Rule 16(a). Pretrial conferences -- objectives. In any action, the court may in its discretion direct the attorneys for the parties and any unrepresented parties to appear before it for a conference or conferences before trial for such purposes as
     (1) expediting the disposition of the action;
     (2) establishing early and continuing control so that the case will not be protracted because of lack of management;
     (3) discouraging wasteful pretrial activities;
     (4) improving the quality of the trial through more thorough preparation, and;
     (5) facilitating the settlement of the case.

     History: En. Sec. 16, Ch. 13, L. 1961; amd. Sup. Ct. Ord. Oct. 9, 1984, eff. Oct. 9, 1984.