5 C.F.R. Subpart H—Attorney Fees (Plus Costs, Expert Witness Fees, and Litigation Expenses, Where Applicable), Consequential Damages, and Compensatory Damages
Title 5 - Administrative Personnel
Source: 63 FR 41179, Aug. 3, 1998, unless otherwise noted.
(a) This subpart governs Board proceedings for awards of attorney fees (plus costs, expert witness fees, and litigation expenses, where applicable), consequential damages, and compensatory damages. (b) There are seven statutory provisions covering attorney fee awards. Because most MSPB cases are appeals under 5 U.S.C. 7701, most requests for attorney fees will be governed by §1201.202(a)(1). There are, however, other attorney fee provisions that apply only to specific kinds of cases. For example, §1201.202(a)(4) applies only to certain whistleblower appeals. Sections 1201.202(a)(5) and (a)(6) apply only to corrective and disciplinary action cases brought by the Special Counsel. Section 1201.202(a)(7) applies only to appeals brought under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. (c) An award of consequential damages is authorized in only two situations: Where the Board orders corrective action in a whistleblower appeal under 5 U.S.C. 1221, and where the Board orders corrective action in a Special Counsel complaint under 5 U.S.C. 1214. Consequential damages include such items as medical costs and travel expenses, and other costs as determined by the Board through case law. (d) The Civil Rights Act of 1991 (42 U.S.C. 1981a) authorizes an award of compensatory damages to a prevailing party who is found to have been intentionally discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability. Compensatory damages include pecuniary losses, future pecuniary losses, and nonpecuniary losses, such as emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. (a) Awards of attorney fees (plus costs, expert witness fees, and litigation expenses, where applicable). The Board is authorized by various statutes to order payment of attorney fees and, where applicable, costs, expert witness fees, and litigation expenses. These statutory authorities include, but are not limited to, the following authorities to order payment of: (1) Attorney fees, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 7701(g)(1), where the appellant or respondent is the prevailing party in an appeal under 5 U.S.C. 7701 or an agency action against an administrative law judge under 5 U.S.C. 7521, and an award is warranted in the interest of justice; (2) Attorney fees, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 7701(g)(2), where the appellant or respondent is the prevailing party in an appeal under 5 U.S.C. 7701, a request to review an arbitration decision under 5 U.S.C. 7121(d), or an agency action against an administrative law judge under 5 U.S.C. 7521, and the decision is based on a finding of discrimination prohibited under 5 U.S.C. 2302(b)(1); (3) Attorney fees and costs, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 1221(g)(2), where the appellant is the prevailing party in an appeal under 5 U.S.C. 7701 and the Board's decision is based on a finding of a prohibited personnel practice; (4) Attorney fees and costs, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 1221(g)(1)(B), where the Board orders corrective action in a whistleblower appeal to which 5 U.S.C. 1221 applies; (5) Attorney fees, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 1214(g)(2) or 5 U.S.C. 7701(g)(1), where the Board orders corrective action in a Special Counsel complaint under 5 U.S.C. 1214; (6) Attorney fees, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 1204(m), where the respondent is the prevailing party in a Special Counsel complaint for disciplinary action under 5 U.S.C. 1215; (7) Attorney fees, expert witness fees, and litigation expenses, as authorized by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, 38 U.S.C. 4324(c)(4); and (8) Attorney fees, expert witness fees, and other litigation expenses, as authorized by the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act; 5 U.S.C. 3330c(b). (b) Awards of consequential damages. The Board may order payment of consequential damages, including medical costs incurred, travel expenses, and any other reasonable and foreseeable consequential damages: (1) As authorized by 5 U.S.C. 1221(g)(1)(A)(ii), where the Board orders corrective action in a whistleblower appeal to which 5 U.S.C. 1221 applies; and (2) As authorized by 5 U.S.C. 1214(g)(2), where the Board orders corrective action in a Special Counsel complaint under 5 U.S.C. 1214. (c) Awards of compensatory damages. The Board may order payment of compensatory damages, as authorized by section 102 of the Civil Rights Act of 1991 (42 U.S.C. 1981a), based on a finding of unlawful intentional discrimination but not on an employment practice that is unlawful because of its disparate impact