(a) 
        
        (1) 
         A pre-hearing conference may be convened by the ALJ if the ALJ thinks that such a conference would be useful, or if requested by—
     
    
        
        (i) 
         The designated Department official; or
     
    
    
        
        (2) 
         The purpose of a pre-hearing conference is to allow the parties to settle, narrow, or clarify the dispute.
     
    
        
        (b) 
         A pre-hearing conference may consist of—
     
    
        
        (1) 
         A conference telephone call;
     
    
        
        (2) 
         An informal meeting; or
     
    
        
        (3) 
         The submission and exchange of written material.
     
    
        
            Code of Federal Regulations
        
        (Authority: 
                20 U.S.C. 1145g
            )
    
    
        
            Code of Federal Regulations
        
        [55 FR 33581, Aug. 16, 1990, as amended at 61 FR 66225, Dec. 17, 1996]