Was the Certificate of Service form on the Telephone Information Return Form completed?
The Administrative Law Judge needs to follow strict rules on testimony because all the hearings are recorded and the Judge is required to establish a record of the hearing. Before any witness testifies, the Administrative Law Judge will give an oath that the witness will tell the truth during their testimony. With hearings being performed over the telephone, it is also difficult to distinguish who was testifying when several witnesses are talking at the same time. It is important that only one individual speaks at a time. Participants should not blurt out testimony because they may not be under oath and such statements may not be admissible for the record. Witnesses should also not be interrupted because it may be difficult for an Administrative Law Judge to tell what party was speaking when they review the recording in making a decision. Hearing participants should remember that the Administrative Law Judge will give each witness plenty of time to be heard on this issue. However, shou
