[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 10, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61519-61535]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-24388]
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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION
46 CFR Part 502
[Docket No. 11-05]
RIN 3072-AC43
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure
AGENCY: Federal Maritime Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Maritime Commission revises its rules of practice
and procedure to update and clarify the rules and to reduce the burden
on parties to proceedings before the Commission. The Commission also
amends the regulation with respect to its former employees to reflect
changes in a relevant statute and the regulation for filing of
documents containing confidential materials.
DATES: Effective: November 12, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen V. Gregory, Secretary, Federal
Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Washington, DC
20573-0001, Phone: (202) 523-5725, Email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On March 1, 2012, the Federal Maritime Commission (Commission)
published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register
proposing to revise Subparts E and L of the Commission's Rules of
Practice and Procedure. 77 FR 12528. The Notice was in continuance of
the Commission's efforts to modernize its rules for proceedings before
the Commission and to reduce the burden on parties to proceedings
before the Commission.
II. Comments
Two comments were received by the Commission from Winston & Strawn
(Winston) and Cozen O'Connor (Cozen), law firms that have practiced
before the Commission for many years. The Commission has reviewed these
comments and adopts some recommendations.
Winston & Strawn's Comments
Winston opposes reduction of the time limit for replies to non-
dispositive motions from 14 days to 7 days stating that it is
``unnecessary, unfair and unduly burdensome'' on attorneys who handle
many cases and travel as part of their practice. Winston believes that
it will do little to shorten the duration of cases and there is no
evidence that the present period is responsible for any material delay
in Commission proceedings. Winston also opposes the proposed 30 and 15
page limits for dispositive motions and replies, respectively, on the
ground that such limits will severely restrict the ability of parties
to make their case, particularly those involving complex issues.
Winston suggests that no page limits be imposed on non-dispositive
motions and that the same limit as exceptions, i.e., 50 pages, be
imposed for dispositive motions. Winston also opposes the proposed
limits on discovery, arguing such a limit would reduce access to
evidence. Winston believes that the proposed limits of 20 depositions
and 50 interrogatories are ``woefully
[[Page 61520]]
inadequate'' and unnecessary particularly in major disputes. Winston
believes the Commission should maintain its unlimited deposition and
interrogatory rule with recourse to a protective order if necessary.
Winston requests that the Commission completely abandon its no-reply-
to-a-reply rule and permit replies to replies. This change, Winston
argues, will address concerns about parties raising arguments for the
first time in a reply to which the opposing party has had no
opportunity to respond. Winston also suggests that proposed Sec.
502.203(b)(3) be clarified to state that a party may record a
deposition using stenographic and ``video recordation.'' Lastly,
Winston requests that the Commission take practical steps to speed the
issuance of initial decisions, but does not offer recommendations to
achieve such a result.
Independent of Winston's comments, the Commission previously
considered the issues raised by Winston with respect to limits on
discovery, page limitations, and time limits for replies and believes
that the proposed rules reasonably accommodate the needs and
requirements of the Commission and the parties to proceedings before
the Commission. The Commission believes that the proposed deposition
and interrogatory limitations reflect an accommodation recognizing the
difference between federal court proceedings and the nature of
Commission proceedings which tend to be heard mainly on a written or
documentary record.
With respect to the time limit for replies to non-dispositive
motions, in view of the new duty to confer prior to filing a non-
dispositive motion, the responding party will have advance notice of
the motion and the issues raised in the motion. Further, the nature of
the subject matter typically involved in such motions often may require
expedited consideration. To the extent deviation from such requirements
becomes necessary in individual cases, the presiding officer has the
requisite authority to issue appropriate orders. The same is true as to
the proposed page limitations. Therefore, the Commission does not
believe further modification to the proposed rule is needed.
The Commission also believes it unnecessary to further clarify that
Sec. 502.203 permits recording depositions both by stenographic and
``video recordation.'' Revised Sec. 502.203 mirrors Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure (FRCP) 30(b)(3)(A), and the conjunction ``or'' in the
proposed rule is meant to operate inclusively.
