156. If it is shown to the court that the application is of a conservatory nature, that a settlement is possible and that the effort required to prepare the case for trial would be wasted or disproportionate in the circumstances, and the court is in addition convinced of the seriousness of the steps taken, the court may stay the proceeding for the time it determines. It may lift the stay on a party’s request if it considers that the grounds for the stay no longer exist.