15 CFR §785.11

1. (a)On the ALJ's own motion, or on request of a party, the ALJ may direct the parties to participate in a prehearing conference, either in person or by telephone, to consider:
   1. (1)Simplification of issues;
   2. (2)The necessity or desirability of amendments to pleadings;
   3. (3)Obtaining stipulations of fact and of documents to avoid unnecessary proof; or
   4. (4)Such other matters as may expedite the disposition of the proceedings.
2. (b)The ALJ may order the conference proceedings to be recorded electronically or taken by a reporter, transcribed and filed with the ALJ.
3. (c)If a prehearing conference is impracticable, the ALJ may direct the parties to correspond with the ALJ to achieve the purposes of such a conference.
4. (d)The ALJ will prepare a summary of any actions agreed on or taken pursuant to this section. The summary will include any written stipulations or agreements made by the parties.