THE MEDIATION RULES OF CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION ASSOCIATION (CIDRA) ARTICLE 18 - PREMEDIATION CONFERENCES AND WRITTEN STATEMENTS 1) Before addressing the substance of the dispute, the parties and the mediator may discuss preliminary matters in a premediation conference. Topics discussed in such conference might include possible modification of the ground rules of the mediation proceedings, the place and time of meetings, and each party's need for documents or other information in the possession of the other. 2) At least five business days before the first scheduled substantive mediation conference, unless otherwise directed by the mediator, each party shall submit to the mediator a written statement summarizing the background and present status of the dispute and such other material and information as it deems helpful to familiarize the mediator with the dispute. The parties may agree to submit jointly certain records and other materials. The mediator may request any party to provide clarification and additional information. 3) The parties are encouraged to exchange written statements and other materials they submit to the mediator in order to further each party's understanding of the other party's viewpoints. However, any party may submit a complete confidential written statement or partial confidential written statement to the mediator who in turn shall keep confidential all information contained in such statements unless or until directed otherwise by the submitting party. At the conclusion of the mediation process, upon the request of a party, the mediator shall return to that party all written confidential materials and information provided to the mediator by that party.