Cozen O'Connor's Comments
Cozen advocates revising proposed Sec. 502.66 consistent with FRCP
15(a)(1), to permit amendments to pleadings as a matter of right within
21 days of service of the original pleading with a response required
within the later of the time left to respond to the original pleading
or 14 days after the amended pleading. Cozen supports proposed Sec.
502.72 permitting voluntary dismissal of a complaint, and suggests
addition of a provision similar to FRCP 41 also permitting voluntary
dismissal of counterclaims, crossclaims, and third-party complaints.
Cozen also suggests that when a complainant voluntarily dismisses a
complaint and refiles against the same respondent based on the same
issues, liability be imposed against the complainant for the
respondent's costs in responding to the first complaint. Cozen further
recommends that the Commission confirm that a voluntary dismissal under
proposed Sec. 502.72 would no longer require Commission approval of
any settlement as part of the dismissal.
Cozen supports the limitations on depositions and interrogatories,
but believes the Commission should set the limit for depositions at 10,
as provided in the FRCP, rather than 20 as proposed by the Commission,
and interrogatories at 35, as opposed to 25 as provided in the FRCP or
50 as proposed by the Commission. Cozen further proposes sanctions for
failure to appear at scheduled depositions. In addition, Cozen requests
that the time limit on discovery be extended from 120 to 180 days.
Cozen is concerned that the Commission's proposed Sec. 502.201(b)
would require initial disclosures to be made prior to the proposed
Sec. 502.201(h) conference; that the time period for disclosure under
the Commission's proposed rules would be considerably shorter than
those permitted under the FRCP; and that the parties are not permitted
to stipulate to a longer period. Cozen suggests revising the proposed
rules to require the discovery conference to occur within 21 days after
the answer is filed, to require initial disclosures to be made at the
earlier of 90 days after the respondent's appearance or 75 days after
the filing of the answer, and to permit the parties to stipulate to a
longer period for disclosures. Cozen also suggests various
clarifications within proposed Rules 201 through 203 which are
addressed below.
The Commission does not believe it should adopt the suggestion to
allow amendment of pleadings as a matter of right. Although FRCP
15(a)(1) allows amendment to pleadings as of right in the federal
district courts, the Commission's proceedings operate on specific time
schedules not analogous to federal court cases. The Commission believes
that such a rule could create unnecessary time pressure and further
delays. The presiding officer has the requisite authority to permit
amendments to pleadings when necessary.
The Commission adopts Cozen's request that the Commission modify
proposed Sec. 502.72 consistent with FRCP 41(c) to specify that
voluntary dismissal also applies to counterclaims, crossclaims, and
third-party claims inasmuch as this was the intent of the proposal.
The Commission believes that it cannot adopt Cozen's suggestion
that complainants who voluntarily dismiss cases pay respondents' costs
should complainant bring the case again, because the Commission lacks
authority under the Shipping Act of 1984 to award such costs.
Similarly, the Commission cannot award sanctions as proposed by Cozen
for failure to attend a deposition.
As noted, in addition to supporting proposed Sec. 502.72 allowing
voluntary dismissals by a complainant, Cozen requests that the
Commission confirm that this change was also intended to eliminate the
requirement that settlement between private litigants be approved as a
condition of dismissal. The Commission did not intend to eliminate the
requirement for review of settlement when it proposed the new rule and
is not changing its long-standing policy at this time.
As stated above in response to Winston's comments on limits on
depositions and interrogatories, the Commission is not revising the
limitations set out in the proposed rule.
The Commission believes there is merit to Cozen's suggestion that
the 120-day proposed discovery period be increased. Cozen suggests that
the time period for discovery be increased an additional 60 days for a
total of 180 days for discovery. Cozen has substantial practical
experience in this area and its concern comports with the Commission's
own understanding of the time generally needed to complete discovery.
However, while the Commission agrees that additional time is required,
it does not agree that an additional 60 days is needed. Given that the
Commission has proposed changing the discovery deadline to run from the
service of an answer as opposed to the service of a complaint, ensuring
that parties are present in the case to conduct discovery, the
Commission increases the proposed 120-day period to 150 days from the
date of service of
[[Page 61521]]
an answer. This should facilitate completion of discovery within 6
months of the start of a proceeding, and ensure sufficient time for
briefing and preparation of an initial decision within the one year
deadline. The 150-day discovery period will provide a more realistic
and feasible time frame, and because it will eliminate a great number
of requests for extension of the discovery deadline, it should
facilitate timely conclusion of proceedings.
