This rule applies to district courts in North Dakota and states that courts may direct attorneys of parties and parties without attorneys to participate in a conference prior to trial in order to discuss using alternative dispute resolution, among other topics.
North Dakota Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 16: Pretrial Conferences; Scheduling; Management
Supreme Court of North Dakota. Amended July 1, 1981; amended December 1, 2011https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-resources/rules/ndrcivp/16-5