Section 5708 Of Chapter 5. Hearings From California Labor Code >> Division 4. >> Part 4. >> Chapter 5.
5708
. All hearings and investigations before the appeals board or a
workers' compensation judge are governed by this division and by the
rules of practice and procedures adopted by the appeals board. In
the conduct thereof they shall not be bound by the common law or
statutory rules of evidence and procedure, but may make inquiry in
the manner, through oral testimony and records, which is best
calculated to ascertain the substantial rights of the parties and
carry out justly the spirit and provisions of this division. All oral
testimony, objections, and rulings shall be taken down in shorthand
by a competent phonographic reporter.