C.D. Cal. L.R. 16-15.5

With the

exception of subsection (a) which applies only to settlement

proceedings before a district judge or magistrate judge, the following

requirements shall apply to all ADR Procedures unless otherwise

ordered by the settlement judge or the neutral:

(a) STATEMENT OF CASE - The parties shall submit in writing

to the settlement judge, in camera (but not file), a confidential

settlement statement (not to exceed five (5) pages) setting forth

the party’s statement of the case and the party’s settlement

position, including the last offer or demand made by that party

and a separate statement of the offer or demand the party is

prepared to make at the settlement conference. This

confidential settlement statement shall be delivered to the

settlement judge at least five (5) days before the date of the

conference.

(b) APPEARANCE BY PARTY - Each party shall appear at the

settlement proceeding in person or by a representative with

final authority to settle the case, which in the case of lawsuits

brought by or against the United States or any of its agencies as

a party, shall involve the attendance of an attorney charged with

responsibility for the conduct of the case and who has final

settlement authority as provided by his or her superiors. A

corporation or other non-governmental entity satisfies this

attendance requirement if represented by a person who has final

settlement authority and who is knowledgeable about the facts

of the case. Representatives of insurers with decision-making

authority are required to attend settlement proceedings, unless

personal attendance is excused by the settlement officer. At the

discretion of the settlement officer, and only with the settlement

officer’s express authorization, parties residing outside the

District may have a representative with final settlement

authority available by telephone during the entire proceeding, in

lieu of personal appearance.

(c) APPEARANCE BY LEAD TRIAL ATTORNEY - Each party

shall be represented at the settlement proceeding by the attorney

who is expected to try the case, unless excused by the

settlement officer.

(d) PREPARATION BY PARTY - Each party shall have made a

thorough analysis of the case prior to the settlement proceeding

and shall be fully prepared to discuss all economic and non-economic factors relevant to a full and final settlement of the

case.