Rule 6.010.Conferences in Civil Proceedings
Current through August 1, 2026 · Last verified September 12, 2026
Full Text of Rule 6.010
Plain-English Summary
This rule gives the court a tool and leaves the decision to use it with the court. In any civil proceeding the judge may, in the judge's discretion, order the parties in for a conference. Nothing in the rule gives a party the right to demand one. The rule also fixes no time for a conference and sets no limit on how often the court may call one.
The rule then supplies the agenda. The court may take up simplifying the issues, whether the pleadings need amending, admissions of fact and of documents that would spare everyone unnecessary proof or delay, capping the number of expert witnesses, the advisability of sending issues to a master for findings to be used as evidence when trial is to be by jury, a reference in whole or in part, the possibility of settlement, and anything else that would help dispose of the action. Read as a list, it is a fair preview of what a judge is likely to ask about, so come prepared on each item.
Appearance is flexible. Conferences may be by personal appearance, except that any party may request, or the court may arrange for, a conference by remote means. The rule attaches no showing to the request. It also does not say the court must grant one.
Settlement sits on the list, but this rule is not the settlement conference rule. The rule's own 1991 note points to each court's SLR 6.012 and to UTCR 6.200, the rule that lets each judicial district adopt that local settlement conference procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ask the judge to hold a pretrial conference in my civil case?
You can ask, and the rule leaves the answer to the court. It is written as a power the court may exercise in its discretion, not as a right a party can invoke. Your district may say more in its own supplementary local rules, and the assigned judge's own practices often settle it.
What does the court cover at a conference under this rule?
The rule lists eight subjects: simplifying the issues, whether the pleadings should be amended, admissions of fact and of documents that avoid unnecessary proof or delay, limiting the number of expert witnesses, referring issues to a master for findings to be used as evidence when trial is to be by jury, a reference in whole or in part, possible settlement, and any other matter that would help dispose of the action.
The last item is open, so a judge can raise scheduling, discovery friction, or trial logistics under it.
Do I have to appear in person?
Not necessarily, and the rule does not settle it for you. Conferences may be by personal appearance, except that any party may request, or the court may arrange for, a conference by remote means. What you get is the right to ask, not a right to be excused from appearing.
Is this the same thing as a settlement conference?
No. Settlement is one of the subjects a conference under this rule may cover, but the pretrial settlement conference has its own machinery. The rule's 1991 note sends you to each court's SLR 6.012 and to UTCR 6.200 for that procedure.
What is a reference to a master, and why is it on the list?
A reference sends part of the case, or all of it, to someone other than the trial judge to work through and report on. The rule lets the court consider a preliminary reference of issues to a master for findings that will then be used as evidence when the trial is to be by jury, and separately a reference in whole or in part.
The rule only makes these items conference subjects. It does not itself authorize a reference or set out how one runs.