N.J. Admin. Code § 1:12-14.5

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 1:12-14.5 - Scheduling of hearings

(a) Hearings before the Board of Review or Appeal Tribunal may be conducted in-person or by telephone. A telephone hearing, which means a hearing at which any party, witness, representative or attorney appears via telephone, may be initiated by the Board of Review or the Appeal Tribunal or upon the request of any party with the consent of the Board of Review or the Appeal Tribunal. Both in-person and telephone hearings shall be subject to the rules governing hearings and appeals in this chapter.

(b) The Board of Review or Appeal Tribunal will schedule telephone hearings:

1. When it appears from the record that a party or necessary witness is located more than 50 miles from the location from which the Board of Review or Appeal Tribunal will conduct the hearing;

2. When a party or witness cannot appear in person because of a physical, medical or other compelling reason;

3. For good cause shown on a case-by-case basis ; or

4. For the administrative expedience of the Board of Review or Appeal Tribunal.

(c) Any party to an appeal may request a telephone hearing by immediately contacting the Board of Review or Appeal Tribunal upon receipt of the notice of the scheduled in-person hearing with reasons for the request to have a telephone hearing. Prior to the hearing, the requesting party shall provide written notice to all other interested parties of the request for the telephone hearing.

(d) Any party may object to a telephone hearing. Objections shall be made immediately upon receipt of the notice or request for a telephone hearing and shall:

1. Be received by the Board of Review or Appeal Tribunal in advance of the hearing; and

2. Set forth the reasons supporting the objections.

(e) The Board of Review or Appeal Tribunal may deny a party's objection to a telephone hearing if the Board of Review or Appeal Tribunal determines:

1. That the objecting party's intent is to purposely inconvenience the other party or delay the proceeding;

2. That a party or witness is more than 50 miles away from the hearing site;

3. That a person is unable to appear in person because of physical, medical or other compelling reason; or

4. That good cause exists to order a telephone hearing notwithstanding the party's objection.

(f) The Board of Review or Appeal Tribunal may deny a party's objection to an in-person hearing when good cause exists to order an in-person hearing notwithstanding the party's objection.

(g) If the Board of Review or Appeal Tribunal accepts a party's objections, an appropriate hearing, either in-person or by telephone, shall be scheduled by the Board of Review or Appeal Tribunal.

(h) The Board of Review or Appeal Tribunal shall exercise its discretion in granting or denying such requests and immediately notify the parties of its decision.

N.J. Admin. Code § 1:12-14.5

Amended by R.1999 d.291, effective 9/7/1999.
See: 31 New Jersey Register 1550(a), 31 New Jersey Register 2603(a).
Inserted (b)4 and (f)4.
Amended by R.2005 d.107, effective 4/4/2005.
See: 36 New Jersey Register 3957(a), 37 New Jersey Register 1015(b).
Rewrote the section.