For the purpose of hearing and determining cases, the judges of the court of appeals may sit together or in panels. A hearing panel shall consist of three (3) judges. For convenience in administration, each panel may be numbered, and the chief judge from time to time shall designate the number of panels and make assignments of judges among such panels. The chief judge may sit as a member of a panel and shall preside over such panel. When the chief judge is not a member of a hearing panel, he or she shall appoint a member of the panel to preside.