Rule 12.  Mediation Conferences.

At any time after a proceeding is initiated, any party may file with the administrative law judge and serve upon all other parties a request for a mediation conference.  If the request is granted, the conference shall be conducted by any available administrative law judge other than the assigned administrative law judge.  All of the discussions at the mediation conference shall remain confidential and shall not be disclosed to the administrative law judge assigned to the case.  Statements at the mediation conference shall not be admissible evidence for any purpose in any other proceeding.  Participation in a mediation conference shall constitute an agreement by all parties and attorneys not to call the administrative law judge conducting the mediation as a witness to the matters discussed in the mediation conference in any subsequent proceeding.  An administrative law judge may require a mediation conference on the administrative law judge's own motion.