Massachusetts Voluntary Request for Settlement Conference (Pursuant to Standing Order 2-17) is a request for a pre-trial conference between the parties of a civil case to attempt to reach an amicable agreement or settlement of the issues without having to go to trial. This process is voluntary and is available for any case pending in the Trial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. There are two types of Massachusetts Voluntary Request for Settlement Conference (Pursuant to Standing Order 2-17): Early Settlement Conference (ESC) and Mediation. The Early Settlement Conference is a conference held before the trial in which the parties present their case and attempt to resolve the issue without having to go to trial. The Mediation is a similar process, but it involves a neutral third-party mediator who helps the parties reach an agreement. The mediator does not make decisions for the parties, but rather helps them come to a mutual agreement. The purpose of both the Early Settlement Conference and Mediation is to reduce the costs, time, and stress associated with going to trial, as well as to provide an amicable resolution to the dispute. Both types of settlement conferences are voluntary, and the parties can choose to opt out of the process at any time.