pretrial conference

Conference among the opposing attorneys (or pro se parties) and the judge called at the discretion of the court to narrow the issues to be tried and to make efforts to settle the case without a trial.

A meeting of the judge and lawyers to discuss which matters should be presented to the jury, to review evidence and witnesses, to set a timetable, and to discuss the settlement of the case.

A meeting of the judge and lawyers to plan the trial, to discuss which matters should be presented to the jury, to review proposed evidence and witnesses, and to set a trial schedule. Typically, the judge and the parties also discuss the possibility of settlement of the case.

Scheduling conference at which trial, motion cut-off, and other dates are set.