At any ethics or arbitration hearing, every party has the right to present any witnesses, to submit any evidence pertinent to the case, and to cross-examine witnesses. Witnesses giving oral testimony shall be sworn in by the Chairperson in accordance with the policy of the association. Before permitting testimony relating to the character or general reputation of anyone, the tribunal shall satisfy itself that the testimony has a direct bearing on the case at issue. Attendance at any hearing is limited to the parties and the parties’ respective counsel and/or witnesses (witnesses are excused from the hearing except during their testimony); the Hearing Panel members (including alternates); Board staff and/or counsel, as deemed necessary; any court reporter, as requested; and, in any ethics proceeding, the respondent’s Realtor® principal, consistent with Part Two, Section 13(d) of this Manual. (Revised 11/21)

The Board shall have a court reporter present at the hearing or shall record the proceeding. Any party may, at the Board’s discretion, record the proceeding or utilize a court reporter at their own expense. If a party utilizes a court reporter and orders a transcript, a copy of the transcription shall be made at the party’s expense and presented to the Professional Standards Administrator. If the Board utilizes a court reporter in lieu of recording, the parties may not be prohibited from making their own recording. (See Form #E-9, Outline of Procedure for Ethics Hearing, Part Six, and Conduct of an Ethics Hearing, Part Five.) (Revised 5/16)

Videotaping of the proceedings shall not be permitted except by advance express consent of all parties and all members of the tribunal. Any and all recording should be conducted in accordance with state law. (Revised 11/21)

Appeals or procedural review proceedings shall not be recorded by the Board or the parties. (Revised 5/16)

The Board’s recording or transcription shall be considered the official record of the proceeding. Copies of any recording or any transcript prepared from any recording of the hearing are to be used only for the purpose of appeals or procedural reviews, and may not be introduced into evidence at any subsequent hearing. Boards, at their discretion and upon the advice of counsel, may prohibit the parties from obtaining a copy of the recording or transcription if the request is received outside of the time frame allowed for appeals or procedural reviews. Any unauthorized use of the recordings or transcripts may be construed as a violation of Article 14, as interpreted by the applicable Standards of Practice, and as a violation of these procedures. (Revised 5/16)

Any party to a hearing has the right to obtain a copy of the Board’s official recording, subject to the aforementioned limitations, and subject to payment of the Board’s duplication costs. Any duplication will be conducted under the supervision of the Board. If the Board transcribes its official recording, any party to the hearing may obtain a copy of the transcript, subject to the aforementioned limitations and paying the Board’s transcription costs. If more than one party requests copies of the transcript, the Board’s costs will be apportioned between or among the parties. (Revised 5/16)

If a party purchases a copy of the Board’s official recording and subsequently has it transcribed at his own expense, that party must provide a copy of the transcript to the Board at no cost. After the Board has received a copy of the transcript (made from the Board’s official recording), the Board shall make copies of the transcript available to any other party subject to their payment of the Board’s duplication costs. (Revised 11/10)

It is recommended that recordings produced by the Board be maintained in the confidential professional standards files until a date when any sanction imposed by the Board has been completed. (Revised 5/16)

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