Klickitat/Skamania Superior Courts

		
		
                                          RULE NO. 6
                        PRE-TRIAL STATUS AND SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES


I.  Civil Pre-Trial Conferences

     A.  In all civil cases the Court may order a pre-trial conference on its
         own motion or that of any party. Pre-trial conferences in domestic relations
         cases are governed by Rule No. 7. The purpose of the pre-trial conference is
         to consider:

         1. The simplification of the issues;

         2. The necessity or the desirability of amendments to pleadings;

         3. The possibility of obtaining admissions of fact and of documents which
            will void unnecessary proof;

         4. The list of witnesses (including experts) which each party intends
            to call; and

         5. Such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the action

     B.  Unless otherwise ordered by the Court all pre-trial conferences shall be
         conducted at least two weeks before trial.

     C.  Attorneys for all parties shall personally attend the pre-trial conference
         unless the Court orders the conference to be heard by telephone.

     D.  The pre-trial conference shall be conducted by the Judge informally and shall
         not be recorded unless so ordered.

     E.  Any joint proposed or final pre-trial order shall be substantially in the form
         of exemplar No. 1.


II.  Criminal Pre-Trial Status Conferences

     Repealed - Effective September 1, 2009



III. Civil Settlement Conferences

     A.  Settlement conferences are encouraged but are voluntary and may be requested
         by any party.

     B.  A party requesting a settlement conference shall do so when requesting a
         trial date.

     C.  The Court Administrator shall designate the settlement conference Judge and
         shall set the date for the settlement conference at least two weeks prior to
         the trial date.

         1. Settlement conferences may be held before a Court Commissioner, Judge or
            Pro-Tem Judge as determined by the Court.

     D.  All attorneys, parties including representatives from any insurer shall be
         personally present or immediately available to the attorneys representing them
         by telephone.

     E.  Proceedings of the settlement conference shall be privileged and not reported
         or recorded. No party shall be bound unless a settlement is reached. When a
         settlement has been reached, the Judge may, in his or her discretion, order
         the settlement agreement to be recorded or reported. The Judge or Commissioner,
         presiding over a settlement conference, shall be disqualified from acting as a
         Trial Judge in the matter unless all parties otherwise agree in writing or in
         open Court on the record.


(Adopted effective September 1, 1996)