76.2. After the filing of the application and, if applicable, the hearing on the provisional measures, the tribunal may order the holding of a pre-hearing conference if it considers it useful or if it is requested by one of the parties. Whenever possible, the conference is presided over by the judge assigned to hear the case.
The purpose of the pre-hearing conference is to rule on appropriate means of simplifying and shortening the hearing, including the advisability of amending the application, obtaining admissions, defining the questions of law and fact at issue, providing a list of witnesses and providing access to the originals of the documents the parties intend to file at the hearing.
Agreements and decisions made at the conference are recorded in minutes signed by the attorneys or the parties not represented by an attorney, and countersigned by the judge who presided over the conference. The agreements and decisions govern the hearing, unless the tribunal permits a departure from them in order to prevent an injustice.
2006, c. 34, s. 46; I.N. 2016-01-01 (NCCP).