The goal of a settlement conference is to assist the parties in negotiating a resolution of all or part of their dispute. A settlement conference may either be voluntary or ordered by the court. It may be conducted by the judge assigned to the case, another assigned judge, a volunteer attorney, or a private judge who evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the case without issuing any decisions or orders.
For more information, please refer to the Settlement Conference Frequently Asked Questions.
If you are interested in serving as a Settlement Attorney, please refer to the Temporary Judge/Settlement Attorney Program.
Civil Settlement Conference Program (CSCP) General Rules:
Settlement conference briefs are to be submitted directly to the settlement conference judge's department (not filed) at least five (5) court days prior to the hearing. Settlement Conference Briefs are not eligible for e-File.
Settlement conferences are usually calendared on Friday mornings or afternoons and may be calendared by calling the courtroom clerk in the department indicated in list of Civil Settlement Conference Program (CSCP) Available Judicial Officers. Please be advised that settlement conferences may be calendared 60 to 90 days from the date of reservation. The court expects compliance with San Diego Superior Court Local Rules 2.2.1, 2.2.2, and 2.2.3.