(a) Policy favoring telephone appearances The intent of this rule is to promote uniformity in the practices and procedures relating to telephone appearances in civil cases. To improve access to the courts and reduce litigation costs, courts should permit parties, to the extent feasible, to appear by telephone at appropriate conferences, hearings, and proceedings in civil cases. (Subd (a) adopted effective January 1, 2008.) (b) Application Subdivisions (c) through (i) of this rule are suspended from