BIIA to improve readability of PDOs and D&Os
Readability improvement initiative
In early 2015, the BIIA surveyed attorneys, claims managers, and industrial appeals judges on how to improve the readability of proposed decisions and orders issued by judges after hearing. We worked extensively with judicial writing Professor Ron Hofer of the National Judicial College. You will see some differences in the format of our orders in the coming months as we transition to the new style.
Format changes you'll see in Proposed Decisions and Orders (PDOs) and Decisions and Orders (D&Os)
In the coming months, you will begin to notice changes in the format of PDOs and D&Os (there will be a transition period where you may see both styles):
- New format PDOs and D&Os will begin with a deeper opening statement up front to orient the reader. Judges will briefly describe the background of the case, the Department order under appeal, the parties' contentions, and the holding.
- Much of the routine procedural information, such as jurisdictional information, party appearances, witness lists, and rulings on deposition publication and objections will be relocated to the end of the order in an Addendum section.
- Discussion sections in these orders will be less repetitious. They will focus less on abstracting the testimony, and more on analyzing how the law applies to the important facts presented.
