Rule 3.110 Conferences in Chambers

Judges can hold conferences in their private office (called chambers) instead of the courtroom. These conferences usually happen without the people involved in the case being there.

If a party wants to attend the conference, they can ask to be included. The court can also require litigants to be present if it decides that makes sense for the case. So while these meetings are normally just between the judge and the attorneys, there are ways for the actual parties to be part of them when needed.