(A) Mediation. The court may enter an order referring the case to mediation. The referral to mediation will not alter any of the times specified in these Rules, unless the parties stipulate or the court finds that there is good cause for doing so.

   (B) Scheduling and Case Progression. As soon as the first responsive pleading is filed, the court shall enter an order setting the matter for trial, taking into consideration the Act, these Rules, and the Case Progression Standards for county court civil actions set forth in Neb. Ct. R. § 6-101. The trial date is subject to a later continuance for good cause shown. The court may enter an order that states the dates for completing discovery, filing specified motions, or being prepared for trial, such dates shall not be in conflict with these Rules or timelines set forth in the Act.

   (C) Witnesses and Exhibits. The court may enter an order that requires the parties or sides to identify the witnesses and documents that they may use at trial. The order may impose such requirements as the court deems appropriate, including a requirement that the parties or sides serve disclosures at specified times, file a joint statement of witnesses and exhibits, or participate in a pretrial conference.

§ 6-2209 adopted December 8, 2021, effective January 1, 2022; § 6-2209(B) amended December 22, 2021, effective January 1, 2022.