pretrial conference

A pretrial conference is a meeting that takes place before a trial begins, usually attended by the judge, lawyers, and sometimes the parties involved in the case. Its purpose is to discuss the details of the case, explore possible settlements, and set a timeline for the trial. The judge may encourage both sides to resolve their differences without going to trial and help streamline the process by addressing any legal issues or evidence beforehand. This helps ensure that the trial runs smoothly and efficiently if it goes forward.