PRETRIAL ORDER

A. Purposes

A pretrial conference is used for trial preparation to:

1. Clarify issues.

2. Amend pleadings.

3. Identify witnesses and documents.

4. Discuss settlement or extrajudicial procedures (i.e., alternate dispute resolutions, special proceedings).

B. Scheduling

In most cases, a judge is required to issue a scheduling order within 120 days after the complaint is filed.

C. Limits

A pretrial conference may not be used to:

1. Serve as a substitute for trial.

2. Steal opponent’s trial preparation.