Bigplay, I think you have something here.

<On Friday, the day we were to receive the mediation report, a request for expedited ruling was issued instead. The request was from the J's with TPL's consent. >

Let's take it a step further. What if the mediator was able to determine that the only thing keeping this from settlement was a ruling on Higgins. Would he not try to come up with settlement terms for both favorable and unfavorable ruling? Big bucks/Little bucks. I think such an agreement would not be difficult. But how does the mediator communicate this to Judge Ward? Not really a settlement, since terms are dependant on a ruling. None of the 3 categories in the reporting scheme fit. First rule, then mediator files the report of settlement, then start the 10 day clock to file settlement papers. Opty