NC H1094

Establishes mediated settlement conferences and alternative settlement procedures for district court civil actions, excluding family law cases already covered under existing statute G.S. 7A-38.4A.

Authorizes chief district court judges to order parties to attend settlement conferences or other settlement procedures, with parties having the right to designate mediators and exemptions available for domestic violence victims.

Requires parties, attorneys, and persons with settlement authority to attend ordered conferences unless rules provide otherwise; parties who fail to attend without good cause or fail to pay mediator fees are subject to contempt and monetary sanctions.

Protects settlement conference statements and conduct from discovery and use as evidence in proceedings, with limited exceptions for enforcing settlements, sanctions hearings, bar discipline, and juvenile/elder abuse cases.

Increases the monetary threshold for stating damages in negligence and punitive damages claims from $10,000 to $25,000, effective when the bill becomes law; effective date for remaining provisions is July 1, 2014.