Massachusetts Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Appellate Tax Board § 1.19

(1) The Board may, in its discretion, schedule one or more status conferences in pending appeals. Status conferences are designed to bring the parties together to discuss, among other topics: the progress of discussions regarding settlement; the formal or informal exchange of relevant information; the option of a mediation conference; a schedule for discovery, expert report exchange, submission of an agreed statement of facts, and a hearing date; and the narrowing of issues for hearing.

(2) If the Board determines that a status conference is warranted, the Clerk will contact the parties to schedule the conference. In addition, if the parties believe that a status conference would be beneficial, they may contact the Clerk to request the scheduling of a conference.

(3) Status conferences may be held by video conference, telephone, or in-person at the Board's offices. The Clerk will inform the parties of the medium by which the conference will be held, but the parties may request a particular medium for the conference.

(4) Prior to the commencement of the status conference, the parties are expected to: confer regarding the topics to be discussed at the conference; agree on a date for a further status conference if they believe one will be beneficial; and, if necessary, provide a proposed scheduling order covering the matters outlined in this Rule.