Rule 702 - Scheduling, Status, or Pretrial Conference(a)Scheduling Conference.(1)In General. A scheduling conference will be conducted by the court as soon as practicable unless otherwise ordered by the court. The court will notify all parties of the date and time of the scheduling conference, which must not be modified except by leave of the court.(2)Timing of Conference. Unless the court finds good cause, the court must hold the scheduling conference within 8 weeks after the answer has been filed.(b)Scheduling Order. The scheduling order must address:(1) setting dates for trial and any pretrial conferences;(2) setting deadlines for joining other parties and amending the pleadings; for filing and hearing dispositive motions; for completing discovery; and for disclosing witnesses;(3) alternative dispute resolution, if appropriate;(4) the need for a master, if appropriate; and(5) other matters which would aid in the speedy, fair, and efficient resolution of the case.(c)Modifying a Scheduling Order. The scheduling order may be modified only for good cause shown and with the judge's consent.(d)Request for Trial Setting by a Party. A party may file a request for trial setting if the court fails to set a scheduling conference within 28 days of the Answer or Reply. After a request for trial setting is filed, the court must set a scheduling conference within 14 days.(e)Status or Pretrial Conference. A status or pretrial conference may be scheduled by the court at any time on the court's initiative. A party may request a conference to assist with case management any time after the initial scheduling conference and before the final pretrial conference.(f)Pretrial Orders. After any conference under this rule, the court should issue an order reciting the action taken. This order controls the course of the action unless the court modifies it.Adopted April 2, 2014, effective for early adopters7/1/2014, effective statewide7/1/2015; amended 29 March, 2021, effective 7/1/2021.