I-2-6-50.Administrative Law Judge Introduction at the Hearing

Before making an opening statement at a hearing (see Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law manual I-2-6-52), the administrative law judge (ALJ) will:

• Introduce himself or herself, and any other person who will be assisting during the hearing, such as the hearing assistant or the verbatim hearing reporter;

• Explain the reason any person assisting with the hearing is present (e.g., to operate the recording equipment); and

• Identify any other person present and explain the person's reason for being there.

In rare circumstances, a person that the ALJ does not consider necessary and proper to the proceedings (see 20 CFR 404.944 and 416.1444) may ask to be present during the hearing. In this situation, if the ALJ finds the person's presence would not disrupt the hearing and the ALJ otherwise has no objection to the person's presence at the hearing, the ALJ will ask the claimant if he or she objects to the person being present. If a claimant objects to the person's presence, the ALJ will not allow the person to attend the hearing.