Section 1001.3. Liberal construction

(a) This subpart shall be liberally construed to secure the just, speedy and inexpensive determination of every action, proceeding or issue presented to which it is applicable. The Authority or presiding officer at any stage of an action or proceeding may disregard an error or defect of procedure which does not affect the substantive rights of the parties.

(b) The singular includes the plural, and the plural, the singular. Words used in the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter. Words used in the past or present tense include the future.

(c) The Authority or presiding officer at any stage of an action or proceeding may waive a requirement of this subpart when necessary or appropriate, if the waiver does not adversely affect a substantive right of a party.

(d) These liberal construction provisions apply with particularity in proceedings involving pro se litigants.

(e) Subsection (a) supersedes 1 Pa. Code § 31.2 (relating to liberal construction).