(1) The neutral chairperson may, upon his or her own motion or upon request of a party, convene a prehearing conference or conferences.

(a) The purpose or purposes of a prehearing conference include to consider:

(i) Simplification of issues;

(ii) The possibility of obtaining stipulations, admissions of fact and admissions of the genuineness of documents which will avoid unnecessary proof;

(iii) Limitations on the number and consolidation of the examination of witnesses;

(iv) Procedural matters;

(v) Distribution of written testimony and exhibits to the parties prior to the hearing; and

(vi) Such other matters as may aid in the disposition or settlement of the case.

(b) Prehearing conferences may be held by telephone conference call or at a time and place specified by the neutral chairperson.

(c) Following a prehearing conference, the neutral chairperson shall issue an order reciting the action taken at the conference, and the agreements made by the parties concerning all of the matters considered. If no objection is filed within ten days after the date that the order is mailed, it shall control the subsequent course of the case unless modified for good cause by subsequent order.

(2) The arbitration panel shall promptly establish a date, time, and place for a hearing and shall provide reasonable notice to the parties. For good cause shown, the neutral chairperson may adjourn the hearing upon the request of a party or upon his or her own initiative. The parties may waive oral hearing by written agreement.

(a) A tape recording of the hearing shall be taken and shall be the official record of the hearing, unless the parties agree to take a transcript. If the parties do not agree to take a transcript and share in its cost, a party may take a transcript at its own expense. If a copy of the transcript is provided to the neutral chairperson, all parties shall have access to a copy.

(b) The statutory prohibition against a partisan arbitrator presenting the case for a party shall not preclude another member of the same organization or firm from presenting the case at the hearing.