I.O.P. 4.1: Tentative Views
Local Appellate Rules and Internal Operating Procedures of the Third Circuit — I.O.P. Chapter 4. Panel Conference Procedure
After a case has been argued or submitted to a panel of the court, a conference is held to exchange tentative views as to the decision. The judges express views and tentative votes in reverse order of precedence. By unanimous agreement of the panel, conferences in submitted cases may be held by telephone or views may be exchanged by electronic mail prior to the submission date.