Notices to Counsel | Guidance Paper sets out procedures for teleconferences

Teleconferences play an important role in resolving claims in the Independent Assessment Process.

Failure by counsel to attend a scheduled teleconference can delay the scheduling of a hearing or the resolution of a claim. Recently the number of postponed teleconferences has increased.

To address this issue, and to move claims forward, the Chief Adjudicator has introduced a Guidance Paper on attending teleconferences.

The Guidance Paper sets out procedures to be followed at teleconferences:

• All participants must receive a notice of the teleconference.
• Claimants who are represented by counsel are not normally expected to attend teleconferences, but are allowed to participate if they choose to.
• Failure by one of the parties to attend a teleconference on the first occasion will result in a postponement.
• If a party fails to attend a re-scheduled teleconference, the adjudicator may impose conditions, including,
  • Not allowing any further postponements,
  • Requiring that participants confirm their attendance at subsequent teleconferences in writing; and
  • Any other conditions that the adjudicator finds reasonable.

Adjudicators have the authority to proceed with a teleconference if counsel fails to attend. If a teleconference proceeds without the participation of one of the parties, the adjudicator will record the teleconference and provide a report on the outcome.

Adjudicators have the authority to dismiss a claim if a participant fails to attend, subject to the procedures for dismissal outlined in the Incomplete File Resolution procedure.

Read the Chief Adjudicator’s Guidance Paper 10 on attendance at teleconferences.