Settlement and Pretrial Conferences

(a) Settlement Conference. At the time of certification of the matter as ready for trial or at any time after the discovery cut-off date, the court may schedule a settlement conference which shall be attended by counsel and the parties, who are expected to be fully prepared to discuss the settlement of the matter. (b) Pre-Trial Conference. Prior to Trial, counsel shall confer in a good faith effort to identify matters not in contention, resolve disputed questions without need for court intervention and further discuss settlement of the case. Where a pre-trial conference is scheduled, or otherwise prior to the commencement of opening statements, counsel shall be prepared to discuss all matters as to which there is disagreement between the parties and settlement of the matter, and the court may require the parties to prepare a written stipulation of undisputed facts. (c) Consultation Regarding Expert Testimony. The court presiding over a non-jury trial or hearing may direct that prior, or during, the trial or hearing, counsel for the parties consult in good faith to identify those aspects of their respective experts' anticipated testimony that are not in dispute. The court may further direct that any agreements reached in this regard shall be reduced to a written stipulation.