Section 25B

Without prejudice to the generality of section 25A(1), at any time after a claim for compensation has been made under section 11, the Commissioner may direct parties to attend a pre- hearing conference by serving a notice to the parties.

At the pre-hearing conference, the Commissioner may consider any matter including the possibility of settlement of all or any of the issues for the hearing and require the parties to furnish the Commissioner with any such information and document as he thinks fit, and may also give all such directions as appear to be necessary or desirable for the determination of any issue for hearing.

If any party defaults in complying with any such directions as may be given by the Commissioner under subsection (2), the Commissioner may, either in his own discretion or upon the application of any party, make a decision concerning the claim and in pursuance of that decision, make such order for payment of compensation as he thinks just.

Any order made under subsection (3) may be set aside or varied by the Commissioner, on the application of any party, on such terms, if any, as he thinks just.

At any time during the pre-hearing conference where the parties are agreeable to a settlement of some or all of the matters for hearing, the Commissioner may record that settlement and make an order to give effect to the settlement.