under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Compensatory damages include pecuniary losses, future pecuniary losses, and nonpecuniary losses such as emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. (d) Definitions. For purposes of this subpart: (1) A proceeding on the merits is a proceeding to decide an appeal of an agency action under 5 U.S.C. 1221 or 7701, an appeal under 38 U.S.C. 4324, an appeal under 5 U.S.C. 3330a, a request to review an arbitration decision under 5 U.S.C. 7121(d), a Special Counsel complaint under 5 U.S.C. 1214 or 1215, or an agency action against an administrative law judge under 5 U.S.C. 7521. (2) An addendum proceeding is a proceeding conducted after issuance of a final decision in a proceeding on the merits, including a decision accepting the parties' settlement of the case. The final decision in the proceeding on the merits may be an initial decision of a judge that has become final under §1201.113 of this part or a final decision of the Board. [63 FR 41179, Aug. 3, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 5409, Feb. 4, 2000] (a) Form and content of request. A request for attorney fees must be made by motion, must state why the appellant or respondent believes he or she is entitled to an award under the applicable statutory standard, and must be supported by evidence substantiating the amount of the request. Evidence supporting a motion for attorney fees must include at a minimum: (1) Accurate and current time records; (2) A copy of the terms of the fee agreement (if any); (3) A statement of the attorney's customary billing rate for similar work, with evidence that that rate is consistent with the prevailing community rate for similar services in the community in which the attorney ordinarily practices; and (4) An established attorney-client relationship. (b) Addendum proceeding. A request for attorney fees will be decided in an addendum proceeding. (c) Place of filing. Where the initial decision in the proceeding on the merits was issued by a judge in a MSPB regional or field office, a motion for attorney fees must be filed with the regional or field office that issued the initial decision. Where the decision in the proceeding on the merits was an initial decision issued by a judge at the Board's headquarters or where the only decision was a final decision issued by the Board, a motion for attorney fees must be filed with the Clerk of the Board. (d) Time of filing. A motion for attorney fees must be filed as soon as possible after a final decision of the Board but no later than 60 days after the date on which a decision becomes final. (e) Service. A copy of a motion for attorney fees must be served on the other parties or their representatives at the time of filing. A party may file a pleading responding to the motion within the time limit established by the judge. (f) Hearing; applicability of subpart B. The judge may hold a hearing on a motion for attorney fees and may apply appropriate provisions of subpart B of this part to the addendum proceeding. (g) Initial decision; review by the Board. The judge will issue an initial decision in the addendum proceeding, which shall be subject to the provisions for a petition for review by the Board under subpart C of this part. [63 FR 41179, Aug. 3, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 24381, Apr. 26, 2000 (a) Time for making request. (1) A request for consequential damages or compensatory damages must be made during the proceeding on the merits, no later than the end of the conference(s) held to define the issues in the case. (2) The judge or the Board, as applicable, may waive the time limit for making a request for consequential damages or compensatory damages for good cause shown. The time limit will not be waived if a party shows that such waiver would result in undue prejudice. (b) Form and content of request. A request for consequential damages or compensatory damages must be made in writing and must state the amount of damages sought and the reasons why the appellant or respondent believes he or she is entitled to an award under the applicable statutory standard. (c) Service. A copy of a request for consequential damages or compensatory damages must be served on the other parties or their representatives when the request is made. A party may file a pleading responding to the request within the time limit established by the judge or the Board, as applicable. (d) Addendum proceeding. (1) A request for consequential damages or compensatory damages will be decided in an addendum proceeding. (2) A judge may waive the requirement of paragraph (d)(1), either on his or her own motion or on the motion of a party, and consider a request for damages in a proceeding on the merits where the judge determines that such action is in the interest of the parties and will promote efficiency and economy in adjudication. (e) Initiation