Section 18.43 - Consolidation; separate hearings(a)Consolidation. If separate proceedings before the Office of the Administrative Law Judges involve a common question of law or fact, a judge may:(1) Join for hearing any or all matters at issue in the proceedings;(2) Consolidate the proceedings; or(3) Issue any other orders to avoid unnecessary cost or delay.(b)Separate hearings. For convenience, to avoid prejudice, or to expedite and economize, the judge may order a separate hearing of one or more issues.