Chest. Cnty. Ct. Comm. Plea. R. 212.1

As amended through February 1, 2024

Rule 212.1 - Pretrial And Settlement Conference

A. Prior to the trial of any case (i.e. jury, non-jury, equity and arbitration appeals), the court may conduct a pretrial and settlement conference. The assigned judge may schedule a pretrial and settlement conference at any other time as he or she deems appropriate.

B. No later than five (5) days in advance of a scheduled conference, each party shall file with the prothonotary and immediately serve upon the assigned judge and all other parties a conference memorandum.

Comment: These rules do not in any way alter the requirements of Pa.R.C.P. 212.1 et seq.

C. The conference memorandum shall set forth the following:

(1) A brief statement of the nature of the action; plaintiff shall set forth the claim and defendant(s) shall set forth the defenses.

(2) A statement of the salient facts of the case.

(3) A list of all monetary damages claimed, including lost earnings, loss of future earning capacity, medical expenses (itemized), etc. If relief other than monetary damages is sought, information adequate for an order granting the relief sought shall be furnished.

(4) Special comments regarding legal issues or other appropriate matters.

(5) Parties shall attach to the memorandum copies of reports from all experts expected to be called at trial.

(6) A list showing the names and addresses of all witnesses each party intends to call at trial.

(7) A schedule of all exhibits to be offered at trial.

(8) An estimate of the number of days required for trial.

D. Except in non-jury and equity cases, the conference memorandum of each party shall provide the demand, offer and status of negotiations.

E. All counsel shall have immediate access to their respective clients or those with settlement authority for the purpose of resolving the claim. Unless otherwise instructed, counsel shall not bring their respective clients to the pretrial and settlement conference.

Comment: (1) It is expected that this memorandum will not exceed 3 pages, except in unusual cases. (2) Access via telephone to the client or those with settlement authority shall be sufficient for purposes of this rule.

F. If a settlement conference is requested in a non-jury, or equity matter, the case shall be referred to the court administrator for assignment of the settlement conference only to another judge. Once the settlement conference has been concluded, the case will then be returned to the judge originally assigned to the case. All requirements for the pretrial and settlement conference as set forth above shall apply to such settlement conference, except that the conference memoranda shall be served upon the judge conducting the conference, not the assigned judge.

Chest. Cnty. Ct. Comm. Plea. R. 212.1