Final answer:
An informal settlement conference is held after oral arguments are concluded, in private sessions of the Court. Justices express their views and take an initial vote before public announcement. Historical instances of activism can precede formal or informal negotiations and settlements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The informal settlement conference is typically held after all oral arguments have been concluded and the justices need to decide the case. Such conferences are held in private, occurring twice a week when the Court is in session and once a week when it is not. This is also the time when justices discuss petitions for certiorari. Each justice, starting with the Chief Justice and then in descending order of seniority, has the opportunity to express their views on the case, pose questions, and raise concerns. An initial vote is taken in privacy before the decisions are officially announced to the public.
For historical context, it's important to note that there have been instances where activism, such as the CORE's protest against the Board's inaction in Chicago 1963, has led to negotiation meetings. These meetings are not formal settlement conferences but show the kind of occurrences that might prompt more formal discussions and resolutions within a legal or institutional framework.