What is a pretrial conference?

A pretrial conference is fundamentally a meeting designed to streamline the legal process before a trial officially begins. During this meeting, the judge meets with the attorneys representing the parties involved in a case. The primary purpose is to discuss critical elements of the case, such as the status of discovery, potential settlements, and any pretrial motions that have been filed. This conference serves to clarify the issues at hand, establish timelines, and ensure that both parties are prepared for the subsequent stages of the legal process.

Through this structured dialogue, the judge can also provide guidance on what is expected at trial, potentially encourage settlement discussions, and help to identify any complexities that may need to be addressed. Thus, defining a pretrial conference as a meeting between a judge and counsel to discuss a case accurately captures its role in promoting efficiency and clarity in the legal proceedings that follow.