(a) Referral by Judge or by Stipulation

The Presiding Judge, individual calendar judge, or motion judge to whom a matter is assigned may order any contested civil matter pending in the Law Division referred to mediation by entering an Order of Referral. An Order of Referral may be entered by the Court sua sponte or upon the motion of any party. Standard case management orders shall include a section addressing when the matter will be considered for mediation. In addition, the parties to any such matter may file a written stipulation to mediate any case or issue between them at any time. Any stipulation shall be incorporated into the Order of Referral. Following the entry of an Order of Referral, the parties shall participate in the court-annexed mediation as set forth in these Rules. Each Order of Referral shall set a court appearance for the twenty-first day following the date of entry of the Order of Referral (unless that date falls on a court holiday, in which case the Order of Referral shall set the court appearance for the first court day following that court holiday). The parties need appear on that date only if, by that date, they have not been able to agree upon a mediator. Upon reaching agreement as to the mediator, the parties shall file the stipulation with the Court and deliver courtesy copies to the referring judge and to the Court-Annexed Mediation Supervisor at the Mandatory Arbitration Center at 222 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, Illinois 60601.

(b) Motion to Dispense with Mediation

Within fourteen (14) days after entry of the Order of Referral, a party may move to set aside or modify the order. Upon good cause shown, the court may exercise its discretion and set aside or modify the order.