Opinion ID: 889038
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: arbitration hearing

Text: 7.1 If both parties agree to waive a hearing, the arbitrators shall decide the dispute upon written statements of position, signed under oath or affirmation and notarized, along with any supporting documents submitted by each party, without personal attendance at an arbitration hearing. 7.2 If a hearing is requested by either party, it shall be held in the judicial district from which the board is chosen, within ninety (90) days after the final arbitration Board has been selected, subject to postponement or continuance as provided in 7.5. The Chair shall determine a convenient time and place for the hearing and cause written notice to be mailed to the parties and other arbitrators not less than twenty (20) days before the hearing. Appearance by a party at a scheduled hearing shall constitute waiver by said party of any deficiency with respect to the notice of hearing. Either party or an arbitrator may appear by telephone, for good cause shown, at the discretion of the State Bar. 7.3 The parties shall submit copies of all documents to be reviewed, along with a list of witnesses, to each arbitrator, and to the opposing party no less than ten (10) days before the date of the hearing. Documents not timely submitted shall be excluded absent a showing of good cause as determined by the Chair. 7.4 The Chair shall preside at the hearing. The chair shall be the judge of the relevance of the evidence offered and shall rule on questions of procedure. The Chair shall exercise all powers relating to the conduct of the hearing, and conformity to Federal or Montana Rules of Evidence shall not be required. 7.5 The hearing may be postponed or continued from time to time by the Chair. 7.6 The parties to the arbitration are entitled to be heard, present evidence and crossexamine the other party or witnesses appearing at the hearing. Any party to an arbitration has the right to be represented by an attorney, at the party's own expense, during all stages of the arbitration. 7.7 The testimony of witnesses may be given under oath or affirmation. The chair shall administer such oaths. 7.8 If any party to an arbitration who has been duly notified fails to appear at the hearing, the Chair may either proceed with the hearing and determine the controversy upon the evidence produced or reschedule the hearing for a later date. 7.9 Either party may, at their expense, have the entire proceeding recorded by a court reporter or by mechanical means. In such event, the other party shall be entitled to a copy of the transcript or recording at their own expense. 5