The Commission does not adopt Cozen's suggestions regarding
delaying the discovery conference or submission of initial disclosures
as the suggestion is not compatible with the time frame for completing
discovery under the Commission's rules, a time limitation that does not
exist in the federal rules. As to the question of stipulating to a
longer period for initial disclosures, the rule does provide for the
possibility of stipulation. However, the purpose for requiring initial
disclosures is to facilitate and encourage focused and expeditious use
and completion of discovery. Moreover, Sec. 502.201(l) will require
that ``* * * a stipulation extending the time for any form of discovery
must have presiding officer's approval if it would interfere with the
time set for completing discovery * * *''
The Commission further agrees that proposed Sec. 502.201(k) should
be modified to clarify that the obligation to supplement responses also
applies to expert witness information under Sec. 502.201(d). However,
the Commission does not adopt Cozen's suggestion that existing Sec.
502.202(e), which gives parties the power to stipulate to the person
before whom a deposition may be taken, be retained. Proposed Sec.
502.202 mirrors FRCP 28 which does not allow such a stipulation.
Retention of current Sec. 502.202(e) would also conflict with the
provisions in proposed Sec. 502.202(c) disqualifying certain
individuals. The Commission is unaware of any compelling reason to vary
from the FRCP requirements in this instance.
III. Discussion
After consideration of the comments, the Commission has determined
to adopt the proposed Rules as final with a few modifications adopting
some of the comments' suggestions.
a. Rule 5
Although not included in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the
Commission is amending Sec. 502.5(b) to require that when a
confidential filing is submitted, an original and two copies of a
public version excluding the confidential materials be filed.
Currently, only an original and one copy is required. Since some
submitted filings are extensive and not easy to reproduce, the
Commission has found one copy to be insufficient for proper maintenance
of the docket.
b. Rule 32
Although not included in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the
Commission also amends Sec. 502.32 to reflect changes in a relevant
statute. Current Sec. 502.32(c) is designed to expedite consultation
with the Director of the Office of Government Ethics, as required by
section 207(j) of Title 18 of the United States Code. Subsection j of
18 U.S.C. 207 was struck from section 207 in 1989 (Pub. L. 101-194
Ethics Reform Act) and replaced with a section on exceptions.
Therefore, the statutory authority for the Commission to hold a
disciplinary hearing and sanction a former officer or employee as laid
out in 46 CFR 502.32(c)(2)-(11) and (d) no longer exists. Additionally,
the requirement in 46 CFR 502.32(c)(2)(i) for the Chairman to report to
the Director of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) and to the
Criminal Division, Department of Justice substantiated information
regarding possible violations of 18 U.S.C. 207 has been superseded by
the reporting requirements contained in the OGE regulations at 5 CFR
2641.103(a) and 5 CFR 2638.603 in addition to 28 U.S.C. 535. The
Commission notes that 5 CFR 2641.103(a) specifically states that the
criminal and civil enforcement of the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 207 is
the responsibility of the Department of Justice. Reflecting the
statutory change, the Commission revises paragraph (c) of section
502.32.
c. Subpart E--Proceedings; Pleadings; Motions; Replies
The revision to Subpart E is intended both to streamline the
current rules for ease of use by the public and to provide parties to
Commission proceedings with greater clarity as to the requirements
pertaining to the conduct of proceedings, specifically motions,
intervention, and dismissals. Also as described below, the revision
sets out a new procedure for the conduct of Commission-initiated
enforcement proceedings. Minor changes are also made to reorder
sections and enhance clarity generally.
Rule 62 Private Party Complaints for Formal Adjudication
Section 502.62 governs the filing of private party complaints for
formal adjudication and has been revised for clarification and
modernized to request email addresses for parties and their
representatives. Rules related to the filing of answers to complaints
(currently found at 46 CFR 502.64) and statutes of limitations
(currently found at 46 CFR 502.63) have been consolidated into Sec.
