement conference, the settlement conference shall be held and shall be conducted according to the procedures set forth in this rule. Except in the case where the court orders a conference, the pre-trial settlement conference will not be required if the opposing party demonstrates good cause why the settlement conference should not be held. The judge conducting the settlement conference may require the party requesting a conference to certify that reasonable efforts to achieve settlement have been attempted by the parties and that they have been unable to resolve the controversy without the court's assistance.(2) The Presiding Judge shall designate a judge or judges who shall conduct pre-trial settlement conferences. In the event a party requests a specific judge to conduct a conference, that request shall be honored as fully as practical under the circumstances.(3) Each trial attorney and party or representative of a corporation or insurance company who has full authority to settle and compromise the litigation shall personally appear at the pre-trial settlement conference. However, the assigned judge may permit telephone appearances for good cause.(4) Each pre-trial settlement conference shall be scheduled to allow adequate time for meaningful settlement discussions. Additional settlement conferences may be scheduled by the assigned judge or by agreement of all attorneys and parties.(5) The pre-trial settlement conference shall not delay the trial scheduling, but the Presiding Judge may delegate to the assigned judge limited or unlimited authority to continue the trial date by the mutual agreement of the parties and their attorneys.(6) No judge conducting a pre-trial settlement conference under this rule shall be permitted to act as trial judge if the case does not settle, unless the parties stipulate to such procedure.(7) Each attorney or party shall submit to the assigned judge, at least one business day prior to the scheduled pre-trial settlement conference, information regarding the case. In domestic relations cases, counsel shall also provide a copy of the proposed distribution of assets and liabilities, and, if support is involved, the proposal for and computation of support, to opposing counsel at least one business day prior to the scheduled pre-trial settlement conference. Except for the information described in the preceding sentence, any documents or information submitted to the judge shall be presumed confidential, unless a copy is provided to the opposing side(s). The assigned judge shall make available forms for the submission of such information, but an attorney or party may submit such other or further information to the judge to inform the court of the issues in the case.(8) No submissions under SLR 6.012(7) shall be included in the court file, nor shall any notes prepared by the judge be filed or otherwise disclosed, except by permission of the attorneys and/or parties or by court order.(9) The assigned pre-trial settlement conference judge shall inform the calendar clerk of the occurrence of the conference, the possibilities of settlement, and the estimated length of trial time, in the event the case does not settle at the conference. No other information regarding the case or the conference shall be communicated to the trial judge or the jury.(10) The Presiding Judge may require a trial-setting conference prior to, or following, the pre-trial settlement conference, pursuant to UTCR 6.010.Multnomah Supp. L. R. 6.012
Amended effective 2/1/2024.