Pre-trial conference in care and protection cases

A pre-trial conference shall be held within nine months from the filing of the petition. All parties are required to be present with counsel at the pre-trial conference, except that counsel for the child may appear without his/her client. Failure of one or more parties to appear shall not preclude the court from proceeding with the pre-trial conference. The conference may be held in person or virtually, at the court’s discretion. If an adjudication of unfitness enters on the case, a pre-trial conference shall be scheduled to occur within three months from the date of the adjudication, with a status hearing held no later than every three months thereafter until final disposition.