of addendum proceeding. (1) A motion for initiation of an addendum proceeding to decide a request for consequential damages or compensatory damages must be filed as soon as possible after a final decision of the Board but no later than 60 days after the date on which a decision becomes final. Where the initial decision in the proceeding on the merits was issued by a judge in a MSPB regional or field office, the motion must be filed with the regional or field office that issued the initial decision. Where the decision in the proceeding on the merits was an initial decision issued by a judge at the Board's headquarters or where the only decision was a final decision issued by the Board, the motion must be filed with the Clerk of the Board. (2) A copy of a motion for initiation of an addendum proceeding to decide a request for consequential damages or compensatory damages must be served on the other parties or their representatives at the time of filing. A party may file a pleading responding to the motion within the time limit established by the judge. (f) Hearing; applicability of subpart B. The judge may hold a hearing on a request for consequential damages or compensatory damages and may apply appropriate provisions of subpart B of this part to the addendum proceeding. (g) Initial decision; review by the Board. The judge will issue an initial decision in the addendum proceeding, which shall be subject to the provisions for a petition for review by the Board under subpart C of this part. (h) Request for damages first made in proceeding before the Board. Where a request for consequential damages or compensatory damages is first made on petition for review of a judge's initial decision on the merits and the Board waives the time limit for making the request in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section, or where the request is made in a case where the only MSPB proceeding is before the 3-member Board, including, for compensatory damages only, a request to review an arbitration decision under 5 U.S.C. 7121(d), the Board may: (1) Consider both the merits and the request for damages and issue a final decision; (2) Remand the case to the judge for a new initial decision, either on the request for damages only or on both the merits and the request for damages; or (3) Where there has been no prior proceeding before a judge, forward the request for damages to a judge for hearing and a recommendation to the Board, after which the Board will issue a final decision on both the merits and the request for damages. (i) EEOC review of decision on compensatory damages. A final decision of the Board on a request for compensatory damages pursuant to the Civil Rights Act of 1991 shall be subject to review by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as provided under subpart E of this part. A final Board decision under this subpart is subject to judicial review as provided under 5 U.S.C. 7703.
Title 5: Administrative Personnel
PART 1201—PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES
Subpart H—Attorney Fees (Plus Costs, Expert Witness Fees, and Litigation Expenses, Where Applicable), Consequential Damages, and Compensatory Damages
§ 1201.201 Statement of purpose.
§ 1201.202 Authority for awards.
§ 1201.203 Proceedings for attorney fees.
§ 1201.204 Proceedings for consequential damages and compensatory damages.
§ 1201.205 Judicial review.
Appendix I to Part 1201 [Reserved]
Appendix II to Part 1201—Appropriate Regional or Field Office for Filing Appeals
All submissions shall be addressed to the Regional Director, if submitted to a regional office, or the Chief Administrative Judge, if submitted to a field office, Merit Systems Protection Board, at the addresses listed below, according to geographic region of the employing agency or as required by §1201.4(d) of this part. The facsimile numbers listed below are TDD-capable; however, calls will be answered by voice before being connected to the TDD. Address of Appropriate Regional or Field Office and Area Served:
1. Atlanta Regional Office, 401 West Peachtree Street, NW., 10th floor, Atlanta, Georgia 30308–3519, Facsimile No.: (404) 730–2767, (Alabama; Florida; Georgia; Mississippi; South Carolina; and Tennessee).
2. Central Regional Office, 230 South Dearborn Street, 31st floor, Chicago, Illinois 60604–1669, Facsimile No.: (312) 886–4231, (Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas City, Kansas; Kentucky; Michigan; Minnesota; Missouri; Ohio; and Wisconsin).
3. Northeastern Regional Office, U.S. Customhouse, Room 501, Second and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106–2987, Facsimile No.: (215) 597–3456, (Connecticut; Delaware; Maine; Maryland—except the counties of Montgomery and Prince George's; Massachusetts; New Hampshire; New Jersey—except the counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; and West Virginia).