502.62. Revised Sec. 502.62 explains more fully what is required in an
answer and also provides for the filing of counterclaims, crossclaims,
and third-party complaints. Commission rules have not previously
addressed these types of claims, though they have been filed and
adjudicated. Revised Sec. 502.62 references decisions on default for
failure to answer a complaint, counterclaim, crossclaim, or third-party
complaint. Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) have adjudicated decisions
on default in the past in various fashions, but the final rule better
defines when an initial decision on default may be issued. The new
default rule is discussed in greater detail below.
Exhibit 1 to Subpart E currently contains a complaint form and a
checklist of information required when filing a complaint. The final
rule removes this form from the rules as the Commission plans to
publish a revision of this form on its Web site along with other forms
and further helpful information for complaint filers, with information
oriented particularly to pro se filers.
Rule 63 Commission Enforcement Action
Section 502.63 provides a new procedure at the initial stages of
Commission enforcement proceedings designed to more efficiently utilize
Commission resources, provide for expeditious resolution of cases where
a respondent defaults or otherwise chooses not to appear, and ensures
due process to respondents. Under current procedure, the Commission
issues an Order of Investigation and Hearing that advises respondents
of the issues under investigation, designates the Commission's Bureau
of Enforcement (BOE) as a party to the proceeding to prosecute the
case, and assigns the matter to the Office of Administrative Law Judges
to conduct the proceeding and issue an initial decision. There is no
requirement in the current procedural rules that a respondent answer or
otherwise respond to the Order. Typically, the presiding officer issues
an initial order to the parties followed by a scheduling order setting
forth dates by which certain aspects of the case must be completed and
generally setting a schedule for the proceeding. It is not uncommon,
however, for a respondent to fail to appear or to initially appear
[[Page 61522]]
and then cease participating in the case. Under these procedures, there
are no Commission rules to address a respondent's failure to appear or
comply with procedural requirements. Instead, the presiding officer is
required to undertake a number of sequential procedural steps to put
the case in a posture where an initial decision can be issued. These
necessary procedural steps can consume several months. For example, a
motion to compel responses to discovery must be filed after the
responses were due; followed by a time period for respondent to reply
to the motion; followed by a time period for the ALJ to issue an order;
followed by another time period for respondent's compliance; followed
by BOE's motion for sanctions for failure to comply with the ALJ's
order; followed by a period of time for respondent's reply; followed by
issuance of the ALJ's order. Obviously, this process is time consuming
and wasteful of limited resources in prosecuting a case which may well
turn out to be an uncontested or a default case. The new rule for
default is discussed in greater detail below.
Under the revised rule, an enforcement action will continue to be
instituted upon the Commission's issuance of an Order of Investigation
and Hearing. The Order of Investigation and Hearing will set forth
specific facts alleged by BOE supporting an assertion that the
respondent has violated the Shipping Act, require an answer from the
respondent, and identify the consequences of failure to answer or
otherwise respond to the Order. Such a procedure is employed by various
other federal agencies in conducting investigative adjudications
including the Federal Trade Commission, Commodity Futures Trading
Commission, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the new
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (interim final rules). The Order
of Investigation and Hearing will also identify the name and address of
each respondent subject to the Order; recite the legal authority and
jurisdiction for instituting the proceeding including designation of
the statutory provisions and/or Commission regulations alleged to have
been violated; include a clear and concise statement of facts
sufficient to inform the respondent of the acts or practices alleged to
constitute a violation of the law; include a statement of the civil
penalties, cease and desist order, and any other appropriate penalty
that may be imposed; specify the date or time period by or in which
respondent must file an answer with the Commission and serve BOE; and a
statement of the consequences for failure to file an answer.
The final rule contains a separate provision addressing the
contents of an answer to an Order of Investigation and Hearing. The
rule requires that a respondent must file an answer with the Commission
and serve the answer on BOE within 25 days after being served with the
Order. The rule further provides that the answer must contain a concise
statement of the facts upon which each ground of defense is based and
an admission, denial, or explanation of each fact alleged in the Order,
or, if the respondent does not have sufficient knowledge of the facts
to prepare a response, a statement to that effect. Factual allegations
in the Order not answered or addressed will be deemed to be admitted.
