Do lawyers have to attend pre-trial meetings?

Legal analysis: the parties should attend the pre-trial meeting, because the pre-trial meeting is very important, even more important than the formal trial, so they must attend.

Legal basis: Article 224 of the Supreme People's Court's Interpretation on the Application of the Civil Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC) According to the provisions of Item 4 of Article 133 of the Civil Procedure Law, after the expiration of the defense period, the people's court can make good preparations before the trial by organizing evidence exchange and holding pre-trial meetings.