14 C.F.R. Subpart F—Hearings
Title 14 - Aeronautics and Space
(a) If a respondent is provided the opportunity for hearing in an initial determination and does not waive hearing, the Deputy Chief Counsel within 10 days after the respondent elects a hearing will issue and serve on the respondent and complainant a hearing order. The hearing order will set forth: (1) The allegations in the complaint, or notice of investigation, and the chronology and results of the investigation preliminary to the hearing; (2) The relevant statutory, judicial, regulatory, and other authorities; (3) The issues to be decided; (4) Such rules of procedure as may be necessary to supplement the provisions of this part; (5) The name and address of the person designated as hearing officer, and the assignment of authority to the hearing officer to conduct the hearing in accordance with the procedures set forth in this part; and (6) The date by which the hearing officer is directed to issue an initial decision. (b) Where there are no genuine issues of material fact requiring oral examination of witnesses, the hearing order may contain a direction to the hearing officer to conduct a hearing by submission of briefs and oral argument without the presentation of testimony or other evidence. In accordance with the rules of this subpart, a hearing officer may: (a) Give notice of, and hold, prehearing conferences and hearings; (b) Administer oaths and affirmations; (c) Issue subpoenas authorized by law and issue notices of deposition requested by the parties; (d) Limit the frequency and extent of discovery; (e) Rule on offers of proof; (f) Receive relevant and material evidence; (g) Regulate the course of the hearing in accordance with the rules of this part to avoid unnecessary and duplicative proceedings in the interest of prompt and fair resolution of the matters at issue; (h) Hold conferences to settle or to simplify the issues by consent of the parties; (i) Dispose of procedural motions and requests; (j) Examine witnesses; and (k) Make findings of fact and conclusions of law, and issue an initial decision. (a) Appearances. Any party may appear and be heard in person. (1) Any party may be accompanied, represented, or advised by an attorney licensed by a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States to practice law or appear before the courts of that State or territory, or by another duly authorized representative. (2) An attorney, or other duly authorized representative, who represents a party shall file a notice of appearance in accordance with §16.13. (b) Parties and agency participation. (1) The parties to the hearing are the respondent (s) named in the hearing order, the complainant(s), and the agency. (2) Unless otherwise specified in the hearing order, the agency attorney will serve as prosecutor for the agency from the date of issuance of the Director's determination providing an opportunity for hearing. (a) A person may submit a motion for leave to intervene as a party. Except for good cause shown, a motion for leave to intervene shall be submitted not later than 10 days after the notice of hearing and hearing order. (b) If the hearing officer finds that intervention will not unduly broaden the issues or delay the proceedings and, if the person has a property or financial interest that may not be addressed adequately by the parties, the hearing officer may grant a motion for leave to intervene. The hearing officer may determine the extent to which an intervenor may participate in the proceedings. (c) Other persons may petition the hearing officer for leave to participate in the hearing. Participation is limited to the filing of post-hearing briefs and reply to the hearing officer and the Associate Administrator. Such briefs shall be filed and served on all parties in the same manner as the parties' post hearing briefs are filed. (d) Participation under this section is at the discretion of the FAA, and no decision permitting participation shall be deemed to constitute an expression by the FAA that the participant has such a substantial interest in the proceeding as would entitle it to judicial review of such decision. (a) Extension by oral agreement. The parties may agree to extend for a reasonable period of time for filing a document under this part. If the parties agree, the hearing officer shall grant one extension of time to each party. The party seeking the extension of time shall submit a draft order to the hearing officer to be signed by the hearing officer and filed with the hearing docket. The hearing officer may grant additional oral requests for an extension of time where the parties agree to the extension. (b) Extension by motion. A party shall file a written motion for an extension of time with the hearing officer not later than 7 days before the document is due unless good cause for the late filing is shown. A party filing a written motion for an extension of time shall serve a copy of the motion on each party. (c) Failure to rule. If the hearing officer fails to rule on a written motion for an extension of time by the date the document was due, the motion for an extension of time is deemed denied. (d) Effect on time limits. In a hearing required by section 519(b) of the Airport and Airways Improvement Act, as amended in 1987, 49 U.S.C. 47106(e) and 47111(d), the due date for the hearing officer's initial decision and for the final agency decision are extended by the length of the extension granted by the hearing officer only if the hearing officer grants an extension of time as a result of an agreement by the parties as specified in paragraph (a) of this section or, if the hearing officer grants an extension of time as a result of the sponsor's failure to adhere to the hearing schedule. In any other hearing, an extension of time granted by the hearing officer for any reason extends the due date for the hearing officer's initial decision and for the final agency decision by the length of time of the hearing officer's decision. (a) Prehearing conference notice. The hearing officer schedules a prehearing conference and serves a prehearing conference notice on the parties promptly after being designated as a hearing officer. (1) The prehearing conference notice specifies the date, time, place, and manner (in person or by telephone) of the prehearing conference. (2) The prehearing conference notice may direct the parties to exchange proposed witness lists, requests for evidence and the production of documents in the possession of another