[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 15, Volume 3] [Revised as of January 1, 2003] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 15CFR904.216] [Page 46] TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND FOREIGN TRADE CHAPTER IX--NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PART 904--CIVIL PROCEDURES--Table of Contents Subpart C--Hearing and Appeal Procedures Sec. 904.216 Prehearing conferences. (a) Prior to any hearing or at other time deemed appropriate, the Judge may, upon his or her own initiative, or upon the application of any party, arrange a telephone conference and, where appropriate, record such telephone conference, or direct the parties to appear for a conference to consider: (1) Simplification or clarification of the issues or settlement of the case by consent; (2) The possibility of obtaining stipulations, admissions, agreements, and rulings on admissibility of documents, understandings on matters already of record, or similar agreements that will avoid unnecessary proof; (3) Agreements and rulings to facilitate the discovery process; (4) Limitation of the number of expert witnesses or other avoidance of cumulative evidence; (5) The procedure, course, and conduct of the hearing; (6) The distribution to the parties and the Judge prior to the hearing of written testimony and exhibits in order to expedite the hearing; (7) Such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the proceeding. (b) The Judge in his or her discretion may issue an order showing the matters disposed of in such conference. Discovery