La. Admin. Code tit. 1 § III-527

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section III-527 - Prehearing Order

A. The administrative law judge may require, prior to the adjudicatory hearing, that the parties submit a joint proposed prehearing order approved and signed by all parties or their counsel of record. Except as otherwise ordered by the administrative law judge, the proposed prehearing order should set forth the following:

1. a brief but comprehensive statement of the factual and legal contentions of each party;

2. a list of the legal authority (including statutes, code articles, regulations and cases) to be relied upon by each party at the adjudicatory hearing;

3. a detailed itemization of all pertinent uncontested facts established by pleadings, stipulations and admissions;

4. a detailed itemization of all contested issues of fact;

5. a list of all contested issues of law;

6. a list and brief description of all exhibits to be offered in evidence by each party. Exhibits to be used solely for impeachment or rebuttal need not be included on the list;

7. a list naming the fact witnesses and the expert witnesses each party may call and a short statement as to the nature of their testimony. Witnesses to be called solely for impeachment or rebuttal need not be included on the list;

8. a list of all matters to be officially noticed;

9. a statement by each party as to the estimated length of time necessary to present its case;

10. all other stipulations;

11. a list of all pending motions;

12. a statement as to any other matters that may be relevant to a prompt disposition of the case;

13. the following certification: "We certify that we have conferred for the purpose of preparing this joint proposed prehearing order and that we have no objections to the contents of this prehearing order other than those attached"; and this order:

"IT IS ORDERED that this matter is set for hearing at _______ o'clock, __.M. on the _____ day of __________, 20__ and to continue until completed."

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ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE

B. In the event that any party disagrees with the proposed prehearing order, or any part of it he shall attach to the order a signed statement of his opposition and his reasons, but shall sign the joint proposed prehearing order which shall be deemed to be approved in all respects except those covered in the statement of opposition.

C. The person who has certified the prehearing order should attend the prehearing conference and the adjudicatory hearing. Any counsel or other representative attending the prehearing conference shall be knowledgeable of aspects of the case and possess the necessary authority to commit his client, associate counsel and witnesses to changes, stipulations and hearing dates.

D. At the conclusion of the prehearing conference, the administrative law judge shall sign the order setting the case for the adjudicatory hearing. Thereafter no amendments to the prehearing order shall be made except at the discretion of the administrative law judge based upon consent of the parties or for good cause shown. If a party fails to cooperate in preparing or filing a prehearing order, the administrative law judge may proceed with the prehearing conference, sign the prehearing order as drafted, continue the prehearing conference, continue the hearing, or order such other action as necessary to facilitate the hearing.

La. Admin. Code tit. 1, § III-527

Promulgated by Department of Civil Service, Division of Administrative Law, LR 28:44 (January 2002), amended LR 38:2948 (November 2012).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 49:991 et seq.