Rule 3.110.Conferences in Chambers

Two ideas in one sentence. Conferences may be conducted in chambers, and when they are, they run without litigants present. The first idea is a permission rather than a command, so nothing forces a conference out of the courtroom and into the judge's office.

The default on attendance is the part to notice. The rule excludes litigants, which under the definitions in UTCR 1.110 leaves the lawyers, because a party there means the litigant or the litigant's attorney, which sets the litigant apart from counsel. The usual chambers conference is therefore counsel and the judge.

Three things change that. The court may require the litigants to be present, a party may request it, and the rule also gives way where attendance is otherwise required. If you want your client in the room, say so; the request is one of the listed grounds and costs nothing to make. A self-represented litigant is both the litigant and the party, so the route in is the one the rule already provides: make the request a party is entitled to make.