(a) Inquiries about cases. Except for ex parte communications that are prohibited under 43 CFR 4.27, all inquiries by a party to a matter pending before the Board should be directed to the Board's clerk, and all inquiries by a non-party to a matter pending before the Board should be directed to the chief administrative judge of the Board or the administrative judge assigned the matter.

(b) Disqualification. An administrative judge may withdraw from a case in accordance with standards found in the recognized canons of judicial ethics if the judge deems this action appropriate. If, before a decision of the Board, a party files an affidavit of personal bias or disqualification with substantiating facts, and the administrative judge concerned does not withdraw, the OHA Director will determine the matter of disqualification.