Consolidation or Severance of Matters

Consolidation or Severance of Matters. A Hearing Officer may consolidate pending matters if they involve substantially similar factual or legal issues or all parties are the same. The Hearing Officer may consolidate or sever matters on their own action or upon granting a timely motion by a party. If different Hearing Officers are assigned to the matters pending consolidation, the motion shall be submitted to the Hearing Officer assigned to the matter with the earliest scheduled hearing date. The appropriate Hearing Officer shall send a written ruling granting or denying consolidation to all parties, identifying the cases, the reasons for the decision, and notification of any consolidated prehearing conferences or consolidated hearings. The Hearing Officer may sever consolidated matters to further administrative convenience or to avoid undue prejudice. The Hearing Officer may sever consolidated matters upon their own action or upon granting a timely motion by a party.