D. Me. Loc. R. 16.4

(a) In General

Parties are encouraged to use judicial settlement conferences conducted by

judges in this District or any other private alternative dispute resolution (ADR)

process on which they can agree, including mediation, early neutral

evaluation, nonbinding summary trial, and arbitration.

(b) Consideration of ADR

(1) Standard Track Cases. Under the scheduling order issued in all

Standard Track cases, the parties must confer with each other, and

counsel must consult with their clients, about ADR options.

(2) Complex Track Cases. Before the initial scheduling conference, the

parties must confer with each other, and counsel must consult with their

clients, about ADR options and must be prepared to discuss those

options with the judge at the initial scheduling conference.

(3) Exempted Actions. Exempted from the requirement to consider and

consult about ADR are actions assigned under Local Rule 16.1 to the

Administrative Track or the Prisoner Civil Rights Track.

(c) Judicial Settlement Conferences

The district judges, magistrate judges, and bankruptcy judges of this District

are available to conduct judicial settlement conferences with counsel and the

parties. Requesting a judicial settlement conference is voluntary. If all parties

consent, a judge assigned to the matter may conduct the settlement conference.

To request a judicial settlement conference, one of the parties should contact

the Clerk. All decision makers necessary to make settlement decisions for each

party must be available for the conference.

(d) Confidentiality

Confidential communications of the parties, counsel, neutrals, or judges made

during any ADR proceedings may not be disclosed to others. Such

communications are not admissible in any later proceeding, including the trial

of the matter, except as the Federal Rules of Evidence permit.