Judical Code

Judicial Code

Rule 18: Pre-Trial Meetings

(a) Upon written request of either party or upon his own motion the Tribal Judge may schedule a pretrial meeting between the parties, and their counsel, if any. Such meetings may be held or requested either before or after the case is scheduled for trial.

During such meetings the parties and the Tribal Judge may consider any matters which will aid in the simplification, clarification, or disposition of the case. The parties and the Tribal Judge may develop procedures to be followed at the trial. The Tribal Judge may encourage the parties to explore the possibility of settling their dispute and the tribal Judge may participate in settlement discussions to the extent that her/his impartiality at any eventual trial will not be affected.

If it appears to the Tribal Judge that the case is highly complex or involves a sum of money in excess of $1,000.00, the Tribal Judge may, at the request of a party or on her/his own motion, provide for the use of discovery techniques to aid in the fair and efficient administration of justice. Such discovery techniques may include interrogatories, production of documents, depositions, or any other means of discovery noted in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. To the extent practicable, the Tribal Judge shall encourage the parties to use informal methods of discovery, but the Tribal Judge shall have the power to order use of formal discovery techniques under the supervision of the Court.

The Tribal Judge shall prepare a written memorandum of each pretrial meeting setting forth the actions taken at the meeting. Copies of this memorandum shall be distributed to the parties.

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