46 C.F.R. Subpart T—Formal Procedure for Adjudication of Small Claims
Title 46 - Shipping
In the event the respondent elects not to consent to determination of the claim under subpart S of this part, it shall be adjudicated by the administrative law judges of the Commission under procedures set forth in this subpart, if timely filed under §502.302. The previously assigned Docket Number shall be used except that it shall now be followed by capital “F” instead of “I” in parentheses (See §502.304(c)). The complaint shall consist of the documents submitted by the claimant under subpart S of this part. [Rule 311.] The respondent shall file with the Commission an answer within twenty-five (25) days of service of the complaint and shall serve a copy of said answer upon complainant. The answer shall admit or deny each matter set forth in the complaint. Matters not specifically denied will be deemed admitted. Where matters are urged in defense, the answer shall be accompanied by appropriate affidavits, other documents, and memoranda. [Rule 312.] [49 FR 44369, Nov. 6, 1984; 49 FR 47394, Dec. 4, 1984] Complainant may, within twenty (20) days of service of the answer filed by respondent, file with the Commission and serve upon the respondent a reply memorandum accompanied by appropriate affidavits and supporting documents. [Rule 313.] The administrative law judge may require the submission of additional affidavits, documents, or memoranda from complainant or respondent. [Rule 314.] In the usual course of disposition of complaints filed under this subpart, no oral hearing will be held, but, the administrative law judge, in his or her discretion, may order such hearing. A request for oral hearing may be incorporated in the answer or in complainant's reply to the answer. Requests for oral hearing will not be entertained unless they set forth in detail the reasons why the filing of affidavits or other documents will not permit the fair and expeditious disposition of the claim, and the precise nature of the facts sought to be proved at such oral hearing. The administrative law judge shall rule upon a request for oral hearing within ten (10) days of its receipt. In the event an oral hearing is ordered, it will be held in accordance with the rules applicable to other formal proceedings, as set forth in subparts A through Q of this part. [Rule 315.] [49 FR 44369, Nov. 6, 1984; 49 FR 47394, Dec. 4, 1984] Intervention will ordinarily not be permitted. [Rule 316.] No oral argument will be held unless otherwise directed by the administrative law judge. [Rule 317.] (a) The decision of the administrative law judge shall be final, unless, within twenty-two (22) days from the date of service of the decision, either party requests review of the decision by the Commission, asserting as grounds therefor that a material finding of fact or a necessary legal conclusion is erroneous or that prejudicial error has occurred, or unless, within thirty (30) days from the date of service of the decision, the Commission exercises its discretionary right to review the decision. The Commission shall not, on its own initiative, review any decision or order of dismissal unless such review is requested by an individual Commissioner. Any such request must be transmitted to the Secretary within thirty (30) days after date of service of the decision or order. Such request shall be sufficient to bring the matter before the Commission for review. [Rule 318.] (b) If the complainant is awarded reparations pursuant to section 11 of the Shipping Act of 1984, attorney's fees shall also be awarded in accordance with §502.254 of this part. [Rule 318.] [49 FR 44369, Nov. 6, 1984, as amended at 52 FR 6332, Mar. 3, 1987] The date of service of documents served by the Commission shall be that which is shown in the service stamp thereon. The date of service of documents served by parties shall be the date when the matter served is mailed or delivered in person, as the case may be. When the period of time prescribed or allowed is ten (10) days or less, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays shall be excluded from the computation. [Rule 319.] All claims, resubmitted claims, petitions to intervene and rulings thereon, notices of oral hearings, notices of oral arguments (if necessary), decisions of the administrative law judge, notices of review, and Commission decisions shall be served by the administrative law judge or the Commission. All other pleadings, documents and filings shall, when tendered to the Commission, evidence service upon all parties to the proceeding. Such certificate shall be in substantially the following form:
Certificate of Service I hereby certify that I have this day served the foregoing document upon all parties of record in this proceeding by [mailing, delivering to courier, or delivering in person], a copy to each such person in sufficient time to reach such person on the date the document is due to be filed with the Commission. Dated at __________ this ________ day of _________, 19__. [Rule 320.] Except as specifically provided in this part, rules in subparts A through Q, inclusive, of this part do not apply to situations covered by this subpart. [Rule 321.] [64 FR 7812, Feb. 17, 1999]
Title 46: Shipping
PART 502—RULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
Subpart T—Formal Procedure for Adjudication of Small Claims
§ 502.311 Applicability.
§ 502.312 Answer to complaint.
§ 502.313 Reply of complainant.
§ 502.314 Additional information.
§ 502.315 Request for oral hearing.
§ 502.316 Intervention.
§ 502.317 Oral argument.
§ 502.318 Decision.
§ 502.319 Date of service and computation of time.
§ 502.320 Service.
(For)____________________
§ 502.321 Applicability of other rules of this part.
