Section 3730.207  Prehearing Conferences

a)         In any proceeding the Hearing Officer may direct parties or their attorneys to appear, upon 10 or more days written notice, at a specified time and place for a conference, prior to or during the course of hearing for the purpose of formulating issues and considering:

1)         the simplification of issues of fact and law;

2)         the necessity or desirability of amending documents for the purpose of clarification, amplification, or limitation;

3)         the possibility of making admissions of certain averments of fact or stipulations concerning the use of matters of public record to avoid unnecessary introduction of proof;

4)         the limitation of the number of witnessess, including experts;

5)         the propriety of prior mutual exchange between or among parties of prepared testimony and exhibits; and

6)         such other matters as may aid in the simplification of the evidence and disposition of the proceeding.

b)         Action taken at the conference shall be recorded in an appropriate ruling unless the parties enter into written stipulations as to such matters, or agree to a statement thereof made on the record by the Hearing Officer.