17 CFR § 12.206 - Pre-decision conferences.
At any time after a summary decisional proceeding has been commenced pursuant to § 12.26(b), the Judgment Officer may, in his discretion, conduct one or more pre-decision conferences to be held in Washington, DC or by telephone, with all parties, for the purposes of:
(a) Discussing the advisability of electing the voluntary decisional procedure;
(b) Encouraging settlement of the entire case, or any part thereof, (such discussions may be ex parte with the consent of all parties);
(c) Simplifying or clarifying issues;
(d) Obtaining stipulations, admissions of fact and of authenticity of documents;
(e) Discussing amendments or supplements to the pleadings;
(f) Encouraging an early settlement of disputes relating to discovery; and
(g) Discussing any matters of relevance in the proceeding.