16 C.F.R. Subpart B—Pleadings, Form, Execution, Service of Documents
Title 16 - Commercial Practices
(a) Notice of institution of enforcement proceedings. Any adjudicative proceedings under this part shall be commenced by the issuance of a complaint, authorized by the Commission, and signed by the Associate Executive Director for Compliance and Enforcement. (b) Form and content of complaint. The complaint shall contain the following: (1) A statement of the legal authority for instituting the proceedings, including the specific sections of statutes, rules and regulations involved in each allegation. (2) Identification of each respondent or class of respondents. (3) A clear and concise statement of the charges, sufficient to inform each respondent with reasonable definiteness of the factual basis or bases of the allegations of violation or hazard. A list and summary of documentary evidence supporting the charges shall be attached. (4) A request for the relief which the staff believes is in the public interest. (c) Notice to the public. Once issued, the complaint shall be submitted without delay to the (a) Time for filing. A respondent shall have twenty (20) days after service of a complaint to file an answer. (b) Contents of answer. The answer shall contain the following: (1) A specific admission or denial of each allegation in the complaint. If a respondent is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of an allegation, the respondent shall so state. Such statement shall have the effect of a denial. Allegations that are not denied shall be deemed to have been admitted. (2) A concise statement of the factual or legal defenses to each allegation of the complaint. (c) Default. Failure of a respondent to file an answer within the time provided, unless extended, shall constitute a waiver of the right to appear and contest the allegations in the complaint, and the Presiding Officer may make such findings of fact and conclusions of law as are just and reasonable under the circumstances. The Presiding Officer may allow appropriate amendments and supplemental pleadings which do not unduly broaden the issues in the proceedings or cause undue delay. (a) Filing. Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, all documents submitted to the Commission or the Presiding Officer shall be addressed to, and filed with, the Secretary. Documents may be filed in person or by mail and shall be deemed filed on the day of filing or mailing. (b) Caption. Every document shall contain a caption setting forth the name of the action, the docket number, and the title of the document. (c) Copies. An original and three (3) copies of all documents shall be filed. Each copy must be clear and legible. (d) Signature. (1) The original of each document filed shall be signed by a representative of record for the party or participant; or in the case of parties or participants not represented, by the party or participant; or by a partner, officer or other appropriate official of any corporation, partnership, or unincorporated association, who files an appearance on behalf of the party or participant. (2) By signing a document, the signer represents that the signer has read it and that to the best of the signer's knowledge, information and belief, the statements made in it are true and that it is not filed for purposes of delay. (e) Form. (1) All documents shall be dated and shall contain the address and telephone number of the signer. (2) Documents shall be on paper approximately 8 (3) Documents that fail to comply with this section may be returned by the Secretary. (a) Computation. In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by these rules, the day of the act, event, or default from which the designated period of time begins to run shall not be included. The last day of the period so computed shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday, in which event the period runs until the end of the next day which is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday. When the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than seven (7) days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays shall be excluded in the computation. As used in this rule, “legal holiday” includes New Year's Day, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and any other day declared as a holiday by the President or the Congress of the United States. (b) Additional time after service by mail. Whenever a party is required or permitted to do an act within a prescribed period after service of a document and the document is served by mail, three (3) days shall be added to the prescribed period. (c) Extensions. For good cause shown, the Presiding Officer may extend any time limit prescribed or allowed by these rules or by order of the Commission or the Presiding Officer, except for those sections governing the filing of interlocutory appeals and appeals from Initial Decisions and those sections expressly requiring Commission action. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Commission, for good cause shown, may extend any time limit prescribed by these rules or by order of the Commission or the Presiding Officer. (a) Mandatory service. Every document filed with the Secretary shall be served upon all parties to any proceedings, i.e., Complaint Counsel, respondent(s), and party intervenors, as well as the Presiding Officer. Every document filed with the Secretary shall also be served upon each participant, if the Presiding Officer or the Commission so directs. (b) Service of complaint, ruling, petition for interlocutory appeal, order, decision, or subpoena. A complaint, ruling, petition for interlocutory appeal, order, decision, or subpoena shall be served in one of the following ways: (1) By registered or certified mail. A copy of the document shall be addressed to the person, partnership, corporation or unincorporated association to be served at his/her/its residence or principal office or place of business and sent by registered or certified mail; or (2) By delivery to an individual. A copy of the document may be delivered to the person to be served; or to a member of the partnership to be served; or to the president, secretary, or other executive officer, or a director of the corporation or unincorporated association to be served; or to an agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service; or (3) By delivery to an address. If the document cannot be served in person or by mail as provided in paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section, a copy of the document may be left at the principal office or place of business of the person, partnership, corporation, unincorporated association, or authorized agent with an officer or a managing or general agent; or it may be left with a person of suitable age and discretion residing therein, at the residence of the person or of a member of the partnership or of an executive officer, director, or agent of the corporation or unincorporated association to be served; or (4) By publication in the (c) Service of other documents. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this section, when service of a document starts the running of a prescribed period of time for the submission of a responsive document or the occurrence of an event, the document may be served as provided in paragraph (b) of this section or by ordinary first-class mail, properly addressed, postage prepaid. (d) Service on a representative. When a party has appeared by an attorney or other representative, service upon that attorney or other representative shall constitute service upon the party. (e) Certificate of service. The original of every document filed with the Commission and required to be served upon all parties to any proceedings, as well as participants if so directed by the Presiding Officer, shall be accompanied by a certificate of service signed by the party making service, stating that such service has been made upon each party and participant to the proceedings. Certificates of service may be in substantially the following form:
I hereby certify that I have served the attached document upon all parties and participants of record in these proceedings by mailing, postage prepaid, (or by delivering in person) a copy to each on (Signature) ________________________________ (f) Date of service. The date of service of a document shall be the date on which the document is deposited with the United States Postal Service, postage prepaid, or is delivered in person. (a) Participation as an intervenor. Any person who desires to participate as a party in any proceedings subject to these rules shall file a written petition for leave to intervene with the Secretary and shall serve a copy of the petition on each party. (1) A petition shall ordinarily be filed not later than the convening of the first prehearing conference. A petition filed after that time will not be granted unless the Presiding Officer determines that the petitioner has made a substantial showing of good cause for failure to file on time. (2) A petition shall: (i) Identify the specific aspect or aspects of the proceedings as to which the petitioner wishes to intervene, (ii) Set forth the interest of the petitioner in the proceedings, (iii) State how the petitioner's interest may be affected by the results of the proceedings, and (iv) State any other reasons why the petitioner should be permitted to intervene as a party, with particular reference to the factors set forth in paragraph (d) of this section. Any petition relating only to matters outside the jurisdiction of the Commission shall be denied. (3) Any person whose petition for leave to intervene is granted by the Presiding Officer shall be known as an “intervenor” and as such shall have the full range of litigating rights afforded to any other party. (b) Participation by a person not an intervenor. Any person who desires to participate in the proceedings as a non-party shall file with the Secretary a request to participate in the proceedings and shall serve a copy of such request on each party to the proceedings. (1) A request shall ordinarily be filed not later than the commencement of the hearing. A petition filed after that time will not be granted unless the Presiding Officer determines that the person making the request has made a substantial showing of good cause for failure to file on time. (2) A request shall set forth the nature and extent of the person's alleged interest in the proceedings. Any request relating only to matters outside the jurisdiction of the Commission shall be denied. (3) Any person who files a request to participate in the proceedings as a