18.—(1) Where, in a personal injuries action, the court considers it appropriate, it shall direct that a hearing be held before the trial of the action for the purposes of determining what matters relating to the action are in dispute.

(2) All parties to a personal injuries action shall be entitled to be heard at a hearing held pursuant to a direction under subsection (1).

(3) A hearing held pursuant to a direction under subsection (1) shall be presided over by—

(a) in the case of a personal injuries action brought in the High Court, a judge of the High Court, the Master of the High Court, a Deputy Master of the High Court or an officer nominated under paragraph 6(1) of the Eighth Schedule to the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961, as the President of the High Court may direct,

(b) in the case of a personal injuries action brought in the Circuit Court, a judge of the Circuit Court, the county registrar for the county in which the action was brought or a member of the staff of the Circuit Court Office in the county in which the action was brought, as the President of the Circuit Court may direct,

(c) in the case of a personal injuries action brought in the District Court, a judge of the District Court.

(4) This section is in addition to and not in substitution for any power of a court to give directions in relation to any matter in a personal injuries action.