Canon 1103

1. With due regard for justice, all the Christian faithful

especially bishops are to strive earnestly to avoid lawsuits

among the people of God as much as possible or to resolve them

peacefully as soon as possible. 2. At the very start or even

at any point during the litigation, whenever some hope of a happy

outcome is perceived, the judge is not to neglect to encourage

and assist the parties to collaborate in working out an equitable

solution to the controversy as well as indicating suitable ways

of reaching such a solution, perhaps even employing the services

of reputable persons for mediation. 3. If, however, the case

concerns the private good of the parties, the judge should find

out whether it can profitably be resolved through a negotiated

settlement or through an arbitrated compromise.