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Pre Trial Conference Statement

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PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE STATEMENT

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARD

Case No.

Applicant v. Defendant(s)

NOTICE OF HEARING

Location: Date: Time:

Settlement Conference Judge:

Appearances

Injured Worker:

Injured Worker's Attorney:

Defendant's Attorney:

Others Appearing (L.C., Interpreters, etc.):

Address Record Changes:

Disposition

Set for Regular Hearing:

Case(s) set on: at WCJ in

Other Disposition and Orders:

Stipulations

The following facts are admitted:

1. Born while

On during the period(s)

As a(n) occupational group number

At , California; by

2. At the time of injury the employer's workers' compensation carrier was

3. At the time of injury, the employee's earnings were $ per week, warranting indemnity rates of $ for temporary disability and $ for permanent disability.

4. The carrier/employer has paid compensation as follows:

5. The employer has furnished medical treatment.

The primary treating physician is

Issues

Earnings: Employee claims per week, based on

Employer/carrier claims per week, based on

Permanent and stationary date:

Employee claims based on

Employer/carrier claims based on

Occupation and group number claimed by employee

By employer/carrier

Liens:

Exhibits and Witnesses

Exhibits:

Witnesses:

Multiple Parties

1. Applicant, born sustained or claims injury as follows:

Signature

Applicant Signature

Defendant Signature

Lien Claimant/Other Signature

Date:

Enter text

What a Pre Trial Conference Statement Is and when it's used

A Pre Trial Conference Statement is a court-directed written summary submitted before a scheduled pretrial conference that sets out the parties, claims, defenses, disputed issues, anticipated witnesses, exhibits, legal authorities, estimated trial time, and proposed case management steps. Courts use the statement to structure the conference, narrow issues, set deadlines, and identify settlement prospects; local rules and the court's scheduling order determine required content and timing for submission.

Why preparing a clear Pre Trial Conference Statement matters

A concise, compliant statement improves case management, reduces surprise at conference, and helps the judge set realistic timelines. It clarifies positions for opposing counsel, focuses motions and disclosures, and can limit evidentiary disputes before trial.

Why preparing a clear Pre Trial Conference Statement matters

Who prepares and relies on this statement

The Pre Trial Conference Statement is prepared by counsel or by self-represented parties and sent to the court and opposing counsel per local rules.

  • Plaintiffs' counsel — Files the plaintiff's view of issues, witnesses, and damages, and proposes scheduling preferences.
  • Defendants' counsel — Responds with defenses, counterclaims, witness lists, and objections to proposed timelines.
  • Pro se litigants and case managers — Use the statement to communicate availability, settlement posture, and exhibit lists.

Courts, mediators, and settlement officers also review the statement to prepare agendas and determine whether additional pretrial procedures are needed.

Core elements to include in a professional statement

A well-organized Pre Trial Conference Statement groups information into clear sections so the court can quickly assess case posture and logistical needs.

Caption

Complete case caption with court name, docket number, and party names as they appear on filings.

Claims & Defenses

Short summaries of each claim and defense, including statutory or common-law bases and any admissions or concessions.

Witnesses

List expected fact and expert witnesses with a brief description of testimony and estimated direct-examination time.

Exhibits

Numbered exhibit list with short descriptions and any stipulated exhibits or objections to exhibit authenticity.

Motions & Issues

Pending dispositive or evidentiary motions, unresolved discovery disputes, and proposed procedures for resolution.

Scheduling

Estimate of trial length, proposed trial dates, ADR status, and deadlines for disclosures and motions.

Step-by-step: preparing and submitting the statement

Follow a short checklist to prepare a court-ready statement that complies with local procedures and promotes an effective pretrial conference.

  • 01
    Draft: Assemble caption, issues, witnesses, exhibits, and motions in sequence.
  • 02
    Review: Confirm facts, check citations, and ensure page limits and font comply with local rules.
  • 03
    Sign: Sign the statement (electronic signature acceptable where permitted) and date it.
  • 04
    File & Serve: E-file via court system or deliver to clerk and serve opposing counsel per local rules.

Typical submission and court handling flow

A consistent submission workflow reduces processing errors and ensures the court has time to review before the scheduled conference.

