260 R.I. Code R. 260-RICR-10-00-5.6

Current through December 3, 2024

Section 260-RICR-10-00-5.6 - Prehearing Conferences

A. It is the policy of the Department to encourage the use of prehearing conferences as a means of making more effective use of hearing time and to otherwise aid in the disposition of the proceeding or the settlement thereof.

B. The Hearing Officer may, with reasonable written notice, require that all Parties attend a prehearing conference to consider the following:

1. the simplification, narrowing, and clarification of the issues;

2. the possibility of obtaining written stipulations, admissions, agreements with respect to the introduction of documents or similar agreements which will avoid unnecessary proof;

3. the identification of witnesses and the limitation of the number of witnesses;

4. the possibility of agreement disposing of all or any of the issues in dispute;

5. the consideration of outstanding motions;

6. the status of settlement negotiations, if any;

7. the use of pre-filed testimony, where appropriate;

8. any matters of discovery, including limitation of data requests, document requests, or other discovery or resolving disputes as to the scope of discovery;

9. scheduling of hearings; and

10. such other matters as may aid in the final disposition of the proceeding.

C. All Parties shall attend the prehearing conference fully prepared to discuss all matters related to the proceedings. Failure of any Party to attend the prehearing conference may constitute a waiver of all objections to any order or ruling issued as a result of the prehearing conference unless good cause is shown.

D. At the sole discretion of the Hearing Officer, the Parties may be permitted to waive the prehearing conference by filing with the Hearing Officer a stipulation prior to the prehearing conference that contains the following:

1. agreement to the issues in the matter,

2. an agreed to discovery schedule,

3. three (3) agreed to possible dates for a hearing, and

4. any other agreements as to matters contained in § 5.6(B) of this Part.

E. In the discretion of the Hearing Officer, with agreement of the parties, prehearing conferences, conference hearings, or status hearings may be held by telephone, electronically, or by any other means.

260 R.I. Code R. 260-RICR-10-00-5.6