Section 10.70 - Administrative Law Judge(a)Appointment. Proceedings on complaints for the sanction (as described in § 10.50 ) of a practitioner, employer, firm or other entity, or appraiser will be conducted by an Administrative Law Judge appointed as provided by 5 U.S.C. 3105 .(b)Powers of the Administrative Law Judge. The Administrative Law Judge, among other powers, has the authority, in connection with any proceeding under § 10.60 assigned or referred to him or her, to do the following:(1) Administer oaths and affirmations;(2) Make rulings on motions and requests, which rulings may not be appealed prior to the close of a hearing except in extraordinary circumstances and at the discretion of the Administrative Law Judge;(3) Determine the time and place of hearing and regulate its course and conduct;(4) Adopt rules of procedure and modify the same from time to time as needed for the orderly disposition of proceedings;(5) Rule on offers of proof, receive relevant evidence, and examine witnesses;(6) Take or authorize the taking of depositions or answers to requests for admission;(7) Receive and consider oral or written argument on facts or law;(8) Hold or provide for the holding of conferences for the settlement or simplification of the issues with the consent of the parties;(9) Perform such acts and take such measures as are necessary or appropriate to the efficient conduct of any proceeding; and(c)Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable on September 26, 2007.T.D. 9011, 67 FR 48765 , July 26, 2002, as amended by T.D. 9359, 72 FR 54552 , Sept. 26, 2007