What is a pre-trial conference in civil law?

A pre-trial conference in civil law is a meeting between the parties of a civil lawsuit that takes place before the trial date. This meeting is typically held in the court of the presiding judge, and the purpose is to allow the parties to discuss settlement options and narrow down the issues that will be debated at trial. Additionally, the parties can identify issues that will be the focus of pretrial discovery, as well as review the evidence they’ll present at the trial. The judge will also give instructions to the parties regarding the trial. The pre-trial conference is important to the judicial system as it keeps the trial process from becoming overly lengthy and expensive. In Pennsylvania, parties that have unanswered discovery requests and do not attempt to work out a resolution prior to the pre-trial conference may face sanctions. In addition, the pre-trial conference allows the judge to estimate the expected length of the trial, thus allowing them to plan accordingly. The pre-trial conference is also beneficial to the parties in that it allows them to understand the issues of the case and allows them to consider possible settlement options. Although the parties can attempt to settle the case outside of the courtroom, the judge will also have the opportunity to suggest potential solutions during the pre-trial conference. The parties can also review their evidence before trial to ensure that they have all the necessary documents and witnesses for their case. The pre-trial conference gives the parties an opportunity to understand their case and potentially settle their dispute before the expense and uncertainty of a trial.

Related FAQs

What is a lien in civil law?
What is a motion to dismiss in civil law?
What is constructive fraud in civil law?
What is a stay in civil law?
What is a settlement conference in civil law?
What is a cause of action in civil law?
What are the differences between civil law and other areas of law?
What is the difference between equitable relief and legal relief?
What is a temporary injunction in civil law?
What are the differences between contract law and tort law?

What is a pre-trial conference in civil law?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts