§  76.8   Status conference.

   (a) In any proceeding subject to the part 76 rules, the Commission
   staff may in its discretion direct the attorneys and/or the parties to
   appear for a conference to consider:

   (1) Simplification or narrowing of the issues;

   (2) The necessity for or desirability of amendments to the pleadings,
   additional pleadings, or other evidentiary submissions;

   (3) Obtaining admissions of fact or stipulations between the parties as
   to any or all of the matters in controversy;

   (4) Settlement of the matters in controversy by agreement of the
   parties;

   (5) The necessity for and extent of discovery, including objections to
   interrogatories or requests for written documents;

   (6) The need and schedule for filing briefs, and the date for any
   further conferences; and

   (7) Such other matters that may aid in the disposition of the
   proceeding.

   (b) Any party may request that a conference be held at any time after
   an initiating document has been filed.

   (c) Conferences will be scheduled by the Commission at such time and
   place as it may designate, to be conducted in person or by telephone
   conference call.

   (d) The failure of any attorney or party, following advance notice with
   an opportunity to be present, to appear at a scheduled conference will
   be deemed a waiver and will not preclude the Commission from conferring
   with those parties or counsel present.

   (e) During a status conference, the Commission staff may issue oral
   rulings pertaining to a variety of matters relevant to the conduct of
   the proceeding including, inter alia, procedural matters, discovery,
   and the submission of briefs or other evidentiary materials. These
   rulings will be promptly memorialized in writing and served on the
   parties. When such rulings require a party to take affirmative action
   not subject to deadlines established by another provision of this
   subpart, such action will be required within ten (10) days from the
   date of the written memorialization unless otherwise directed by the
   staff.

   [ 64 FR 6571 , Feb. 10, 1999]