More than five years after the law firm Dentons sued the Republic of Guinea, claiming the West African country had failed to pay more than $10 million in legal fees, a federal judge Wednesday pressed the two sides to prepare for a trial in early 2020—and to consider the “pure economics” of a settlement.

At a hearing in Washington, U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss of the District of Columbia appeared eager to bring the fee dispute to a conclusion, suggesting that a bench trial begin early next year. When a defense lawyer for Guinea, Schertler & Onorato partner David Dickieson, said complications with taking depositions in Europe could push the trial to the summer, Moss balked at the suggestion.