A hearing by teleconference is one in which one or more parties appears via telephone. Hearings may be conducted by teleconference only upon request in advance and only with court permission. In considering a request, the court will consider the nature and scope of the matter before the Court, the number of parties seeking to appear by phone, the associated time and cost of travel, and equity to all parties. A party requesting to appear by telephone must make the request not later than 24 hours prior to the hearing. Unless the party so requesting intends to present live witness testimony, the request may be made by sending a timely email to the courtroom deputy and placing a telephone call to the courtroom deputy. The request must include the case name and number, the attorney's name, the party represented, and a reliable means of contacting the requesting party. The courtroom deputy will notify the requesting party whether the Court has granted the request, using the contact means furnished by the requesting party. In the absence of such notification, the party or its counsel must appear in person at the hearing.