§ 143-296. Powers of Industrial Commission; deputies.
§ 143‑296. Powersof Industrial Commission; deputies.
The members of the Industrial Commission, or a deputy thereof, shallhave power to issue subpoenas, administer oaths, conduct hearings, takeevidence, enter orders, opinions, and awards based thereon, punish forcontempt, and issue writs of habeas corpus ad testificandum pursuant to G.S. 97‑101.1.The Industrial Commission is authorized to appoint deputies and clericalassistants to carry out the purpose and intent of this Article, and such deputyor deputies are hereby vested with the same power and authority to hear anddetermine tort claims against State departments, institutions, and agencies asis by this Article vested in the members of the Industrial Commission. Suchdeputy or deputies shall also have and are hereby vested with the same powerand authority to hear and determine cases arising under the Workers'Compensation Act when assigned to do so by the Industrial Commission. TheCommission may order parties to participate in mediation, under rulessubstantially similar to those approved by the Supreme Court for use in theSuperior Court division, except the Commission shall determine the manner inwhich payment of the costs of the mediated settlement conference is assessed. (1951, c. 1059, s. 6; 1979, c. 714, s. 2; 1993, c.399, s. 2; c. 321, s. 25(b); 1995, c. 358, s. 8(a); c. 437, s. 6(a); c. 467, s.5(a); c. 507, s. 25.13; 1998‑217, s. 31.1(b).)