(a)The purpose of case management is to provide judicial assistance and management to the parties in actions for dissolution of marriage for the purpose of expediting the processing of the case, reducing the expense of litigation, and focusing on early resolution by settlement.
(b)On motion of a party, or on the court's own motion, the court shall hold a preliminary status conference for the purpose of considering whether case management shall be undertaken and a case management plan ordered. However, no case management plan shall be ordered absent stipulation of the parties, and the case management plan may be terminated at any time upon stipulation of the parties or order of the court.
(c)On stipulation of the parties, the court shall order a case management plan as provided in Section 2451.