What role does a judge play in a settlement conference?

A judge's primary role in a settlement conference is to facilitate a meeting aimed at helping the parties reach a resolution to their dispute. This involves guiding discussions, encouraging negotiation, and helping both sides understand the strengths and weaknesses of their cases. The judge works to create an environment conducive to compromise, aiming to find common ground that can lead to a mutually acceptable resolution without the need for a trial.

The focus is on negotiation rather than adjudication; therefore, the judge does not make rulings or determinations about the case at this stage, such as deciding a verdict or imposing sanctions. This aligns with the goal of a settlement conference to encourage settlement and reduce the case backlog in courts by avoiding lengthy trials. Other roles, like changing venues or enforcing settlements through sanctions, fall outside the purview of what a judge typically does during a settlement conference. Thus, the correct choice accurately reflects the facilitating nature of a judge's role in this context.