A. Mandatory Settlement Conferences; Mediation; Objectives. Except for lower court appeals and cases subject to compulsory arbitration, the parties, the attorneys for the parties and, if appropriate, representatives of the parties having authority to settle, shall participate in good faith in person or telephonically with the permission of the court, in private mediation, or a settlement conference with the court prior to trial.

B. Discretion to Transfer. The court, upon its own motion, or upon the motion of a party, may transfer any settlement conference to another division of the court willing to conduct the settlement conference.

C. Sanctions. Upon good cause having been shown, the court may impose sanctions on any party, attorney, or party representative that fails to participate in good faith in any settlement conference or mediation.