SLR 27-6.012: Judicial Settlement Conference Procedures . . . 6

T he following procedures shall apply to judicial settlement conferences in all 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 judicial 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 th e c ourt orders a conference, the judicial 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 tha t re asonable 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) At the request of the Presiding Judge the Trial Court Administrator shall coordinate judicial c overage to conduct judicial 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. Parties will select dates for the judicial settlement conference as identified by the T rial Court Administrator. Parties will identify their preferred setting as outlined in 6.012(4) and anticipated judicial settlement conference duration. All parties must agree to participate in a s ettlement conference prior to scheduling unless ordered to participate by the judge. In the event o ne party does not agree to a settlement conference they are required to motion the court. ( 3) Judicial settlement conferences before a judge for domestic relations and civil proceedings will be assessed a fee in accordance with the current Oregon Judicial Department Circuit Court Fee Schedule as approved by Oregon’s Chief Justice. Each party participating in the conference is responsible for the associated fee in accordance with ORS 21.215 and shall pay the fee in full at least two weeks prior to the scheduled settlement conference. (4) Judicial settlement conferences are scheduled for Friday’s, but from time to may be scheduled on Monday through Thursday depending on courtroom availability. All-day judicial settlement conferences will be scheduled 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM and will include a 30-minute lunch break. ( 5) If parties agree to use a private arbitrator or mediator in a civil or domestic case, they are to inform the Trial Court Administrator. Private mediator selection shall not delay trial setting as outlined in 6.012(8) without good cause and approval of the Presiding Judge. 27th Judicial District Tillamook County Circuit Court – February 1, 2026 (6) Judicial settlement conference will be conducted in-person at the Tillamook Courthouse, remotely via secure video platforms, or at alternatives locations for some case types. Civil and domestic cases judicial settlement conferences may be conducted in alternative locations with the approval o f the judge assigned to the settlement conference. Criminal case judicial settlement conferences are only to be held at the Tillamook Courthouse. (7) Each trial attorney and party or representative of a corporation or insurance company who has full au thority to settle and compromise the litigation shall personally appear at the judicial settlement conference. (8) Each judicial settlement conference shall be scheduled to allow adequate time for meaningful s ettlement discussions. Additional settlement conferences may be scheduled by the assigned judge or by agreement of all attorneys and parties. (9) The judicial 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. (10) No judge conducting a judicial 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. (11) Each attorney or party shall submit to the assigned judge, at least one business day prior to the scheduled judicial 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 s upport is involved, the proposal for and computation of support, to opposing counsel at least one business day prior to the scheduled judicial 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. (12) No submissions under SLR 6.012(11) 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. (13) The assigned judicial settlement conference judge shall inform the assigned clerk of the occurrence of the conference, the possibilities of settlement, and the estimated length of trial time, in th e ev ent 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.