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→Briefs, Financial Statements and other preparations
At the settlement conference, each party will have a turn to tell the master or judge their version of the facts and why they want the orders that they want. The master or judge will listen and ask questions and explore settlement options. The master or judge may even provide opinions about the likely outcome of the case if it goes to trial based upon the their experience in other cases and what the master or judge knows about the case.
Also like JCCs, settlement conferences work best when both parties come prepared and have made full disclosure of all the documents they're relying on. In general, the more information that is exchanged before the settlement conference the better. Being prepared also means having a realistic view of the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence that you have to prove your case, and the strengths and weaknesses of the legal arguments you are trying to advance. If you don't have a lawyer with you at the settlement conference, it can be a good idea to speak with one beforehand for a legal opinion about your case... and its strengths and weaknesses. It's also helpful to have a sense of the likely cost of taking the matter to trial if you can’t settle it at the settlement conference.
People who are well informed about the facts of the case and who have had the opportunity to get legal advice in advance of the settlement conference are more likely to reach a settlement there, and save the time, expense, stress, and uncertainty of continuing the lawsuit through to trial.