This has always been the policy, but not disclosed to the rank and file until now.
Here is how it goes: If the body of elders has received a credible report of wrongdoing the body assigns two brothers to investigate. The two brothers investigate and report back their findings. If they find that there is in fact wrongdoing of a gross nature, the body of elders establishes a judicial committee to handle the matter. This is usually the two brothers that looked into it initially and one other Brother. A Chairman is selected by the body. Now the body is out of it. It is strictly handled by the judicial committee.
The committee first listens to all testimony and evidence. This is done separately. Then they try to establish a meeting with the accused. If the accused won't meet with them after several attempts, they will set the meeting date and time for the judicial hearing and notify the accused (verbally only). Then the committee will meet, consider all the information and come to a conclusion whether the accused is there or not. If the conclusion is to disfellowship, they will advise the accused verbally and give them time to appeal. If they don't appeal within 7 days, the disfellowshipping will be announced at the next Service Meeting.
This procedure also applies to the appeal process. If they don't show-up the appeal committee proceeds. It should be noted that the appeal committee is only concerned whether the judicial committeee acted properly and within the WTS guidelines. They do not re-open the case, and consider the testimony, etc. The appeal committee is in place to help protect the WTS from a law suit. That's it. It has nothing to do with making sure that the accused gets a fair shake.