Ontario Barrister and Solicitor Practice Exam

The purpose of a "pre-trial conference" is primarily to facilitate a meeting where the parties involved in a case can discuss pertinent issues before the trial begins. This gathering aims to streamline the upcoming trial by identifying and addressing various elements, such as the facts of the case, potential legal issues, and any procedural matters that may affect the proceedings.

This conference allows both sides to clarify their positions and negotiate possible resolutions, including settlements or plea agreements. By doing so, it contributes to promoting efficiency in the trial process, ensuring that the proceedings can focus on the essential matters at hand. The pre-trial conference also enables the judicial officer to gauge the readiness of the parties and to set timelines and schedules that can help reduce delays once the trial commences.

In contrast, finalizing sentencing dates pertains to post-trial outcomes and does not take place during a pre-trial conference. Reviewing witness testimonials is typically part of trial preparation rather than a focus of the pre-trial meeting. Lastly, jury selection is a separate process that occurs after the pre-trial phase, making it unrelated to the purposes of the pre-trial conference.