(a) Definition. A “settlement conference” is a court event at which a judicial officer attempts to facilitate a voluntary settlement between the parties.

(b) Setting a Settlement Conference. The court may set a settlement conference on request of any party or on the court's own motion.

(c) Notice of a Settlement Conference. The court must notify the parties of the date, time, and place of a settlement conference, but it is not required to provide notice to an interested person, even when the interested person has filed a demand for notice.

(d) Attendance at a Settlement Conference. All parties and their attorneys must attend a settlement conference unless the court orders otherwise.

(e) Record. Settlement discussions are not recorded by a certified reporter or an electronic recording system. If the parties reach a settlement, the terms of the settlement must either be placed on the record and entered in the minutes or be included in a writing signed by the parties.

(f) Communication with Parties. The judicial officer may communicate with each party during the conference outside the presence of the other parties.

(g) Evidence. Documents or other things may be presented to the judicial officer who is conducting the settlement conference, but those items are not admitted into evidence. Testimony may be taken only in support of, or to make a record of, the parties' agreement.