Rule 10 - Status Conferences(a) Initial conference. A status conference shall be held as soon as practicable after respondent's answer to the petition is filed. At that conference, the Court will explore the likelihood of early resolution through settlement or alternative dispute resolution techniques and the Court may enter such scheduling orders as it deems appropriate.(b) Other conferences. The Court may schedule such other conferences as it deems appropriate.(c) Continuance of status hearing. In the event that a case is scheduled for a status hearing and the matter is settled in principle, is scheduled for mediation, concerns a legal issue which is pending before the D.C. Court of Appeals, or is consolidated with another case which is scheduled for a status hearing at a later date, the parties may agree to continue the hearing. The Deputy Clerk shall then set a new time and date for such hearing.(d) Any scheduling order entered may be modified by the Court for good cause shown.COMMENT
Consistent with Civil Rule 16(b), Section (a) sets forth a policy in favor of settlement of civil tax litigation by alternative dispute resolution (ADR) at an early stage in the case. Thus, all unrepresented parties and counsel must attend a conference early in the case at which the Court will explore the possibilities of settlement or alternative dispute resolution.
In a typical case, the Court will require the parties to attend a conference after mediation or ADR, at which the Court may establish a firm schedule for completion of the case.
Section (d) makes clear that the parties may not deviate from the scheduling order without permission from the Court.