party, responses to interrogatories, admissions, proposed procedural schedules, and proposed stipulations before the date of the prehearing conference. (b) The prehearing conference. The prehearing conference is conducted by telephone or in person, at the hearing officer's discretion. The prehearing conference addresses matters raised in the prehearing conference notice and such other matters as the hearing officer determines will assist in a prompt, full and fair hearing of the issues. (c) Prehearing conference report. At the close of the prehearing conference, the hearing officer rules on any requests for evidence and the production of documents in the possession of other parties, responses to interrogatories, and admissions; on any requests for depositions; on any proposed stipulations; and on any pending applications for subpoenas as permitted by §16.219. In addition, the hearing officer establishes the schedule, which shall provide for the issuance of an initial decision not later than 110 days after issuance of the Director's determination order unless otherwise provided in the hearing order. (a) Discovery is limited to requests for admissions, requests for production of documents, interrogatories, and depositions as authorized by §16.215. (b) The hearing officer shall limit the frequency and extent of discovery permitted by this section if a party shows that— (1) The information requested is cumulative or repetitious; (2) The information requested may be obtained from another less burdensome and more convenient source; (3) The party requesting the information has had ample opportunity to obtain the information through other discovery methods permitted under this section; or (4) The method or scope of discovery requested by the party is unduly burdensome or expensive. (a) General. For good cause shown, the hearing officer may order that the testimony of a witness may be taken by deposition and that the witness produce documentary evidence in connection with such testimony. Generally, an order to take the deposition of a witness is entered only if: (1) The person whose deposition is to be taken would be unavailable at the hearing; (2) The deposition is deemed necessary to perpetuate the testimony of the witness; or (3) The taking of the deposition is necessary to prevent undue and excessive expense to a party and will not result in undue burden to other parties or in undue delay. (b) Application for deposition. Any party desiring to take the deposition of a witness shall make application therefor to the hearing officer in writing, with a copy of the application served on each party. The application shall include: (1) The name and residence of the witness; (2) The time and place for the taking of the proposed deposition; (3) The reasons why such deposition should be taken; and (4) A general description of the matters concerning which the witness will be asked to testify. (c) Order authorizing deposition. If good cause is shown, the hearing officer, in his or her discretion, issues an order authorizing the deposition and specifying the name of the witness to be deposed, the location and time of the deposition and the general scope and subject matter of the testimony to be taken. (d) Procedures for deposition. (1) Witnesses whose testimony is taken by deposition shall be sworn or shall affirm before any questions are put to them. Each question propounded shall be recorded and the answers of the witness transcribed verbatim. (2) Objections to questions or evidence shall be recorded in the transcript of the deposition. The interposing of an objection shall not relieve the witness of the obligation to answer questions, except where the answer would violate a privilege. (3) The written transcript shall be subscribed by the witness, unless the parties by stipulation waive the signing, or the witness is ill, cannot be found, or refuses to sign. The reporter shall note the reason for failure to sign. (a) Each party may designate as a witness any person who is able and willing to give testimony that is relevant and material to the issues in the hearing case, subject to the limitation set forth in paragraph (b) of this section. (b) The hearing officer may exclude testimony of witnesses that would be irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious. (c) Any witness may be accompanied by counsel. Counsel representing a nonparty witness has no right to examine the witness or otherwise participate in the development of testimony. (a) Request for subpoena. A party may apply to the hearing officer, within the time specified for such applications in the prehearing conference report, for a subpoena to compel testimony at a hearing or to require the production of documents only from the following persons: (1) Another party; (2) An officer, employee, or agent of another party; (3) Any other person named in the complaint as participating in or benefiting from the actions of the respondent alleged to have violated any Act; (4) An officer, employee, or agent of any other person named in the complaint as participating in or benefiting from the actions of the respondent alleged to have violated any Act. (b) Issuance and service of subpoena. (1) The hearing officer issues the subpoena if the hearing officer determines that the evidence to be obtained by the subpoena is relevant and material to the resolution of the issues in the case. (2) Subpoenas shall be served by personal service, or upon an agent designated in writing for the purpose, or by certified mail, return receipt addressed to such person or agent. Whenever service is made by registered or certified mail, the date of mailing shall be considered as the time when service is made. (3) A subpoena issued under this part is effective throughout the United States or any territory or possession thereof. (c) Motions to quash or modify subpoena. (1) A party or any person upon whom a subpoena has been served may file a motion to quash or modify the subpoena with the hearing officer at or before the time specified in the subpoena for the filing of such motions. The applicant shall describe in detail the basis for the application to quash or modify the subpoena including, but not limited to, a statement that the testimony, document, or tangible evidence is not relevant to the proceeding, that the subpoena is not reasonably tailored to the scope of the proceeding, or that the subpoena is unreasonable and oppressive. (2) A motion to quash or modify the subpoena stays the effect of the subpoena pending a decision by the hearing officer on the motion. (a) The party on whose behalf a witness appears is responsible for paying any witness fees and mileage expenses. (b) Except for employees of the United States summoned to testify as to matters related to their public employment, witnesses summoned by subpoena shall be paid the same fees and mileage expenses as are paid to a witness in a court of the United States in comparable circumstances. (a) General. A party may submit direct and rebuttal evidence in accordance with this section. (b) Requirement for written testimony and evidence. Except in the case of evidence obtained by subpoena, or in the case of a special ruling by the hearing officer to admit oral testimony, a party's direct and rebuttal evidence shall be submitted in written form in advance of the oral hearing pursuant to the schedule established in the hearing officer's prehearing conference report. Written direct and rebuttal fact testimony shall be certified by the witness as true and correct. Subject to the same exception (for evidence obtained by subpoena or subject to a special ruling by the hearing officer), oral examination of a party's own witness is limited to certification of the accuracy of written evidence, including correction and updating, if necessary, and reexamination following cross-examination by other parties. (c) Subpoenaed testimony. Testimony of witnesses appearing under subpoena may be obtained orally. (d) Cross-examination. A party may conduct cross-examination that may be required for disclosure of the facts, subject to control by the hearing officer for fairness, expedition and exclusion of extraneous matters. (e) Hearsay evidence. Hearsay evidence is admissible in proceedings governed by this part. The fact that evidence is hearsay goes to the weight of evidence and does not affect its admissibility. (f) Admission of evidence. The hearing officer admits evidence introduced by a party in support of its case in accordance with this section, but may exclude irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious evidence. (g) Expert or opinion witnesses. An employee of the FAA or DOT may not be called as an expert or opinion witness for any party other than the agency except as provided in Department of Transportation regulations at 49 CFR part 9. (a) Except as provided in this section, the hearing shall be open to the public. (b) The hearing officer may order that any information contained in the record be withheld from public disclosure. Any person may object to disclosure of information in the record by filing a written motion to withhold specific information with the hearing officer. The person shall state specific grounds for nondisclosure in the motion. (c) The hearing officer shall grant the motion to withhold information from public disclosure if the hearing officer determines that disclosure would be in violation of the Privacy Act, would reveal trade secrets or privileged or confidential commercial or financial information, or is otherwise prohibited by law. The hearing officer shall issue an initial decision or shall rule in a party's favor only if the decision or ruling is supported by, and in accordance with, reliable, probative, and substantial evidence contained in the record and is in accordance with law. (a) The burden of proof of noncompliance with an Act or any regulation, order, agreement or document of conveyance issued under the authority of an Act is on the agency. (b) Except as otherwise provided by statute or rule, the proponent of a motion, request, or order has the burden of proof. (c) A party who has asserted an affirmative defense has the burden of proving the affirmative defense. A party whose evidence has been excluded by a ruling of the hearing officer may offer the evidence on the record when filing an appeal. (a) Exclusive record. The transcript of all testimony in the hearing, all exhibits received into evidence, all motions, applications requests and rulings, and all documents included in the hearing record shall constitute the exclusive record for decision in the proceedings and the basis for the issuance of any orders. (b) Examination and copy of record. Any interested person may examine the record at the Part 16 Airport Proceedings Docket, AGC–600, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591. Any person may have a copy of the record after payment of reasonable costs for search and reproduction of the record. (a) Argument during the hearing. During the hearing, the hearing officer shall give the parties reasonable opportunity to present oral argument on the record supporting or opposing motions, objections, and rulings if the parties request an opportunity for argument. The hearing officer may direct written argument during the hearing if the hearing officer finds that submission of written arguments would not delay the hearing. (b) Posthearing briefs. The hearing officer may request or permit the parties to submit posthearing briefs. The hearing officer may provide for the filing of simultaneous reply briefs as well, if such filing will not unduly delay the issuance of the hearing officer's initial decision. Posthearing briefs shall include proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law; exceptions to rulings of the hearing officer; references to the record in support of the findings of fact; and supporting arguments for the proposed findings, proposed conclusions, and exceptions. (a) The hearing officer shall waive such procedural steps as all parties to the hearing agree to waive before issuance of an initial decision. (b) Consent to a waiver of any procedural step bars the raising of this issue on appeal. (c) The parties may not by consent waive the obligation of the hearing officer to enter an initial decision on the record.
Title 14: Aeronautics and Space
PART 16—RULES OF PRACTICE FOR FEDERALLY-ASSISTED AIRPORT ENFORCEMENT PROCEEDINGS
Subpart F—Hearings
§ 16.201 Notice and order of hearing.
§ 16.202 Powers of a hearing officer.
§ 16.203 Appearances, parties, and rights of parties.
§ 16.207 Intervention and other participation.
§ 16.209 Extension of time.
§ 16.211 Prehearing conference.
§ 16.213 Discovery.
§ 16.215 Depositions.
§ 16.217 Witnesses.
§ 16.219 Subpoenas.
§ 16.221 Witness fees.
§ 16.223 Evidence.
§ 16.225 Public disclosure of evidence.
§ 16.227 Standard of proof.
§ 16.229 Burden of proof.
§ 16.231 Offer of proof.
§ 16.233 Record.
§ 16.235 Argument before the hearing officer.
§ 16.237 Waiver of procedures.
