Bench Conference

What does Bench Conference mean in American Law?

The definition of Bench Conference in the law of the United States, as defined by the lexicographer Arthur Leff in his legal dictionary is:

A conference at the bench between counsel and judge typically to discuss some point of law, especially evidentiary, out of the hearing of the jury. It is properly “on the record,” i.e., the colloquy is taken down by the court reporter, but it is common for the judge (with tacit consent of counsel) to put parts of it off the record, e.g., “How about an early break for lunch?” and “Do you have to object to everything?”