non-party and whose request is granted by the Presiding Officer shall be known as a “Participant” and shall have the right to participate in the proceedings to the extent of making a written or oral statement of position, filing proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law and a post hearing brief with the Presiding Officer, and filing an appellate brief before the Commission if an appeal is taken by a party or review is ordered by the Commission in accordance with §1025.53 or §1025.54, as applicable, of these rules. (c) Response to petition to intervene. Any party may file a response to a petition for leave to intervene after the petition is filed with the Secretary, with particular reference to the factors set forth in paragraph (d) of this section. (d) Ruling by Presiding Officer on petition. In ruling on a petition for leave to intervene, the Presiding Officer shall consider, in addition to all other relevant matters, the following factors: (1) The nature of the petitioner's interest, under the applicable statute governing the proceedings, to be made a party to the proceedings; (2) The nature and extent of the petitioner's interest in protecting himself/herself/itself or the public against unreasonable risks of injury associated with consumer products; (3) The nature and extent of the petitioner's property, financial or other substantial interest in the proceedings; (4) Whether the petitioner would be aggrieved by any final order which may be entered in the proceedings; (5) The extent to which the peititioner's intervention may reasonably be expected to assist in developing a sound record; (6) The extent to which the petitioner's interest will be represented by existing parties; (7) The extent to which the petitioner's intervention may broaden the issues or delay the proceedings; and (8) The extent to which the petitioner's interest can be protected by other available means. If the Presiding Officer determines that a petitioner has failed to make a sufficient showing to be allowed to intervene as a party, the Presiding Officer shall view such petition to intervene as if it had been timely filed as a request to participate in the proceedings as a participant pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section. (e) Ruling by Presiding Officer on request. In ruling on a request to participate as a participant, the Presiding Officer, in the exercise of his/her discretion, shall be mindful of the Commission's mandate under its enabling legislation (see 15 U.S.C. 2051 et seq.) and its affirmative desire to afford interested persons, including consumers and consumer organizations, as well as governmental entities, an opportunity to participate in the agency's regulatory processes, including adjudicative proceedings. The Presiding Officer shall consider, in addition to all other relevant matters, the following factors: (1) The nature and extent of the person's alleged interest in the proceedings; (2) The possible effect of any final order which may be entered in the proceedings on the person's interest; and (3) The extent to which the person's participation can be expected to assist the Presiding Officer and the Commission in rendering a fair and equitable resolution of all matters in controversy in the proceedings. The Presiding Officer may deny a request to participate if he/she determines that the person's participation cannot reasonably be expected to assist the Presiding Officer or the Commission in rendering a fair and equitable resolution of matters in controversy in the proceedings or if he/she determines that the person's participation would unduly broaden the issues in controversy or unduly delay the proceedings. (f) Designation of single representative. If the Presiding Officer determines that a petitioner pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section or a person requesting to participate pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section is a member of a class of prospective intervenors or participants, as applicable, who share an identity of interest, the Presiding Officer may limit such intervention or participation, as applicable, through designation of a single representative by the prospective intervenors or participants, as applicable, or, if they are unable to agree, by designation of the Presiding Officer. (a) Prerequisites to a class action. One or more members of a class of respondents may be proceeded against as representative parties on behalf of all respondents if: (1) The class is so numerous or geographically dispersed that joinder of all members is impracticable; (2) There are questions of fact or issues of law common to the class; (3) The defenses of the representative parties are typical of the defenses of the class; and (4) The representative parties will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class. (b) Composition of class. A class may be composed of: (1) Manufacturers, distributors, or retailers, or a combination of them, of products which allegedly have the same defect, or (2) Manufacturers, distributors, or retailers, or a combination of them, of products which allegedly fail to conform to an applicable standard, regulation, or consumer product safety rule, or (3) Manufacturers, distributors, or retailers, or a combination of them, who have themselves allegedly failed to