(a) Consolidation. On the motion of a party or upon its own initiative, OTA may consolidate appeals if the facts and issues are similar and no substantial right of any party will be prejudiced. OTA will promptly notify the parties if an appeal is consolidated. Unless otherwise provided in this division or by OTA, if separate appeals before OTA are later consolidated, there will typically be one Opinion issued on the consolidated appeal, and, if a hearing is requested, the cases may also be consolidated for purposes of the oral hearing. In cases where issuing a single Opinion on all consolidated appeals is not feasible, OTA may consolidate the appeals for purposes of the oral hearing, and thereafter issue a separate Opinion for each appeal, or for any one or more of the consolidated appeals. OTA may also link the appeals for purposes of oral hearing, which means that OTA will hear the items consecutively on the same oral hearing calendar and issue a separate Opinion for each appeal.

(b) Deconsolidation. On the motion of a party or upon its own initiative, OTA may deconsolidate appeals if it determines that consolidation would have an adverse effect on a substantial right of any party or if other good cause exists to deconsolidate the appeals. OTA will promptly notify the parties if an appeal is deconsolidated.

(c) Objections. Any party may submit a written objection to consolidation or deconsolidation. Any such objection must be submitted within 15 days of the party receiving notice of the request for consolidation or deconsolidation and should establish that consolidation or deconsolidation would have an adverse effect on a substantial right of the objecting party.