Rule DR-4. Conciliation Court

A. Established. A Family Conciliation Court is established in accordance with and Arizona Revised Statutes Title 25, Chapter 3, Article 7 the Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure, for the purpose of effecting 1) a reconciliation of spouses or 2) an amicable adjustment or 3) settlement of issues. B. Assignment of Judge. The presiding judge may designate a superior court judge to act as judge of the Family Conciliation Court pursuant to A.R.S. § 25-381.04. If no such designation is made, each judge assigned a matter that is before the conciliation court shall act as the judge of the conciliation court in the matter. C. Actions Subject to Consideration. When it appears from a pleading or other paper filed with the court that legal decision making, parenting time, or visitation is an issue in a paternity, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment action, the case may be transferred to the conciliation court by the assigned judge. D. Mandatory Attendance. Unless excused by the court for good cause shown, when the jurisdiction of the conciliation court is invoked, the parties shall attend at least one hearing or conference as set by the conciliation court judge and may be ordered to attend other hearings or conferences. An individual that fails to appear at such conference may be subject to a fine imposed by the court. E. Mandatory Stay. Only a written petition for conciliation court invokes the stay in A.R.S. Title 25, Chapter 3, Article 7. F. Pending Motions and Hearings. Whenever a petition invoking the jurisdiction of the conciliation court is filed, pending hearings or orders to show cause shall not be vacated, but shall be assigned to the assigned judge who may proceed to hear the matters and enter appropriate orders during the pendency of conciliation efforts. G. Procedure. When jurisdiction is invoked by petition, the matter shall be transferred to the Family Conciliation Court, and a mandatory conference shall be set by the Office of Conciliation Services. H. Appointment of Mediator l not be vacated, but shall be assigned to the assigned judge who may proceed to hear the matters and enter appropriate orders during the pendency of conciliation efforts. G. Procedure. When jurisdiction is invoked by petition, the matter shall be transferred to the Family Conciliation Court, and a mandatory conference shall be set by the Office of Conciliation Services. H. Appointment of Mediator. The Office of Conciliation Services may assign a mediator employed by the courts or an outside mediator to conduct the hearing/conference set forth in A.R.S. § 25-381.16. The parties may also contract with an outside mediator for services in which event they shall be directly responsible for any fee. Where the parties desire to employ an outside mediator but cannot agree on the selection, each party shall submit the names of two qualified persons and the court shall make the appointment. I. Mediation of Legal Decision Making or Parenting Time. In actions concerning legal decision making, parenting time, or a or access to a child (including actions for dissolution, separation, annulment, paternity, legal decision making, private dependency, or guardianship), the assigned mediator may also address those issues while the case is in the jurisdiction of the conciliation court and prepare agreements resolving issues regarding legal decision making, parenting time, and visitation. J. Agreements. Agreements reached between the parties as a result of counseling or mediation shall be in writing and approved by the parties; no such agreement is binding until approved by the court by separate order or minute entry. K. Reports. After each hearing or conference held, the designated person conducting the hearing or conference shall submit a report regarding the results of the hearing to the assigned judge. The report shall indicate who attended and if further proceedings are requested and scheduled. L. Duration parties; no such agreement is binding until approved by the court by separate order or minute entry. K. Reports. After each hearing or conference held, the designated person conducting the hearing or conference shall submit a report regarding the results of the hearing to the assigned judge. The report shall indicate who attended and if further proceedings are requested and scheduled. L. Duration. The jurisdiction of the conciliation court shall terminate after 60 days unless extended by the assigned judge or when a report is filed indicating no further sessions are scheduled within the conciliation court.