What is the primary purpose of a case conference?

The primary purpose of a case conference is to facilitate a meeting for case management and potential resolution. This process is designed to bring all parties involved in a case together, including lawyers and sometimes the parties themselves, to discuss the issues at hand and explore opportunities for resolution before the matter progresses through the court system.

During a case conference, the participants can review the case status, identify the key issues, discuss settlement options, and establish timelines for various stages of the proceedings. The primary aim is to manage the case efficiently and to encourage resolutions that can potentially save time and resources for both the court and the parties. This collaborative approach aligns with the overarching goal of the judicial system to resolve disputes fairly and expediently.

In contrast, determining guilt or innocence is the role of a trial, and assessing the credibility of witness testimonies occurs during the evidence phase of a trial. Finalizing court orders and judgments happens at later stages in the judicial process rather than during the case conference itself. Thus, the case conference serves a unique and critical purpose focused on management and resolution rather than on adjudication or testimony evaluation.