Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 25, June 22, 2024
Section 131.54 - Manner and conduct of hearings(a) The judge will conduct fair and impartial hearings and maintain order. At the discretion of the judge, the hearings may be conducted by telephone or other electronic means if the parties do not object. Disregard by participants or counsel of record of the rulings of the judge shall be noted on the record, and if the judge deems it appropriate, will be made the subject of a written report to the Director of Adjudication together with recommendations.(b) If the participants or counsel are guilty of disrespectful, disorderly or contumacious language or conduct in connection with a hearing, the judge may suspend the hearing or take other action as the judge deems appropriate, including the submission of a written report to the Director of Adjudication together with recommendations.(c) A witness whose identity has not been revealed as provided in this chapter may not be permitted to testify on behalf of the defaulting party unless the testimony is allowed within the judge's discretion.(d) In addition to subsections (a)-(c), the judge may proceed under § 131.13(m) (relating to continuances or postponements of hearings).(e) Subsections (a)-(d) supersede 1 Pa. Code §§ 31.21-31.23, 31.27 and 31.28 and also supersede 1 Pa. Code Chapter 35, Subchapter E.The provisions of this § 131.54 adopted March 29, 1991, effective 3/30/1991, 21 Pa.B. 1401; amended December 6, 2002, effective 12/7/2002, 32 Pa.B. 6043; amended October 16, 2009, effective 10/17/2009, 39 Pa.B. 6038.The provisions of this § 131.54 amended under sections 401.1 and 435(a) and (c) of the Workers' Compensation Act (77 P. S. §§ 710 and 991(a) and (c)); section 2205 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 565); and section 414 of The Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act (77 P. S. § 1514).