Sec.21a-1-23a. Pre-hearing procedure in contested cases

(a) Any time after the issuance of a complaint and before the scheduled hearing date, the commissioner may order or a respondent may request an informal pre-hearing conference. The granting or denial of a request for a pre-hearing conference is within the complete discretion of the commissioner or such presiding officer as has been designated by the commissioner.

(b) A pre-hearing conference may be held for any of the following purposes:

(1) to narrow the scope of the issues in dispute;

(2) to obtain stipulations as to matters of fact;

(3) to stipulate as to the authenticity of documents which are to be offered in evidence;

(4) to stipulate as to the qualifications of any expert witnesses who are to testify at the hearing; and

(5) to discuss the possibility of an informal disposition of the complaint.

(c) A pre-hearing conference need not be recorded, but a written record will be made of any stipulations as to matters of fact, as to the authenticity of documents, or as to the qualifications of expert witnesses. Any such written record will be signed by each of the individual respondents or his counsel and by the commissioner or his authorized representative.

(Effective June 27, 1985)