Pleadings shall be considered closed if—
| (a) | either party has joined issue without alleging any new matter, and without adding any further pleading; |
| (b) | the last day allowed for filing a replication or subsequent pleading has elapsed and it has not been filed; |
| (c) | the parties agree in writing that the pleadings are closed and such agreement is filed with the registrar or clerk of the court; or |
| (d) | the parties are unable to agree as to the close of pleadings, and the court upon the application of a party declares them closed. |
