Courts often handle hearings, status conferences, and discovery disputes by teleconference. To prevent delays, counsel must organize all participants on the conference call before the judge connects. With Vast Conference dial-out, the host attorney can gather everyone on a standard reservationless call by dialing in with a number and conference code and confirm that every party is present before calling the court directly from the conference. The judge or courtroom joins as a single line, with no PIN, app, or software needed on the court’s end.
This approach works well for telephonic hearings, status and scheduling conferences, discovery dispute calls, settlement conferences, and any situation where the court instructs counsel to “initiate the call and connect chambers.”
How do I dial a judge or courtroom into my conference call?
The host attorney (or their assistant) runs the call from Vast Conference and uses dial-out to bring the court in once all parties are ready.
What you’ll need
Vast Conference dial-out (to call the court’s number)
Waiting Room (optional, to hold parties until counsel is ready)
Online Web Interface (to see who’s on the call and manage mute/unmute)
The court’s direct phone number, as provided by the clerk or listed in the court’s order or notice
Recommended conference call settings
Court calls are interactive, so all parties typically need to speak. Configure your Vast conference with:
Lecture Mode: OFF (parties can speak, typical configuration)
New Entry Tone: ON (notifes all when a new party joins, typical configuration)
Waiting Room: Optional (useful if you want to confirm attendance before opening the line)
Before the call
Send the Vast dial-in number and 6-digit conference code to opposing counsel, clients, and the court reporter.
Confirm the court’s phone number and the scheduled time with the clerk. Ask whether you’ll reach the judge directly, the courtroom, or a clerk who will transfer you.
Review the court’s local rules or standing order on recording. Many courts prohibit recording unless authorized, and the official record is typically made by the court reporter.
Dialing out from the conference call to the court
Step 1: Join your Vast Conference as host
Dial into the Vast Conference phone number.
Enter your 6-digit conference code.
Enter your 4-digit host code.
Step 2: Confirm all parties are present
Take a roll call, or check the participant list in the Online Web Interface.
Confirm that opposing counsel, any clients or witnesses, and the court reporter (if one is attending) are on the line.
If you used the Waiting Room, move all parties into the Main Conference now.
Step 3: Dial out to the judge or courtroom
From the host phone keypad, initiate dial-out by entering: 67*
When prompted, enter the court’s phone number, then press #.
When prompted, confirm by pressing 1.
When the court answers, introduce yourself and the case. If a clerk answers, stay on the line until you’re transferred to the judge or courtroom.
Rejoin the Vast Conference host controls by entering: 68* from the host telephone.
The court is now connected to your conference call, and all parties can hear and speak with the judge.
Step 4: Manage the call
In the Online Web Interface, locate the participant line representing the court and confirm it’s connected and unmuted.
If any line is causing background noise or echo, mute that participant from the Online Web Interface.
Ask all parties to state their names before speaking, so the court reporter can capture an accurate record.
Step 5: Ending the call
When the judge concludes the hearing, the court will typically disconnect first. Parties can then hang up, or remain on the conference if counsel needs to confer afterward.