This form is a sample letter in Word format covering the subject matter of the title of the form.
This form is a sample letter in Word format covering the subject matter of the title of the form.
Settlement conferences conducted by this Court are generally scheduled for two to three hours and may be one of two such sessions in a given day. Consequently, lengthy opening sessions/statements typical of some private mediations will generally not be entertained by the Court unless permission is obtained in advance.
What is a settlement conference? A settlement conference is a meeting between the parties (and counsel, if represented) during which the parties attempt to settle issues and avoid trial.
An MSC is a meeting of the parties as part of a case resolution plan. The purpose of the MSC is for the parties to discuss the disputed issues and facts of the case in an effort to resolve their matter by agreement.
The court shall enter a scheduling order that sets the date for the conference, a deadline for furnishing memoranda, and other matters appropriate in the circumstances of the case. A schedule shall not be modified except by leave of court upon a showing of good cause.
In a settlement conference, a judge or volunteer attorney assists the parties by evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the case and attempting to negotiate a settlement of the dispute, but without making any decisions or orders in the case.
At the MSC your attorney will “meet and confer” with opposing counsel so they can discuss the issues and work toward a resolution. Some judges will get involved in the settlement negotiations by holding “chamber conferences,” but that might not be the case for you, since some judges don't bother.