PRE-ARGUMENT CONFERENCE AND MEDIATION

(a) Pre-Argument Conference. All bankruptcy appeals shall be reviewed by staff attorneys to determine if a pre-argument conference would be of assistance to the BAP or the parties. Such a conference may be conducted by a judge or a staff attorney. Any party may request a pre- argument conference by motion. (b) Attendance. Any party may be required to attend a pre-argument conference, in person or by telephone. The possibility of settlement, simplification of issues, the use of mediation and any other matters which the judge or conference attorney determines may aid in disposition of the appeal may be considered at the pre-argument conference. (c) Participating Judge Disqualified. Any judge who participates in a pre-argument conference or becomes involved in mediation or settlement discussions pursuant to this rule will not sit on a panel that considers any aspect of the case. (d) Confidentiality. Statements made and information exchanged during a pre-argument conference or mediation are confidential, except to the extent disclosed by the pre-argument conference order, and shall not be disclosed by the conference judge or conference attorney nor by parties in briefs or argument. (e) Pre-Argument Conference Order. To effectuate the purposes and results of this rule, a judge or the panel clerk at the request of the conference attorney shall enter a pre-argument conference order.