27. A Disputant that has requested a Panel shall file a written submission with the Secretariat within 45 days after the date on which it delivered the request to the Secretariat and the Secretariat shall forward copies of the submission to the other Participants.
28. The written counter-submissions of the other Participants shall be filed with the Secretariat,
(a) in the case of a Party that has filed a notice of appearance as Intervenor under Rule 24, within 21 days after the initial written submission has been filed with the Secretariat, and
(b) in the case of the Complaint Recipient, within 45 days after the initial written submission has been filed by a Disputant with the Secretariat,
and the Secretariat shall forward copies of the written submissions to each of the Participants.
29. The Panel may allow further written submissions and shall fix the time for their filing.
30. The Panel may convene a pre-hearing conference in order to determine:
(a) whether a Party has a substantial and direct connection with a person within the meaning of Article 1703(5), (6) or (7);
(b) the timing and the location of the hearing;
(c) the order in which the Participants will be heard at the hearing; and
(d) subject to Rule 31, whether an issue in the Proceeding is within the scope of the Agreement; and
(e) any other matter relevant to the Proceeding.
31. For the purposes of paragraph (d) of Rule 30:
(a) "scope" means the range of rights and obligations encompassed by the Agreement;
(b) the Panel may refuse to make the requested determination and instead direct that the issue be dealt with at the Panel hearing.