170 IAC 7-7-9 Settlement conference

Sec. 9. (a) A settlement conference shall be held no later than ten (10) business days from the date the final pleading is filed. (b) Representatives of all parties shall attend the settlement conference unless excused by the presiding officer. Parties should be fully prepared to discuss all matters involved in the proceedings, both procedural and substantive, and be fully authorized to make commitments with respect to settlement. (c) Only the complainant and the respondent may participate in the settlement conference; however, at the discretion of the presiding officer, testimonial commission staff may be directed to attend and participate in the settlement conference and to file a report that contains recommendations for resolution of the dispute. (d) The settlement conference shall be conducted as an informal meeting and will not be on the record. Settlement discussions are privileged and confidential and will not be subject to discovery and cross-examination nor be presented as evidence before the commission or any court of competent jurisdiction. (e) If parties reach a settlement agreement in principle, the parties shall memorialize the agreement in writing before ending settlement discussions. If an agreement resolving the dispute is reached at the settlement conference, and if any party to the agreement desires a commission order approving the agreement, the parties are required to jointly file the written settlement agreement with the commission within ten (10) business days of the settlement conference.