(a) Recusal, Withdrawal of Panelist
If at any time a Panelist of a Hearing Panel or an Extended Hearing Panel determines that he or she has a conflict of interest or bias or circumstances otherwise exist where his or her fairness might reasonably be questioned, the Panelist shall notify the Hearing Officer and the Hearing Officer shall issue and serve on the Parties a notice stating that the Panelist has withdrawn from the matter. In the event that a Panelist withdraws, is incapacitated, or otherwise is unable to continue service after being appointed, the Chief Hearing Officer may, in the exercise of discretion, determine whether to appoint a replacement Panelist. In the event that both Panelists withdraw, are incapacitated, or otherwise are unable to continue service after being appointed, the Chief Hearing Officer shall appoint two replacement Panelists.
(b) Disqualification: Motion of Party; Order of Chief Hearing Officer
(1) A Party may file a motion to disqualify a Panelist of a Hearing Panel or an Extended Hearing Panel. A motion shall be based upon a reasonable, good faith belief that a conflict of interest or bias exists or circumstances otherwise exist where the Panelist's fairness might reasonably be questioned, and shall be accompanied by an affidavit setting forth in detail the facts alleged to constitute grounds for disqualification, and the dates on which the Party learned of those facts.
(2) Such motions shall be filed not later than 15 days after the later of:
(A) when the Party learned of the facts believed to constitute the disqualification; or
(B) when the Party was notified of the appointment of the Panelist.
(3) The Chief Hearing Officer may order the disqualification of a Panelist of a Hearing Panel or an Extended Hearing Panel if the Chief Hearing Officer determines that a conflict of interest or bias exists or circumstances otherwise exist where the Panelist's fairness might reasonably be questioned, and shall state the facts constituting the grounds for disqualification.
(c) Disposition of Disqualification Motion: Challenge to Single Member of Hearing Panel
If a Party files a motion to disqualify a Panelist of a Hearing Panel or an Extended Hearing Panel, the Hearing Officer shall promptly investigate whether disqualification is required and shall issue a written ruling on the motion. In the event a Panelist is disqualified, the Chief Hearing Officer may, in the exercise of discretion, appoint a replacement Panelist.
(d) Disposition of Disqualification Motion: Challenge to Both Panelists of Hearing Panel or Extended Hearing Panel
If a Party files a motion to disqualify both Panelists of a Hearing Panel or an Extended Hearing Panel, the Hearing Officer shall promptly investigate whether disqualification is required and shall issue a written ruling on the motion. In the event one Panelist is disqualified, the Chief Hearing Officer may, in the exercise of discretion, appoint a replacement Panelist. In the event both Panelists are disqualified, the Chief Hearing Officer shall promptly appoint two persons as replacement Panelists.
(e) Disposition of Disqualification Motion: Challenge to Both Panelists of Hearing Panel or Extended Hearing Panel and Hearing Officer
If a Party files a motion to disqualify both Panelists of a Hearing Panel or an Extended Hearing Panel, and the Hearing Officer, the Chief Hearing Officer shall promptly investigate whether disqualification is required and shall issue a written ruling on the motion. In the event a Panelist is disqualified, the Chief Hearing Officer may, in the exercise of discretion, appoint a replacement Panelist. In the event both Panelists are disqualified, the Chief Hearing Officer shall promptly appoint two persons as replacement Panelists. In the event a Hearing Officer and a Panelist are disqualified, the Chief Hearing Officer shall promptly appoint a replacement Hearing Officer. In the event both Panelists and the Hearing Officer are disqualified, the Chief Hearing Officer shall promptly appoint a replacement Hearing Officer and two persons as replacement Panelists.
(f) Criteria for Replacement Panelist
If the Chief Hearing Officer appoints a replacement Panelist by operation of this Rule, the Chief Hearing Officer shall do so using the criteria set forth in
Rule 9232.
