The compulsory conference will take place an agreed date and time. The conference will take place at our office or at a Barrister's chambers.
You will need to attend approximately 1 hour prior to the commencement of the conference so we may discuss any issues in relation to your matter as well as what will happen at the conference.
The conference commences by all parties sitting in a room and will begin with us outlining the facts in your case. You will be required to attend however you should just sit there and listen to what is said. Generally we do not suggest you say anything but rather allow us to do the talking for you. The representatives of the insurers will then respond to what we have said. We will then adjourn to separate rooms where we can discuss any issues with you and obtain your instructions to make offers. The legal representatives will then go back and forth discussing offers.
This process can take a few minutes or a couple of hours depending on the parties. attitude to settling and what offers are made. Please be aware that some insurers simply attend the conference to comply with their obligations under the Act and to not make any reasonable offers.
If the conference ends without resolving the matter you, and the respondents, will need to exchange "mandatory final offers". These are offers made in accordance with the Act and that must remain open for 14 days and can not be withdrawn by any party during that time.
Should the matter then proceed to trial and a judgment is entered, the Judge will use these offers to make an award as to costs and we will provide a summary that explains when costs are payable by you or to you after a judgment is handed down. We will also discuss this further with you at the conference.
