(a) Programs of alternative procedures to resolve civil disputes, including but not limited to those of arbitration, mediation, settlement conference, mini-trial, and summary jury trial, are approved and authorized and shall be administered by the court administrator. The specific program shall be noticed by an order on a form approved by the presiding judge with a section thereof for special directions of the court.

(b) Except for lower court appeals or cases subject to arbitration, after the case has been placed on the active calendar and at least thirty (30) days prior to trial, the court on its own motion or that of any party, after consultation with the parties, may order a civil case referred to a specific alternative dispute resolution program. These programs shall be available to the justice courts pursuant to A.R.S. § 22-201H.

(c) The referring court may impose sanctions pursuant to Rule 16(h), Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure, where parties or counsel fail to appear, do not participate in good faith or are not substantially prepared fully to do so, or fail to obey a pretrial order.