A pretrial conference—also known as a pretrial hearing or scheduling conference—is an informal meeting or discussion in the early stages of a lawsuit during which the attorneys and the judge work to schedule important deadlines in the lawsuit; identify important witnesses and documents; discuss settlement; and narrow the issues for trial.

The court will usually sign a pretrial order that includes its rulings and the parties' agreements on the matters discussed at the pretrial conference.

The pretrial conference is essentially a project management plan for the litigation. The timing of the pretrial conference and the issues to be addressed are usually included in the state's rules of civil procedure or code of civil procedure—or in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in federal court.

In Delaware, a pretrial conference is a procedural step in the civil litigation process where the parties, through their attorneys, and the judge meet to discuss the case and set a timeline for the various stages leading up to the trial. This conference aims to streamline the issues, identify key witnesses and documents, explore settlement possibilities, and establish deadlines for motions and the exchange of evidence. The Delaware Court of Chancery Rules and the Delaware Superior Court Civil Rules outline the procedures for pretrial conferences. The outcomes of these conferences are typically documented in a pretrial order, which reflects the court's directives and any agreements made between the parties. This order serves as a roadmap for the litigation, ensuring that the case proceeds efficiently towards trial or resolution. The specific timing and content of the pretrial conference may vary depending on the complexity of the case and the court's schedule.