conform to an applicable standard, regulation, or consumer product safety rule. When appropriate, a class may be divided into subclasses and each subclass shall be treated as a class. (c) Notice of commencement. A complaint issued under this section shall identify the class, the named respondents considered to be representative of the class, and the alleged defect or nonconformity common to the products manufactured, imported, distributed or sold by the members of the class. The complaint shall be served upon the parties in accordance with §1025.16. (d) Proper class action determination. Upon motion of Complaint Counsel and as soon as practicable after the commencement of any proceedings brought as a class action, the Presiding Officer shall determine by order whether the action is a proper class action. It is a proper class action if the prerequisites of paragraph (a) of this section are met and if the Presiding Officer finds that: (1) The prosecution of separate actions against individual members of the respondent class might result in (i) inconsistent or varying determinations with respect to individual members of the class which might produce incompatible or conflicting results, or (ii) determinations with respect to individual members of the class which would, as a practical matter, be dispositive of the interests of the other members who are not parties to the proceedings or would substantially impair or impede the ability of the absent members to protect their interests; or (2) The Commission has acted on grounds generally applicable to the class, thereby making appropriate an order directed to the class as a whole. In reaching a decision, the Presiding Officer shall consider the interests of members of the class in individually controlling the defense of separate actions, the extent and nature of any proceedings concerning the controversy already commenced against members of the class, the desirability or undesirability of concentrating the litigation in one adjudication, and the difficulties likely to be encountered in the management of a class action, as well as the benefits expected to result from the maintenance of a class action. (e) Revision of class membership. Upon motion of any party or any member of the class, or upon the Presiding Officer's own initiative, the Presiding Officer may revise the membership of the class. (f) Orders in conduct of class actions. In proceedings to which this section applies, the Presiding Officer may make appropriate orders: (1) Determining the course of the proceedings or prescribing measures to prevent undue repetition and promote the efficient presentation of evidence or argument; (2) Requiring (for the protection of the members of the class, or otherwise for the fair conduct of the action) that notice be given, in such manner as the Presiding Officer may direct, of any step in the action, of the extent of the proposed order, or of the opportunity for members to inform the Presiding Officer whether they consider the representation to be fair and adequate, or of the opportunity for class members to intervene and present defenses; (3) Requiring that the pleadings be amended to eliminate allegations concerning the representation of absent persons; or (4) Dealing with other procedural matters. The orders may be combined with a prehearing order under §1025.21 of these rules and may be altered or amended as may be necessary. (g) Scope of final order. In any proceedings maintained as a class action, any Decision and Order of the Presiding Officer or the Commission under §1025.51 or §1025.55, as applicable, whether or not favorable to the class, shall include and describe those respondents whom the Presiding Officer or the Commission finds to be members of the class. (h) Notice of results. Upon the termination of any adjudication that has been maintained as a class action, the best notice practicable of the results of the adjudication shall be given to all members of the class in such manner as the Presiding Officer or the Commission directs. Two or more matters which have been scheduled for adjudicative proceedings and which involve similar issues may be consolidated for the purpose of hearing or Commission review. A motion for consolidation may be filed by any party to such proceedings not later than thirty (30) days prior to the hearing and served upon all parties to all proceedings in which joinder is contemplated. The motion may include a request that the consolidated proceedings be maintained as a class action in accordance with §1025.18 of these rules. The proceedings may be consolidated to such extent and upon such terms as may be proper. Such consolidation may also be ordered upon the initiative of the Presiding Officer or the Commission. Single representatives may be designated by represented parties, intervenors, and participants with an identity of interests.
Title 16: Commercial Practices
PART 1025—RULES OF PRACTICE FOR ADJUDICATIVE PROCEEDINGS
Subpart B—Pleadings, Form, Execution, Service of Documents
§ 1025.11 Commencement of proceedings.
§ 1025.12 Answer.
§ 1025.13 Amendments and supplemental pleadings.
§ 1025.14 Form and filing of documents.
§ 1025.15 Time.
§ 1025.16 Service.
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§ 1025.17 Intervention.
§ 1025.18 Class actions.
§ 1025.19 Joinder of proceedings.
