Section 27-120-9.9 - ASSIGNMENT OF CASES; SCHEDULING OF PREHEARING CONFERENCEA. The Administrative Office shall assign cases to the hearing officers in a manner that is most efficient and effective to hear and decide cases.B. When, in the opinion of the hearing officer, pending appeals involve a common question of law or fact, he or she may, on his or her own motion or upon motion of a party, order that the appeals be consolidated.C. When, in the opinion of the hearing officer, the issues and circumstances of an appeal warrant that the hearing be conducted before the three hearing officers en banc instead of a single hearing officer, he or she may issue an order or notice to that effect.D. Once a case is filed, prehearing conferences may be held at the discretion of the presiding hearing officer to simplify the issues, procedures, and evidence in order to fairly hear and decide the case.27 Miss. Code. R. 120-9.9