Rule 64 Alternative Dispute Resolution
The new section 502.64 requires parties to a Commission proceeding
to participate in a preliminary conference to discuss whether the
matter may be resolved through mediation. Under this provision, parties
are required to contact the Director of the Office of Consumer Affairs
& Dispute Resolution Services (CADRS) within fifteen (15) days of the
respondent's filing of an answer to schedule the preliminary
conference. The Director of CADRS or his or her designee will conduct
the preliminary conference either in person or via telephone, video
conference, or other forum convenient to the parties. The designee will
have the ability to communicate with the parties prior to the
preliminary conference to explore issues and to respond to questions
regarding the preliminary conference.
The purpose of the preliminary conference is to provide parties
information regarding mediation services, to explain the mediation
process, and to explore the willingness of parties to resolve their
dispute through mediation, including whether the parties wish to
voluntarily agree to mediate. In addition, the new provision allows
parties, if they so choose, to reconsider use of mediation at a later
time in the proceeding even when a party or parties initially elected
not to use mediation or when prior attempts to mediate the dispute were
unsuccessful.
The preliminary conference will be subject to the Commission's
confidentiality provisions set forth in 46 CFR 502.405 regardless of
whether the parties decide to mediate a dispute or whether such
mediation is successful in resolving the dispute.
The Commission has determined to exclude the Commission's
enforcement proceedings from the mandatory preliminary conference
requirement in the final rule.
Rule 65 Decision on Default
The new rule on default clarifies the process that will occur when
a party fails to participate or respond in a Commission proceeding. The
rule is modeled on that of other agencies that employ a similar
enforcement procedure. A defaulting respondent may petition the
Commission to set aside a decision on default, which may be granted to
prevent injustice upon a showing of good cause. The new rule requires
that such a motion be filed within 22 days after service of the
decision on default to coincide with the current time period for the
filing of exceptions to an initial decision.
Rule 68 Motion for Leave To Intervene
Section 502.68, addresses motions for leave to intervene previously
found in Sec. 502.72. This section has been modernized to reflect
intervention of right and permissive intervention as provided in the
FRCP. The rule requires that parties seek leave to intervene in
proceedings by motion, rather than by petition. The standard recognizes
the existing standard of the Commission's rule as well as that in FRCP
24 governing intervention.
The revised rule allows for permissive intervention by a federal or
state government department or agency or the Commission's Bureau of
Enforcement. The federal or state government or agency or the
Commission's Bureau of Enforcement is required to show that its
expertise is relevant to one or more issues involved in the proceeding
and may assist in the consideration of those issues.
Rule 69 Motions
Section 502.69 reorders the subparts from current Sec. 502.73 into
a more logical fashion and adds two new paragraphs. Paragraph (f)
clarifies when responses to written motions are permitted. Paragraph
(g) defines dispositive motions, because dispositive and non-
dispositive motions are treated differently pursuant to Sec. Sec.
502.70 and 71.
Rule 70 Procedure for Dispositive Motions
Section 502.70 addresses dispositive motions. Because these motions
may dispose of all or part of a proceeding, they are handled
differently from non-dispositive motions. Dispositive motions must
include specific information. Non-moving parties must file responses
within 15 days. The moving party may file a reply within 7 days
thereafter. No further reply may be
[[Page 61523]]
filed unless requested by the presiding officer or upon a showing of
extraordinary circumstances. Because these motions may be dispositive,
the presiding officer may request additional briefing to ensure a full
record. Previously, additional time and briefs were permitted on a case
by case basis.
Rule 71 Procedures for Non-Dispositive Motions
Section 502.71 addresses non-dispositive motions. These are
frequently motions regarding discovery disputes or requesting an
extension of a deadline. They do not tend to be as complex and do not
require as much time to address as dispositive motions. Therefore,
Sec. 502.71 requires the parties to attempt to confer to try to
resolve the dispute before filing the motion. If a motion is still
required (e.g., to extend a date), the motion must state whether it is
opposed. If the motion is opposed, the non-moving party must file a
response within 7 days. A reply is only permitted upon a showing of
extraordinary circumstances. This will allow non-dispositive motions to
be resolved more quickly and efficiently.
