Litigants in all civil cases shall consider the use of an alternative dispute resolution process
at an appropriate stage in the litigation. A judge may in his or her discretion set a civil case for
an alternative method of dispute resolution approved by the court's Civil Justice Reform Act
Expense and Delay Reduction Plan: the Mediation Program, the Settlement Officer Program,
or the Summary Jury Trial Program; provided, however, that he or she gives consideration to
any reasons advanced by the parties as to why such particular alternative method of dispute
resolution would not be in the best interests of justice.
