Beaver Cnty. C.P. Local Rules of Civil Procedure LR 212.3

(a) The Court may request the presence of an official court stenographer, or utilize the digital

audio recording system, during a pre-trial conference.

(b) The presiding judge shall recommend a settlement amount to counsel for parties if the

judge determines that he or she can fairly evaluate the case for settlement purposes. The

recommendation and the reasons in support thereof shall be included in the stenographer's notes

as well as the parties' settlement positions and the reasons therefore.

(c) The court may make a finding that a party has engaged in obdurate conduct in regard to

the party's settlement position either sua sponte or on petition of another party. In either event,

not later than ten (10) days after a jury verdict or a decision of the court, upon petition of a party

or the court, a rule shall be issued to show cause why counsel fees should not be awarded under

42 Pa.C.S.A. § 2503(7). The Petition Practice set forth in Pa.R.C.P. No. 206.1 et seq. will apply.

(d) The court should consider and weigh the following factors determining whether or not to

impose sanctions:

1. The facts and circumstances which existed at the time of the pre-trial conference;

2. Whether there was a change in such facts or circumstances to account for a variation

between the plaintiff's demand, the defendant's offer and the jury's verdict;

3. The final settlement demand and offer;

4. The settlement value;

5. Whether there was substantial merit to the parties' claim or defense, and;

6. Whether a party's settlement position had a reasonable basis in law or in fact.