Legal Definitions - in chambers

The legal term in chambers refers to discussions, hearings, or other legal proceedings that take place privately within a judge's office, rather than in an open courtroom accessible to the public. These sessions are typically held to address urgent matters, procedural issues, or requests for temporary decisions (often called "interim relief") that need to be resolved quickly and confidentially before a full public trial or hearing can occur.

Here are some examples of when a judge might conduct business in chambers:

• Emergency Protective Order: Imagine a situation where an individual needs immediate protection from a threat. They might request an emergency protective order. A judge could hear this urgent request in chambers to quickly assess the immediate danger and issue a temporary order without the delay or public exposure of a formal courtroom hearing. This allows for swift action and protects the privacy of sensitive information.

• Settlement Conference: In a complex civil lawsuit, such as a major corporate dispute or a personal injury case, the judge might call the lead attorneys for both sides into their office for a private settlement conference. By meeting in chambers, the judge can facilitate frank negotiations and explore potential compromises without the pressure or scrutiny of a public courtroom. This confidential setting encourages parties to speak more freely about their positions and potential concessions.

• Procedural Dispute Resolution: During the discovery phase of a lawsuit, where parties exchange information and documents, attorneys might disagree sharply over what information must be shared. Instead of scheduling a full public hearing, the judge might hold an in chambers conference with the lawyers to resolve this specific procedural dispute. This allows for a focused, private discussion to make a quick ruling on the document sharing issue without disrupting the main court schedule or airing detailed arguments about evidence in public.