(a) The Judge may require the parties to participate in a prehearing conference, either in person or by telephone. The participants at any such conference may consider and take action with respect to:
(1) The formulation and simplification of the issues;
(2) The possibility of obtaining stipulations, admissions of fact and of documents that will avoid unnecessary proof and advance rulings from the Judge on the admissibility of evidence;
(3) The exchange of exhibits and the names of witnesses and a synopsis of the testimony expected from each witness;
(4) The necessity or desirability of amendments to the pleadings and the joinder of parties;
(5) The possibility of agreement disposing of any or all of the issues in dispute;
(6) Such other matters as may aid in the expedition of the hearing or the disposition of the case.
(b) The Judge may also require the parties to submit prehearing statements addressing one or more of the matters set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.