(a) In any proceeding, a conference or conferences shall be ordered by the court as required as soon as practicable after the proceeding has been assigned.
(b) The matters which may be considered at such conference may include, but are not limited to:
(1) completion of discovery;
(2) filing of motions;
(3) argument or hearing of motions;
(4) fixing a date for fact-finding and dispositional hearings;
(5) clarification and limitation of issues;
(6) amendment of pleadings or bills of particulars;
(7) admissions of fact;
(8) stipulations as to admissibility of documents;
(9) completion or modification of financial disclosure;
(10) possibilities for settlement; and
(11) identification of expert and fact witnesses.
(c) Where parties are represented by counsel, an attorney thoroughly familiar with the action and authorized to act on behalf of the party or accompanied by a person empowered to act on behalf of the party represented shall appear at such conference.
(d) At the conclusion of a conference, the court shall make a written order, including its directions to the parties as well as stipulations of counsel. Alternatively, in the court’s discretion, all directions of the court and stipulations of counsel shall be formally placed on the record.
Historical Note
Sec. filed Jan. 9, 1986 eff. Jan. 6, 1986.
Amended (b) on May 25, 2011