Prehearing conference

The court may direct the attorneys for the parties to appear before the court, a justice, judge, or an appointed referee for a prehearing conference to consider the simplification of the issues and such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the proceeding by the court. The court, justice, judge, or appointed referee shall make an order which recites the action taken at the conference and the agreements made by the parties as to any of the matters considered, and which limits the issues to those not disposed of by admissions or agreements of counsel, and such order when entered controls the subsequent course of the proceeding, unless modified to prevent manifest injustice.