What must happen if a party does not attend a settlement conference without a valid reason?

If a party does not attend a settlement conference without a valid reason, they may face sanctions. This response aligns with the principles that govern civil procedures, including those in Ontario, which emphasize the importance of participation in settlement discussions as a means of promoting efficiency in the legal process and encouraging parties to resolve matters without needing a trial.

Sanctions can encompass a range of consequences, such as cost awards, adverse inferences, or even restrictions on a party’s ability to advance their claims or defenses in the proceedings. The underlying rationale is to deter noncompliance and to ensure that all parties engage in the process seriously and in good faith. No legal system supports skipping critical steps in the process without good reason; hence, sanctions are a method to uphold the integrity of the settlement process.

The other options do not align with standard legal practices following a non-attendance at a settlement conference. Fines are not a common consequence in this scenario; re-filing a claim is not typically required, and automatic conviction does not apply in civil matters but rather in criminal proceedings. Thus, facing sanctions is the most appropriate outcome for non-attendance without valid justification.