5,310
edits
Changes
→Potential outcomes
To me, the highlights of the powers provided by Rule 7-1(15) are these. The judge or master can:
#handle the case conference as like a mediator, which really lets the court get into the thick of it , push the parties a bit, and see what the parties are they're prepared to agree to;#explore options for settlement other than trial, which might include arbitration where the parties need a more flexible dispute resolution process;#give a non-binding opinion about the likely outcome of an application or the trial, which often provides everyone, including the parties lawyers, with a really helpful reality check;
#make consent orders, to get rid of any parts of the court proceeding that can resolved early on; and,
#schedule another JCC, which gives the parties the benefit of a continuing non-adversarial process.