Rule 6: Pretrial Conferences

A. The court may in its discretion direct the attorneys for the parties and any unrepresented parties to appear before it for a conference or conferences before trial for such purposes as:

1. expediting the disposition of the action;

2. establishing early and continuing control so that the case will not be protracted because of lack of management;

3. discouraging wasteful pretrial activities;

4. improving the quality of the trial through more thorough preparation, and;

5. facilitating the settlement of the case.

A pretrial order may be entered, and if entered it will control the subsequent proceedings unless modified at trial to prevent manifest injustice.

B. Failure to appear at a conference, appearance at a conference substantially unprepared or failure to participate in good faith may result in any of the following sanctions:

1. an order entered by default;

2. assessment of expenses and fees (either against a party or the attorney individually); or

3. such other order as the court may deem just and appropriate.

C. The court may in its discretion schedule a pretrial mediation conference to be facilitated by a staff member of the court in accordance with Rule 48, for the purpose of facilitating settlement of the case.