A conference hearing may be used if its use in the circumstances does not violate any provision of law and where there is:

1. (a) A matter in which there is no disputed issue of material fact; or
2. (b) a matter in which there is a disputed issue of material fact and the parties agree to a conference hearing.

L. 1984, ch. 313, § 33; L. 1988, ch. 356, § 18; July 1, 1989.