A trial management conference is held for the purpose of exploring ways to make more efficient use of trial time. The court or the parties may request that a trial management conference be held prior to trial to explore ways to streamline the presentation of evidence, to finalize the list of witnesses and to facilitate the orderly and expeditious conduct of the trial. Flexible timelines The Rule requires that cases be streamed on either the 'fast track' or the 'standard track'. The plaintiff's solicitor is required to choose the track on the notice of commencement of proceeding. The standard track is designed for cases which raise complex issues of fact or law, while the fast track is designed for cases that are less complex and involve a small number of parties.
Cases management has the flexibilty to adjust time lines to meet the circumstances of each case.
A case conference may be requested by counsel or convened by a case management judge or master at any time to seek parties' agreement on a schedule of events and review and if necessary amend the timetable for the proceeding. Before the settlement conference is held, parties are required to complete all examinations, produce all of the required documents and complete any motions arising therefrom. Amendments to Rule 77 Several amendments to Rule 77 came into effect on January 4, 1999. The key changes are summarized below. The scope of the application of the Rule has been changed to clarify that certified class proceedings are exempt from Rule 77.