Rule 72 Dismissals
Section 502.72 clarifies the process for seeking voluntary and
involuntary dismissals. Without such a rule, parties were not always
certain how to present these dismissals. The rule is similar to FRCP
41.
d. Subpart L--Disclosures and Discovery
The Commission revises its discovery rules found in 46 CFR Subpart
L to modernize and more closely conform them to the current version of
the FRCP and to encourage focused and expeditious use and completion of
discovery. The Shipping Act of 1984 provides that in an investigation
or adjudicatory proceeding under the Act, ``a party may use
depositions, written interrogatories, and discovery procedures under
regulations prescribed by the Commission that, to the extent
practicable, shall conform to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28
App. U.S.C.).'' 46 U.S.C. 41303(a). In 1984, the Commission promulgated
discovery rules based on the federal rules as they then existed. The
Commission promulgated minor amendments to Sec. 502.203 in 1993 and
Sec. 502.201 in 1999, but in all other respects the rules are
unchanged since 1984. The FRCP on discovery, on the other hand, has
been extensively revised since 1984.
As a general matter, to ensure that FMC proceedings are conducted
as efficiently as possible, the Commission is not adopting the various
deadlines from the FRCP. To ensure parties are present in the case,
revised deadlines would run from the date of the service of the answer,
as opposed to the complaint, including the deadline for filing initial
disclosures (Sec. 502.201(b)), completion of discovery (Sec.
502.201(g)), and initial duty to confer (Sec. 502.201(h)). The
Commission also does not adopt many of those rules that pertain to
trials, as trial-type hearings are currently the exception in
Commission proceedings. The Commission incorporates references to
electronically stored documents and treats those similar to the FRCP in
the context of discovery.
Rule 201 Duty to Disclose; General Provisions Governing Discovery
Section 502.201 governs discovery generally, defines the scope of
discovery and its limits, and provides for limited initial disclosures
to be made by all parties to any Commission proceeding within seven
days of receipt of respondent's answer. The requirement to make initial
disclosures is a new requirement in Commission proceedings. FRCP 26
requires initial disclosures in federal courts, and the procedural
rules of other federal agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission,
require initial disclosure in proceedings. Revised Sec. 502.201
requires the parties to confer within 14 days of receipt of
respondent's answer, to complete discovery within 150 days of the
answer, and requires supplementation of responses to discovery.
Currently, discovery must be completed within 120 days of notice of the
complaint filing. This time period has proven to be unrealistic,
particularly because the actual date of receipt of an answer can vary
greatly. Revised Sec. 502.201 adopts the federal rule on the scope of
discovery as it currently exists in FRCP 26(b)(1), and increases the
time period to complete discovery.
Revised Sec. 502.201 also requires the disclosure of expert
witnesses. The substance of the requirement tracks the federal rule,
except with respect to the time for disclosures to be provided. The
federal rule requires disclosure of experts and their reports no later
than 90 days before trial. This deadline is not suitable in view of the
Commission's 150 day discovery period. Therefore, parties are required
to address expert disclosures and discovery as part of the ``duty to
confer'' requirement and, if experts will be used, schedule disclosure
and exchange of reports in their proposed schedule.
Rule 202 Persons Before Whom Depositions May Be Taken
Rule 203 Depositions by Oral Examination; And
Rule 204 Depositions by Written Questions
Sections 502.202, 203, and 204 modernize Commission rules on
depositions to conform with current FRCP 28, 29, 30, and 31. While the
Commission's rules have followed the FRCP in other respects, there are
currently no limitations on the number of depositions. The revised
rules limit the number of depositions that may be taken without
stipulation or leave of the presiding officer to 20.
Rule 205 Interrogatories to parties
Section 205 pertains to interrogatories and also conforms to FRCP
33. Under the revised rule, a party will be permitted to serve no more
than 50 written interrogatories without stipulation or leave of the
presiding officer.
Rule 206 Producing Documents, Electronically Stored Information, and
Tangible Things, or Entering Onto Land, for Inspection and Other
Purposes
Section 502.206 continues to echo FRCP 34, but incorporates
reference to production of electronically stored information and
establishes that responses to requests are due within 30 days, whereas
the current rule does not specify a deadline for such a response.
