(a) No adjudication officer shall conduct any proceedings in a
claim in which he or she is prejudiced or partial, or where he or she
has any interest in the matter pending for decision. A decision to
withdraw from the consideration of a claim shall be within the
discretion of the adjudication officer. If that adjudication officer
withdraws, another officer shall be designated by the Director or the
Chief Administrative Law Judge, as the case may be, to complete the
adjudication of the claim.
(b) No adjudication officer shall be permitted to appear or act as
a representative of a party under this part while such individual is
employed as an adjudication officer. No adjudication officer shall be
permitted at any time to appear or act as a representative in
connection with any case or claim in which he or she was personally
involved. No fee or reimbursement shall be awarded under this part to
an individual who acts in violation of this paragraph.
(c) No adjudication officer shall act in any claim involving a
party which employed such adjudication officer within one year before
the adjudication of such claim.
(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, no adjudication
officer shall be permitted to act in any claim involving a party who is
related to the adjudication officer by consanguinity or affinity within
the third degree as determined by the law of the place where such party
is domiciled. Any action taken by an adjudication officer in knowing
violation of this paragraph shall be void.
