SECTIONS 962 - California Statutes

GOVERNMENT CODE

SECTION 962

962. Upon entry of a verdict against a public entity in excess of
one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in an action for personal
injury or wrongful death, the public entity may, within the time set
in Section 659 of the Code of Civil Procedure, request in writing a
mandatory settlement conference for the purpose of discussing
available methods by which the judgment shall be satisfied. The court
shall then set a date for the conference. The request may be noticed
with any motions pursuant to Sections 984 and 985 of the Government
Code or Section 659 of the Code of Civil Procedure. At the conference
the parties shall negotiate in good faith and shall review and
consider structured payment plans presented by either party. The
conference shall not occur until after determination of any motion
for a new trial, motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict,
motion for remittitur and motion for additur, but shall occur before
hearing on any motions pursuant to Sections 984 and 985.
The Judicial Council shall adopt rules providing for a reasonable
extension of the time for filing the notice of appeal from a judgment
on the verdict to permit a request for the mandatory settlement
conference and the mandatory settlement conference itself.