  • Prepare Document: Complete the statement and attach numbered exhibits.
  • Authenticate: Apply permitted e-signature or manual signature as local rules allow.
  • File with Court: E-file or present to clerk according to the court's filing method.
  • Serve Parties: Serve all counsel and pro se parties in the manner required by rule.

How to set up an electronic submission workflow

Configure the digital workflow to match court e-filing requirements and preserve an audit trail for service and signature validation.

E-file System Register account with the court's approved e-filing vendor and confirm required file types.
Document Format Use PDF/A format for exhibits when possible to preserve pagination and accessibility.
Signature Method Select permitted signature type: typed name, drawn signature, or platform e-signature per local rules.
Authentication Choose signer authentication: email link, SMS code, or stronger methods if required.
Notifications Set auto-notify to confirm filing, service, and delivery to all parties.

Technical considerations for eSubmission and eSignatures

Courts and local rules differ on permitted file formats, signature methods, and e-filing portals; verify requirements before submitting.

  • File Formats: PDF and DOCX are widely accepted; convert exhibits to PDF for reliability.
  • Signature Types: ESIGN-compliant electronic signatures are typically allowed unless the court requires wet ink.
  • Integrations: Connectors to e-filing vendors and case management systems reduce manual steps.

Confirm the court's local rules for e-filing, acceptable signature types, and whether the court requires retention of native files or audio-video RON records when notarization is used.

Common deadlines tied to the pretrial statement

Deadlines vary by court; these are common timing expectations that practitioners should verify against the scheduling order or local rules.

Submission Deadline:

Often due 7–14 days before the scheduled pretrial conference.

Expert Disclosures:

Expert reports typically due per scheduling order; Fed. R. Civ. P. 26 applies.

Motions in Limine:

Due according to local rules, frequently 14 days before trial.

Witness Lists:

Exchange witness lists as prescribed in the scheduling order.

Exhibit Exchange:

Exchange and exhibit pre-marking timelines set by the court.

Security and compliance practices to preserve integrity

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3; AES-256 at rest
Audit Trail: Timestamped signature record
Access Controls: Role-based user permissions
HIPAA BAA: BAA available when required
Tamper Evidence: Document integrity markers
Standards: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001

Consequences of missing rules or filing incorrect statements

Sanctions: Court may impose monetary penalties
Struck Pleadings: Court can strike untimely materials
Adverse Rulings: Judge may limit evidence or testimony
Delay: Conferences or trial may be continued
Fee Shifting: Costs awarded to other party
Contempt: Severe noncompliance can lead to contempt

Common preparation mistakes to avoid

  • Submitting the statement late or after the deadline, which often forces continuance or sanctions and undermines the party's credibility with the court.
  • Omitting witness summaries or exhibits so the court cannot assess the scope of evidence, leading to objections or limitation of testimony at trial.
  • Using nonstandard captions, inaccurate docket numbers, or incorrect party names that cause misfiling or administrative rejection by the clerk's office.
  • Failing to confirm whether the court accepts electronic signatures or requires a wet-ink signature or notary acknowledgement for particular filings or affidavits.

Real-world examples of streamlined pretrial statements

Below are two customer stories that show how clear pretrial summaries supported efficient case processing.

Optica Ventures (COO)

Optica consolidated exhibits and witness summaries into a single document for the court

  • "The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers."
  • The organized submission reduced clerk follow-up and clarified scheduling needs for the presiding judge, shortening pretrial proceedings.

Fertility Centers of Illinois (Founder)

The organization standardized signature and exhibit handling across locations

  • "The airSlate SignNow team has been exceptional, responsive, the API has been great, and we're extremely happy that we chose airSlate SignNow as a company."
  • Standardized procedures helped the legal team assemble compliant, reproducible statements and maintain audit-ready records.

eSignature vendor comparison for completing and signing a statement

Comparison of starting price and common plan features relevant to filing and signing Pre Trial Conference Statements. Verify plan details with each vendor before purchasing.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial No No Yes, limited Yes, limited
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently asked questions about Pre Trial Conference Statements

Answers to common practical and legal questions about preparing, signing, filing, and correcting a Pre Trial Conference Statement.


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