Okanogan County Superior Court Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

CRITICAL

Before seeking to exceed or excuse the rule’s limitations, counsel or the parties must confer, then arrange a court conference or appearance, first with the assigned Commissioner if reasonably available.

The court will not entertain any motion or objection with respect to a request to exceed or excuse the limitations of this rule unless counsel or the parties have first conferred with respect to the motion or objection. Counsel or the parties shall arrange for a mutually convenient conference in person or by telephone. If, after conferring, one or both of the parties believe that the limitations of this rule should be excused, then they shall arrange a telephone conference or appearance before the assigned Commissioner if they are reasonably available, or if the assigned Commissioner is not available then they shall arrange a telephone conference or appearance before the assigned Judge or Commissioner to have the court determine if the rule should be excused.

CRITICAL

The parties shall in all cases attend the settlement conference. Only parties and attorneys shall be present during the settlement conference

The parties shall in all cases attend the settlement conference. Only parties and attorneys shall be present during the settlement conference

CRITICAL

After an objection defeats a motion for a settlement conference, any later motion for one requires a showing of a significant change in circumstances.

Where a motion for a settlement conference has been defeated by the filing of an objection, any future motion must be made upon a showing of a significant change in circumstances.

CRITICAL

After a trial date is set, the court may order a settlement conference on its own motion, and the conference must be held unless all parties file objections.

The court to which a case is assigned for trial may, upon its own motion after a trial date has been set, order a settlement conference in any pending case, and a settlement conference shall be held unless all parties file objections thereto.

CRITICAL

The attorney in charge must personally attend each settlement conference and serve the settlement judge and opposing counsel, at least five days beforehand, a letter addressing the listed topics.

The attorney in charge of each party's case shall personally attend all settlement conferences and shall, not less than five (5) days prior to the date set for the settlement conference, serve on the settlement judge and the attorney for the opposing party a letter succinctly addressing the following: a. A brief factual summary; b. Issues regarding liability; c. Issues regarding damages, both special and general d. History of any settlement negotiations; and e. Current position on settlement.

CRITICAL

A response to a reconsideration motion may be filed only if the court requests one, the motion cannot be granted without such a request, and a reply may be filed within two days after service of a requested response.

No response to a motion for reconsideration shall be filed unless requested by the court. No motion for reconsideration will be granted without such a request. If a response is called for, a reply may be filed within two days of service of the response.

WARNING

The motion will be considered without oral argument unless the court calls for argument.

The motion will be considered without oral argument unless called for by the court.

WARNING

Each attorney must be prepared to discuss the settlement-conference letter topics in detail at the conference.

Each attorney shall be prepared to discuss the foregoing in detail at the settlement conference.

INFO

Matters requiring less than ten minutes per side may generally be placed on the appropriate Law and Motion calendar.

Matters requiring less than ten minutes per side may generally be placed on the appropriate Law and Motion calendar.

INFO

Any party in a pending case may serve and file a motion for a settlement conference.

Any party in any pending case may serve and file a motion for a settlement conference.