Title GOV, California Gov. Code

(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (1) Current law provides that aggrieved agencies, project proponents, and affected residents may bring suit against the land use decisions of state and local governmental agencies. In practical terms, nearly anyone can …

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any action brought in the superior court relating to any of the following subjects may be subject to a mediation proceeding conducted pursuant to this chapter: (1) The approval or denial by a public agency of any development project…

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, all time limits with respect to an action shall be tolled while the mediator conducts the mediation, pursuant to this chapter. (b) Mediations conducted by a mediator pursuant to this chapter that involve less than a quorum…

If the mediation does not resolve the action, the court may, in its discretion, schedule a settlement conference before a judge of the superior court. If the action is later heard on its merits, the judge hearing the action shall not be the same judge who conducted the settlement…