Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, testimony at the hearing will be given orally by witnesses under oath or affirmation.

At the discretion of the ALJ, testimony may be admitted in the form of a written statement or deposition. The party offering a written statement must provide all other parties with a copy of the written statement along with the last known address of the witness. Sufficient time must be allowed for other parties to subpoena the witness for cross-examination at the hearing. Prior written statements and deposition transcripts of witnesses identified to testify at the hearing must be exchanged as provided in § 308.521(a) of this subpart.

The ALJ will exercise reasonable control over the mode and order of interrogating witnesses and presenting evidence so as to:

Make the interrogation and presentation effective for the ascertainment of the truth;

Avoid needless consumption of time; and

Protect witnesses from harassment or undue embarrassment.

The ALJ will permit the parties to conduct such cross-examination as may be required for a full and true disclosure of the facts.

At the discretion of the ALJ, a witness may be cross-examined on matters relevant to the proceeding without regard to the scope of his or her direct examination. To the extent permitted by the ALJ, cross-examination on matters outside the scope of direct examination will be conducted in the manner of direct examination and may proceed by leading questions only if the witness is a hostile witness, an adverse party, or a witness identified with an adverse party.

Upon motion of any party, the ALJ will order witnesses excluded so that they cannot hear the testimony of other witnesses. This rule does not authorize exclusion of:

A party who is an individual;

In the case of a party that is not an individual, an officer or employee of the party appearing for the entity pro se or designated by the party's representative; or

An individual whose presence is shown by a party to be essential to the presentation of its case, including an individual employed by the Corporation engaged in assisting the representative for the Corporation.