Alternative Dispute Resolution. Upon motion of any party, or sua sponte, any

judicial officer may require parties in civil cases to consider some form of alternative dispute resolution process (“ADR”), including but not limited to, mediation, early neutral evaluation, minitrial, or arbitration, as follows: (a) Mediation may be conducted under the auspices of a private professional mediator or a judicial officer. (c) (b) All communications in ADR proceedings are confidential, they are not subject to discovery, and such communications may not be disclosed to anyone other than the parties and ADR participants. Positions taken and statements or concessions made during the mediation process shall not be admissible as evidence during any court proceedings. The mediator shall not be called or listed as a witness in, nor compelled to produce documents related to, any matter in which such mediator shall have served.

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