Consolidation and Venue

(1) The judge, on the judge’s own initiative or on the motion of any party, may consolidate any claims or petitions pending before the judge for the purpose of a hearing or for any other purpose, except for a claim for reimbursement from the Special Disability Trust Fund.

(2) Any motion to consolidate cases shall be filed in only the lowest-numbered case sought to be consolidated and shall be resolved by the judge to whom that case is assigned. Any consolidation of two or more cases shall thereafter be designated as consolidated under the lowest case number of those consolidated, unless another number is ordered by the assigned judge, and shall be assigned to the judge then assigned to that lowest case number.

(3) Proceedings in any venue may be conducted virtually, in the discretion of the assigned judge.

(4) A motion to change venue shall be filed with the judge and shall contain the signature of the moving party, or, if represented, the party’s attorney of record.

(5) When a judge assigned to a case determines that the case is proceeding in an improper venue, the judge may transfer the case to the proper venue, and the Deputy Chief Judge, upon request by that judge, shall reassign to a judge in the district where venue is proper. Alternatively, the assigned judge transferring the case may retain jurisdiction and conduct proceedings virtually or live in the proper venue.

(6) For accidents occurring outside of the state, the Deputy Chief Judge’s initial determination of venue may be changed by order of the assigned judge.