The Court requires that counsel for each party or another person with actual authority to settle the case attend each mediation session. Additionally, the parties themselves are strongly encouraged to attend the sessions. Mediators have the discretion to call or write to parties to request their attendance. The Court has given the mediators this authority because, over the years, it has learned that a mediation is likely to be most efficient and productive when persons with a real interest in the outcome of the case, as well as their counsel, participate in the discussions.