[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 24, Volume 1] [Revised as of April 1, 2004] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 24CFR180.445] [Page 740] TITLE 24--HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER I--OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT PART 180_CONSOLIDATED HUD HEARING PROCEDURES FOR CIVIL RIGHTS MATTERS --Table of Contents Subpart D_Proceedings Prior to Hearing Sec. 180.445 Settlement negotiations before a settlement judge. (a) Appointment of settlement judge. The ALJ, upon the motion of a party or upon his or her own motion, may request the Chief ALJ to appoint another ALJ to conduct settlement negotiations. The order appointing the settlement judge may confine the scope of settlement negotiations to specified issues. The order shall direct the settlement judge to report to the Chief ALJ within specified time periods. (b) Duties of settlement judge. (1) The settlement judge shall convene and preside over conferences and settlement negotiations between the parties and assess the practicalities of a potential settlement. (2) The settlement judge shall report to the Chief ALJ describing the status of the settlement negotiations, evaluating settlement prospects, and recommending the termination or continuation of the settlement negotiations. (c) Termination of settlement negotiations. Settlement negotiations shall terminate upon the order of the chief ALJ issued after consultation with the settlement judge. The conduct of settlement negotiations shall not unduly delay the commencement of the hearing.