3a. New York Field Office, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 3137–A, New York, New York 10278–0022, Facsimile No.: (212) 264–1417, (New Jersey—counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union; New York; Puerto Rico; and Virgin Islands).
4. Washington Regional Office, 1800 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, Facsimile No.: (703) 756–7112, (Maryland—counties of Montgomery and Prince George's; North Carolina; Virginia; Washington, DC; and all overseas areas not otherwise covered).
5. Western Regional Office, 250 Montgomery Street, Suite 400, 4th floor, San Francisco, California 94104–3401, Facsimile No.: (415) 705–2945, (Alaska; California; Hawaii; Idaho; Nevada; Oregon; Washington; and Pacific overseas areas).
5a. Denver Field Office, 165 South Union Blvd., Suite 318, Lakewood, Colorado 80228–2211, Facsimile No.: (303) 969–5109, (Arizona; Colorado; Kansas—except Kansas City; Montana; Nebraska; New Mexico; North Dakota; South Dakota; Utah; and Wyoming).
6. Dallas Regional Office, 1100 Commerce Street, Room 620, Dallas, Texas 75242–9979, Facsimile No.: (214) 767–0102, (Arkansas; Louisiana; Oklahoma; and Texas).
[69 FR 11503, Mar. 11, 2004, as amended at 69 FR 61991, Oct. 22, 2004]
Appendix III to Part 1201—Approved Hearing Locations By Regional Office
Atlanta Regional Office
Birmingham, Alabama
Huntsville, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Montgomery, Alabama
Jacksonville, Florida
Miami, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Tallahassee, Florida
Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida
Atlanta, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Macon, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Jackson, Mississippi
Charleston, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Central Regional Office
Chicago, Illinois
Indianapolis, Indiana
Davenport, Iowa/Rock Island, Illinois
Des Moines, Iowa
Lexington, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Detroit, Michigan
Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
Kansas City, Missouri
Springfield, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
Cleveland, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Dallas Regional Office
Little Rock, Arkansas
Alexandria, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Corpus Christi, Texas
Dallas, Texas
El Paso, Texas
Houston, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
Temple, Texas
Texarkana, Texas
Northeastern Regional Office
Hartford, Connecticut
New Haven, Connecticut
Dover, Delaware
Bangor, Maine
Portland, Maine
Baltimore, Maryland
Boston, Massachusetts
Manchester, New Hampshire
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Trenton, New Jersey
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Providence, Rhode Island
Burlington, Vermont
Charleston, West Virginia
Morgantown, West Virginia
New York Field Office
Newark, New Jersey
Albany, New York
Buffalo, New York
New York, New York
Syracuse, New York
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Washington Regional Office
Washington, DC
Asheville, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Alexandria, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia
Western Regional Office
Anchorage, Alaska
Fresno, California
Los Angeles, California
Monterey, California
Sacramento, California
San Bernardino, California
San Diego, California
San Francisco, California
Santa Ana, California
Santa Barbara, California
Honolulu, Hawaii
Boise, Idaho
Pocatello, Idaho
Las Vegas, Nevada
Reno, Nevada
Medford, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Seattle, Washington
Spokane, Washington
Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco, Washington
Denver Field Office
Phoenix, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Grand Junction, Colorado
Lakewood, Colorado
Pueblo, Colorado
Wichita, Kansas
Billings, Montana
Great Falls, Montana
Missoula, Montana
Omaha, Nebraska
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bismarck, North Dakota
Fargo, North Dakota
Rapid City, South Dakota
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Salt Lake City, Utah
Casper, Wyoming
[69 FR 11503, Mar. 11, 2004, as amended at 69 FR 61991, Oct. 22, 2004]
Appendix IV to Part 1201—Sample Declaration Under 28 U.S.C.1746
Declaration
I, ___________, do hereby declare:
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct.
Executed on
____________________Date
____________________Signature
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