> On a conference call, the federal judge overseeing the case told the plaintiffs’ attorneys that he was prepared to rule in the theater chain’s favor. He urged

> On a conference call, the federal judge overseeing the case told the plaintiffs’ attorneys that he was prepared to rule in the theater chain’s favor. He urged the plaintiffs to settle with Cinemark, owner of the Century Aurora 16 multiplex where the July 20, 2012, shooting occurred. They had 24 hours. Is it common for a judge to tell one party in a dispute which way he intends to rule, in advance of the actual ruling? That would seem to give that party an unfair advantage in settlement negotiations. The article doesn't say that Cinemark was given the same information in advance. Had they had that information, they wouldn't feel compelled to offer much of anything to settle the lawsuit, except perhaps for the sake of PR.