Southern District of Illinois

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IN BRIEF

Process summary

Judicial settlement conferences. The primary settlement program in the Southern District of Illinois is a mandatory settlement conference program, authorized by Local Rule 11(c) and the CJRA plan, which became effective December 27, 1991. All civil cases are eligible. The assigned judge or a magistrate judge selects the cases referred to settlement conferences. Parties can seek to withdraw from the mandatory referral by motion. A judge other than the assigned trial judge conducts the conference, which in most cases is held within forty-five days of the discovery cutoff, although it may be held earlier at the request of a party. Before the conference, each party files a brief, confidential settlement statement with the settlement judge. In addition to lead counsel, parties or insurers with full settlement authority are required to attend the conference, which is confidential.

Summary jury trial (SJT). One judge has made occasional use of the summary jury trial.

Of note

Obligations of counsel. Counsel are encouraged to discuss ADR with their clients. The court generally discusses the possibility of voluntary ADR use with counsel at the initial pretrial scheduling conference.

Information from court. A brochure prepared by the court to introduce ADR is distributed to all counsel at filing. Also available from the clerk of court is a partial listing of national and local ADR organizations that offer assistance to litigants.

For more information

Any U.S. magistrate judge in the Southern District of Illinois

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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