Consolidated practice directions

The Strategic Conference 
 
11. The Court will generally require the parties and their legal 
representatives to give specific and careful consideration to the ways in 
which the objectives of case management in the CMC List might be best 
achieved in the particular circumstances of the case, and to present their 
proposals in that regard at a strategic conference to be held before the 
case manager. Generally the first hearing of the matter in the CMC List 
will be conducted as a strategic conference (see O 4A r 14A). 
12. If a party considers that a strategic conference should not be held, or 
should be deferred, the party should write to the Associate to the 
managing Judge or Master and provide reasons as soon as possible after 
the matter has entered the CMC List. 
13. The case manager may direct that a strategic conference not be held, or 
that it be held at a later time - for example, after pleadings have closed.
Unless such a direction is made, the first hearing of the matter in the 
CMC List will be conducted as a strategic conference in accordance with 
par 11 above. 
14. The strategic conference will be given a special appointment of up to one 
hour's duration. It will generally be held in a conference room rather 
than a courtroom. Proceedings will be recorded and transcribed as 
appropriate. The case manager will ordinarily direct that the parties will 
be required to attend. 
15. In the case of a corporate party, the officer or officers representing the 
party at the strategic conference must have authority to make decisions 
and provide instructions with respect to all aspects of the future 
management of the case. All counsel who have been briefed are to 
attend the conference together with the most senior solicitor 
representing each party.
16. At the commencement of the strategic conference, the case manager will 
call upon a legal representative of each party to provide a short 
presentation upon the issues which that party considers require 
determination, and the position of that party in respect of each issue.
Legal representatives should be as fully briefed as is practicable at that 
stage of the case. Unless otherwise agreed and directed by the case 
manager, those statements of position will be 'on the record'. 

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4. General Division - Civil 
PD 4.1.2
 
Supreme Court of Western Australia 
Consolidated Practice Direction
17. A legal representative of each party must also inform the case manager 
and the other party or parties of: 
(a) that party's estimate of the quantum of the plaintiff's claim or the 
value of the property in dispute; and 
(b) that party's legal costs and disbursements (including any expert 
fees) incurred to date, an estimate of the legal costs and 
disbursements (including any expert fees) likely to be incurred up 
to the end of trial (setting out the estimated duration of trial), and 
the estimated party and party costs recoverable by, or payable by, 
the party in respective cases of success or failure at trial.
17A. 
The purpose of open disclosure as to costs between the parties and the 
case manager is to allow the case manager to openly comment on the 
value, importance and complexity of the subject matter and the financial 
position of each party. Transparency as to costs may assist the parties to 
put the cost of proceedings into perspective and encourage them to 
settle the dispute.
18. The strategic conference will also address the following issues (at least): 
(a) the best method for identifying the issues which require 
determination; 
(b) the best method for identifying the facts which can be agreed, and 
the facts which are contentious; 
(c) whether it would be desirable to have a preliminary determination 
of any specific issues of fact or law;
(d) the most appropriate approach to be taken in relation to discovery; 
(e) the most appropriate point in the preparation of a case for a 
mediation to be conducted; 
(f) the steps that should be completed before a mediation takes place; 
(g) whether there is any reason why evidence in chief should not be 
given orally, with or without the provision and exchange of a 
witness outline (refer also to PD 4.5 Evidence in Chief 
–
Witness 
Outlines and Witness Statements); 

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4. General Division - Civil 
PD 4.1.2
 
Supreme Court of Western Australia 
Consolidated Practice Direction
(h) the most appropriate approach to be taken with respect to expert 
evidence; 
(i)
specific milestones in the proceedings (for example, the close of
pleadings) at which each party must inform the case manager, and 
the other party or parties, of:
(i) that party's actual legal costs and disbursements (including any 
expert fees) to date; and 
(ii) that party's revised estimate of legal costs and disbursements 
(including any expert fees) up to the end of trial (setting out the 
estimated duration of trial). 
19. Parties and their representatives will be encouraged by the case manager 
to present proposals that are the most appropriate for the particular 
circumstances of the case. The discernible tendency to indiscriminately 
apply the standard directions to every case, whether appropriate or not, 
will be actively discouraged. 
20. The objective of the strategic conference will be to devise a general 
strategy for the future management of the case. Directions 
implementing that strategy may be made by the case manager at the 
conclusion of the conference.