Rule 207 Requests for Admission; And
Rule 208 Use of Discovery Procedures Directed to Commission Staff
Personnel
Section 502.207 generally follows FRCP 36, although it does not
allow the award of expenses if a party fails to admit a matter that is
later proven true. Section 502.208 remains unchanged.
Rule 209 Use of Depositions at Hearings
Section 502.209 continues to follow FRCP 32, but does not reference
that rule in its entirety as certain provisions, such as FRCP 32(a)(5)
(Limitations on use) are not typically relevant in Commission
proceedings. References to the Federal Rules of Evidence are removed as
they do not generally apply to administrative proceedings.
Rule 210 Motions To Compel Initial Disclosure or Compliance With
Discovery Requests; Failure To Comply With Order To Make Disclosure or
Answer or Produce Documents; Sanctions; Enforcement
Section 502.210 is revised to more closely conform to FRCP
37(b)(2)(A),
[[Page 61524]]
and makes the failure to make initial disclosures subject to a motion
to compel and sanctions. The revised rule also changes the response
period to 7 days in accordance with the general rule applicable to
responses to motions.
As this rulemaking only affects the Commission's Rules of Practice
and Procedure, this final rule is not subject to the general notice of
proposed rulemaking requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(A). Therefore, this final rule is not subject to the
Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.
This final rule is not a ``major rule'' under 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
List of Subjects in 46 CFR Part 502
Administrative practice and procedure, Claims, Equal access to
justice, Investigations, Lawyers, Maritime carriers, Penalties,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Federal Maritime
Commission amends 46 CFR part 502 as follows.
PART 502--RULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
0
1. The authority citation for part 502 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 504, 551, 552, 553, 556(c), 559, 561-569,
571-596; 12 U.S.C. 1141j(a); 18 U.S.C. 207; 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3); 28
U.S.C. 2112(a); 31 U.S.C. 9701; 46 U.S.C. 305, 40103-40104, 40304,
40306, 40501-40503, 40701-40706, 41101-41109, 41301-41309, 44101-
44106; E.O. 11222 of May 8, 1965, 30 FR 6469, 3 CFR 1964-1965 Comp.
p. 306; 21 U.S.C. 853a.
0
2. In Sec. 502.5, amend paragraph (b) by revising the first sentence
to read as follows:
Sec. 502.5 Documents containing confidential materials.
* * * * *
(b) Whenever a confidential filing is submitted, there must also be
submitted an original and two copies of a public version of the filing.
* * *
* * * * *
0
3. In Sec. 502.32, revise paragraph (c) to read as follows:
Sec. 502.32 Former employees.
* * * * *
(c) Reporting possible violations. Possible violations of section
207 of Title 18 of the United States Code, 18 U.S.C. 207, by the
Commission's former officers and employees are required to be reported
to the Attorney General and the Office of Government Ethics, pursuant
to the regulations of the Office of Government Ethics at 5 CFR
2641.103(a) and 5 CFR 2638.603.
* * * * *
0
4. Revise subpart E to read as follows:
Subpart E--Proceedings; Pleadings; Motions; Replies
Sec.
502.61 Proceedings.
502.62 Private party complaints for formal adjudication.
502.63 Commission enforcement action.
502.64 Alternative dispute resolution.
502.65 Decision on default.
502.66 Amendments or supplements to pleadings.
502.67 Motion for more definite statement.
502.68 Motion for leave to intervene.
502.69 Motions.
502.70 Procedure for dispositive motions.
502.71 Procedure for non-dispositive motions.
502.72 Dismissals.
502.73 Order to show cause.
502.74 Exemption procedures--general.
502.75 Declaratory orders and fee.
502.76 Petitions--general and fee.
502.77 Proceedings involving assessment agreements.
502.78 Brief of an amicus curiae.
Subpart E--Proceedings; Pleadings; Motions; Replies
Sec. 502.61 Proceedings.
