A pre-trial conference is a meeting of the attorneys with the judge in the case to discuss the case. There are different purposes of pre-trial conferences. Sometimes judges use them to facilitate discovery, to expedite the case, to discourage certain pre-trial activities, to settle certain evidentiary disputes, and to facilitate a settlement of the case. Sometimes at a pre-trial conference, parties will agree to certain stipulations. If the parties stipulate to a fact, that fact is presumed valid and does not have to be covered or disputed at trial.

Some jurisdictions require the attorneys in a case to attend a settlement conference, in which each side discusses certain strengths and weaknesses of their case.