4:5B-3. Settlement Conferences

The court may conduct a settlement conference or schedule any other settlement event in any civil action on its or a party's request. Except in Track IV cases, there shall be no more than one court-initiated or court-mandated settlement conference or other settlement event prior to the trial date. Notwithstanding the conduct of a settlement conference or other settlement event as herein provided, a second settlement conference may be conducted on the trial date and immediately prior to the commencement of trial, provided that trial shall then forthwith proceed if settlement is not reached. The settlement conference need not be conducted by the designated pretrial judge.