(a) The SMALL CLAIMS (EXPEDITED) procedure provides for simplified rules of procedure to facilitate the decision of an appeal, whenever possible, within 120 days from the date such procedure is elected.
(b) Promptly upon receipt of an appellant's election of the SMALL CLAIMS (EXPEDITED) procedure, the assigned Administrative Judge shall take the following actions, if feasible, in an informal meeting or a telephone conference with both parties:
(1) Identify and simplify the issues in dispute;
(2) Establish a simplified procedure appropriate to the particular appeal;
(3) Determine whether the appellant desires a hearing and, if so, fix a time and place for the hearing, and
(4) Establish a schedule for the expedited resolution of the appeal.
(c) The subpoena power set forth in Rule 24 is available for use under the SMALL CLAIMS (EXPEDITED) procedure.
(d) The filing of pleadings, motions, discovery proceedings or prehearing procedures will be permitted only to the extent consistent with the requirement of conducting the hearing at the scheduled time and place or, if no hearing is scheduled, of closing the record at an early time so as to permit a decision of the appeal within the 120-day time limit. The Board, in its discretion, may impose shortened time periods for any actions required or permitted under these rules, necessary to enable the Board to decide the appeal within the 120-day time limit, allowing whatever time, up to 30 days, that the Board considers necessary for the preparation of the decision after closing the record and the filing of briefs, if any.
(e) Decisions in appeals considered under the SMALL CLAIMS (EXPEDITED) procedure are rendered by a single Administrative Judge. Written decisions of appeals considered under this procedure are short and contain only summary findings of fact and conclusions. If there has been a hearing on the appeal, the presiding Administrative Judge may, in his or her discretion, hear closing oral arguments of the parties and then render an oral decision on the appeal. Such decision will include summary findings of fact and conclusions. Whenever such an oral decision is rendered, the Board subsequently furnishes the parties with a written transcript of the oral decision for record and payment purposes and to commence the time period for the filing of a motion for reconsideration under Rule 33.
(f) Decisions of the Board under the SMALL CLAIMS (EXPEDITED) procedure shall have no value as precedent. Except in cases of fraud, decisions rendered under the SMALL CLAIMS (EXPEDITED) procedure may not be appealed by either party.