Section 421. Pre-Trial Conference

(A) At the Pre-Trial Conference the following administrative matters shall be considered:

(1) clarification of the issues;

(2) amendments to the pleadings;

(3) stipulations and agreements to admit documents or other physical evidence;

(4) limitations on the number of expert and character witnesses;

(5) any disputes concerning discovery not previously resolved; and

(6) any other matters which may aid in the prompt disposition of the matter.

(B) The Pre-Trial Conference shall be conducted by the Conference Judge, and shall be attended by counsel for the Board, counsel of record for the Judicial Officer, if any, and the Judicial Officer.

(C) Where the Judicial Officer is represented by counsel, the Judicial Officer may file with the Clerk a waiver of his or her presence at the Pre-Trial Conference. The waiver shall include a statement authorizing the Judicial Officer’s counsel to act on the Judicial Officer’s behalf as to all matters considered at the Pre-Trial Conference.

(D) At the conclusion of the Pre-Trial Conference, the Conference Judge shall on the record enter an order stating the agreements and objections made by the parties, and rulings made by the Conference Judge on any matter considered during the Pre-Trial Conference. The order shall control subsequent proceedings before the Court on the record, unless modified by the Court or a panel of the Court on the record. The parties shall have the right to file objections to any part of the Order within 15 days of its entry.

Official Note

This rule is derived from former interim Rule 22.

The provisions of this Rule 421 adopted March 16, 1994, effective March 16, 1994. Amended May 31, 1994, effective May 31, 1994; amended November 1, 1994, effective January 1, 1995; amended June 25, 2003, effective immediately, 33 Pa.B. 3359. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (293542) to (293543).