Within 20 days after the filing of an answer, or the expiration of the time for filing an answer if no answer is filed, the secretary of the division shall fix a time and place for hearing the petition, or shall send the petition and answer or a transcript of the petition and answer to the director, a deputy director or 1 of the referees, in which case such director, deputy director or referee, within 20 days after the filing of the answer, shall fix a time and place for the hearing of the petition. Such time shall be not less than 4 weeks nor more than 6 weeks after the filing of the petition, provided however, that in cases where the extent of permanent disability, total or partial, is an issue, the determination of such issue shall be deferred as provided in section 34:15-16 of this Title. The petition shall be heard either in the county in which the injury occurred or in which the petitioner or respondent resides, or in which the respondent’s place of business is located, or in which the respondent may be served with process. When a time and place has been fixed for such hearing, the director, deputy director or the referee to whom the cause has been referred shall give at least 10 days’ notice to each party of the time and place of hearing. The director, deputy director or any referee to whom a cause has been referred, shall have power to adjourn the hearing thereof from time to time in his discretion.

Amended by L.1945, c. 74, p. 394, s. 14; L.1956, c. 141, p. 578, s. 7.