pre-trial review

Pre-trial reviews are interim hearings whereby the parties appear before the court. When required, a pre-trial review is listed prior to the anticipated date of the trial in litigation. If it is the case that the parties have complied the case management directions of the court made previously during the course of the litigation, it is probably the case that the pre-trial review is not necessary and would be dispensed with by the court. The court may in its discretion require the parties to attend a pre-trial review, and give the parties notice of the matters to be considered at such a hearing.

The court is likely to wish to hear from the parties as to their time estimates for the trial, the time required for examination and cross-examination of witness, contents of the trial bundles, the location of the trial, how the case should be conducted at trial in any particular respect, and any other matter that the court considers appropriate for the efficient conduct of the trial.

The parties are at liberty to agree directions for the lead up to the trial, and indeed are required to seek agreement with the other litigants prior to approaching the court.

Usage: The court dispensed with the pre-trial review as the parties had complied with case management directions made by the court.

Related Words: listing questionnaire; pre-trial checklists; case management conference; listing hearing; allocation questionnaire; allocation listing; listing hearing; case management directions; final hearing; small claims track; fast track; multi-track.