What is the term for a meeting of the attorneys and the judge before trial begins?

• A. Interrogatories
• B. Pretrial conference
• C. Voir dire
• D. Peremptory challenge

Answer: (B)

A pretrial conference is a meeting between the attorneys and the judge before trial to plan and organize the case. It’s where they outline the timetable, discuss what issues will be tried, address discovery disputes, settle stipulations, and decide what evidence and witnesses will be allowed. This meeting helps ensure the trial runs smoothly by clarifying logistics, deadlines, and any settlements that might be explored before the live testimony begins. The other terms refer to different stages or tools in the litigation process: interrogatories are written discovery questions; voir dire is the jury selection questioning that happens during trial; and a peremptory challenge is a way to strike potential jurors during voir dire.