(1)All matters preliminary to a trial should be settled before a date is fixed for trial. Neglect of rule may involve the re-opening of a case after the arguments have been heard. Preliminaries include the settlement of questions as to the addition of parties, amendment of plaint when it does not conform to the forms given in the Civil Procedure Code, the appointment of guardians ad litem of minor defendants, the discovery and inspection of documents and the production thereof, securing admissions as to facts and documents, the framing of issues, the execution of commissions for preparing essential maps or plans and the disposal of preliminary issues, if any.
