LR 8. ALTERNATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

The court may order mediation or a settlement conference in
any case or category of cases. The trial judge should not
preside at settlement conferences. At the request of the
parties, commissioners and visiting judges can be scheduled
for settlement conferences. Upon agreement, the parties may
use the Okanogan County Dispute Resolution Center, visiting
judges, commissioners and others for mediation and
settlement negotiations. The procedure established in the
local rules for mandatory arbitration is available in other
cases upon agreement of the parties. The court administrator
will provide all possible assistance in arranging alternate
dispute resolution.