What is a "pretrial conference" intended to achieve in Louisiana civil procedure?

A pretrial conference in Louisiana civil procedure is primarily intended to streamline issues and prepare for trial. This step serves several critical functions in the litigation process. During the pretrial conference, the parties and the court discuss the relevant legal and factual issues, which helps in clarifying the matters that need to be decided at trial. It allows the judge to assess the readiness of the parties, identify any pending motions, and address any discovery disputes that may hinder progress.

Additionally, the conference helps to promote settlement discussions, encouraging the parties to consider alternative resolutions before incurring the costs and time associated with a trial. This process is instrumental in managing the trial schedule and ensuring that the court’s time is utilized efficiently. Essentially, it helps to narrow down the matters in dispute, which contributes to a more focused and expedient trial process.

Other options listed refer to unrelated aspects of the legal process, such as jury selection or the collection of evidence, which do not fall under the specific functions of a pretrial conference within the Louisiana civil procedure framework.