District of Guam
IN BRIEF
Process summary
Judicial settlement conferences.
Under its CJRA plan adopted November 29, 1993, and local rules adopted in September 1994, the District of Guam has authorized the use of optional or voluntary settlement conferences in all civil cases. In this one-judge court, parties may request a settlement conference with a visiting judge or the assigned trial judge. If the conference is held before the trial judge, a written stipulation must be filed by all counsel consenting to the trial judge's settlement role. When a visiting judge presides, the assigned judge and the visiting judge are prohibited from discussing the case. The visiting judge is authorized to report only that the settlement conference has taken place. Participating counsel must be authorized by their clients to participate in settlement negotiations. By court order, the party or party representative also may be required to attend the settlement conference. Between January and September 1994, three cases participated in settlement conferences.
Of note
Obligations of counsel.
Counsel must discuss with each other whether the case will be submitted to a settlement conference and advise the court of their decision.
For more information
Mary L. Moran, Clerk of Court, 671-472-7411; Bridget Ann Keith, Career Law Clerk, 671-472-7292
Excerpted from
ADR and Settlement in the Federal District Courts: A Sourcebook for Judges & Lawyers, 1996,
a publication of the Federal Judicial Center and CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution