With the litigants' 'Reply Findings of Fact/Conclusions of Law'...

With the litigants' 'Reply Findings of Fact/Conclusions of Law' submitted on 17 Nov 2014, the Evidentiary Hearing process was completed except for the ASLB's Initial Decision.

The Initial Decision was due 9 Jan 2015, but we were informed on 6 Jan that, due to the death of Judge Cole, the Initial Decision would be delayed to 23 Jan.

The 23rd has come and gone with no further announcement.

I would suggest that this further delay confirms my long-held view that the Hearing issues are complex and real - and that the Hearing process is far from just a 'procedural matter' and a 'ticking boxes' exercise that many here have purported it to be.

Clearly, with more than 2 months passing since the 'Conclusions on Law' were lodged, and despite Judge Cole's death, the ASLB is not finding it easy to arrive at a final and consensus view. Whichever way it goes.