Which rule outlines the general principles regarding Calderbank offers?

The general principles regarding Calderbank offers are outlined in UCPR 42.17. Calderbank offers refer to informal settlement offers made without prejudice, meaning they cannot be referenced in court during the trial. The rule emphasizes the importance of each party's conduct in relation to making and responding to such offers and discusses the implications of these offers on costs if the case proceeds to trial. This includes considerations of whether a party's refusal to accept a reasonable settlement offer made in a Calderbank letter could influence the court's decision on the awarding of costs.

Understanding this specific rule is essential for practitioners in New South Wales, as it plays a pivotal role in encouraging parties to settle disputes amicably, rather than proceeding to trial, while also providing a mechanism to address costs in light of pre-trial negotiations. Other options, while they pertain to different aspects of civil procedure, do not specifically address the principles governing Calderbank offers.