4. Before the continuation of the pre-trial conference, the judge must study all the pleadings of the case, and determine the issues thereof and the respective positions of the parties thereon to enable him to intelligently steer the parties toward a possible amicable settlement of the case, or, at the very least, to help reduce and limit the issues. The judge should not allow the termination of pre-trial simply because of the manifestation of the parties that they cannot settle the case. He should expose the parties to the advantages of pre-trial. He must also be mindful that there are other important aspects of the pre-trial that ought to be taken up to expedite the disposition of the case.

The Judge with all tact, patience, impartiality and with due regard to the rights of the parties shall endeavor to persuade them to arrive at a settlement of the dispute. The court shall initially ask the parties and their lawyers if an amicable settlement of the case is possible. If not, the judge may confer with the parties with the opposing counsel to consider the following:

1. Given the evidence of the plaintiff presented in his pre-trial brief to support his claim, what manner of compromise is considered acceptable to the defendant at the present stage?

2. Given the evidence of the defendant described in his pre-trial brief to support his defense, what manner of compromise is considered acceptable to the plaintiff at the present stage?

If not successful, the court shall confer with the party and his counsel separately.

If the manner of compromise is not acceptable, the judge shall confer with the parties without their counsel for the same purpose of settlement.