Glynn F. Voisin, Chief Administrative Law Judge:
In view of the risks presented by the novel coronavirus COVID-19, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, Office of the Chief Administrative Law Judge (OCALJ) is, effective immediately, suspending all in-person hearings, settlement judge conferences and mediations until January 1, 2021.
At the discretion of the presiding administrative law judge and in coordination with the parties, hearings may proceed by videoconference or by telephone. Similarly, settlement judge conferences and mediations may be held by videoconference or by telephone. If the parties agree that an evidentiary hearing is not needed, cases may also be presented for a decision on the record.
The parties will be notified if the hearing needs to be rescheduled. OCALJ will reassess the risks presented by in-person hearings prior to January 1, 2021, and issue a subsequent order informing the public as to whether the suspension of in-person hearings will continue.
If you have any questions with regard to the notice, please contact the presiding administrative law judge.
SO ORDERED