What is the purpose of a scheduling order and pretrial conference?

• A. To appoint a magistrate to oversee the case.
• B. To determine fee awards.
• C. To set deadlines and streamline issues for trial, including discovery deadlines and settlement prospects.
• D. To require the parties to go to arbitration.

Answer: (C)

Scheduling orders and a pretrial conference are about organizing how the case will proceed toward trial. They set concrete deadlines for discovery, disclosures, expert reports, and motions, and they require the parties to exchange information and identify what issues will be tried. They also help narrow the scope of discovery to the real issues and lay out a plan for trial, often including what pretrial materials must be exchanged and what stipulations exist. By clarifying deadlines and the path to trial, they encourage early settlement when possible and keep the case moving efficiently without unnecessary surprises. This focus on deadlines, issue identification, and case readiness is what makes this the best description. It isn’t about appointing a magistrate, deciding fee awards, or forcing arbitration.