(a) Any person may commence a proceeding by filing a complaint
(Rule 62) for a formal adjudication under normal or shortened
procedures (subpart K) or by filing a claim for the informal
adjudication of small claims (subpart S). A person may also file a
petition for a rulemaking (Rule 51), for an exemption (Rule 74), for a
declaratory order (Rule 75), or for other appropriate relief (Rule 76),
which becomes a proceeding when the Commission assigns a formal docket
number to the petition. The Commission may commence a proceeding for a
rulemaking, for an adjudication (including Commission enforcement
action under Sec. 502.63), or a non-adjudicatory investigation upon
petition or on its own initiative by issuing an appropriate order.
(b) In the order instituting a proceeding or in the notice of
filing of complaint and assignment, the Commission must establish dates
by which the initial decision and the final Commission decision will be
issued. These dates may be extended by order of the Commission for good
cause shown. [Rule 61.]
Sec. 502.62 Private party complaints for formal adjudication.
(a) Filing a complaint for formal adjudication. (1) A person may
file a sworn complaint alleging violation of the Shipping Act of 1984,
46 U.S.C. 40101 et seq.
(2) Form. Complaints should be drafted in accordance with the rules
in this section.
(3) Content of complaint. The complaint must be verified and must
contain the following:
(i) The name, street address, and email address of each
complainant, and the name, address, and email address of each
complainant's attorney or representative, the name, address, and, if
known, email address of each person against whom complaint is made;
(ii) A recitation of the legal authority and jurisdiction for
institution of the proceeding, with specific designation of the
statutory provisions alleged to have been violated;
(iii) A clear and concise factual statement sufficient to inform
each respondent with reasonable definiteness of the acts or practices
alleged to be in violation of the law; and
(iv) A request for the relief and other affirmative action sought.
(v) Shipping Act violation must be alleged. If the complaint fails
to indicate the sections of the Act alleged to have been violated or
clearly to state facts which support the allegations, the Commission
may, on its own initiative, require the complaint to be amended to
supply such further particulars as it deems necessary.
(4) Complaints seeking reparation; statute of limitations. A
complaint may seek reparation (money damages) for injury caused by
violation of the Shipping Act of 1984. (See subpart O of this part.)
(i) Where reparation is sought, the complaint must set forth the
injury caused by the alleged violation and the amount of alleged
damages.
(ii) Except under unusual circumstances and for good cause shown,
reparation will not be awarded upon a complaint in which it is not
specifically requested, nor upon a new complaint by or for the same
complainant which is based upon a finding in the original proceeding.
(iii) A complaint seeking reparation must be filed within three
years after the claim accrues. Notification to the Commission that a
complaint may or will be filed for the recovery of reparation will not
constitute a filing within the applicable statutory period.
(iv) Civil penalties must not be requested and will not be awarded
in complaint proceedings.
(5) Oral hearing. The complaint should designate whether an oral
hearing is requested and the desired place for any oral hearing. The
presiding
[[Page 61525]]
officer will determine whether an oral hearing is necessary.
(6) Filing fee. The complaint must be accompanied by remittance of
a $221 filing fee.
(7) A complaint is deemed filed on the date it is received by the
Commission.
(b) Answer to a complaint. (1) Time for filing. A respondent must
file with the Commission an answer to the complaint and must serve the
answer on complainant as provided in subpart H of this part within 25
days after the date of service of the complaint by the Commission
unless this period has been extended under Sec. 502.67 or Sec.
502.102, or reduced under Sec. 502.103, or unless motion is filed to
withdraw or dismiss the complaint, in which latter case, answer must be
filed within 10 days after service of an order denying such motion. For
good cause shown, the presiding officer may extend the time for filing
an answer.
(2) Contents of answer. The answer must be verified and must
contain the following:
(i) The name, address, and email address of each respondent, and
the name, address, and email address of each respondent's attorney or
representative;
(ii) Admission or denial of each alleged violation of the Shipping
Act;
(iii) A clear and concise statement of each ground of defense and
specific admission, denial, or explanation of facts alleged in the
complaint, or, if respondent is without knowledge or information
thereof, a statement to that effect, and a statement showing that the
complainant is entitled to relief;
(iv) Any affirmative defenses, including allegations of any
additional facts on which the affirmative defenses are based; and
(3) Oral hearing. The answer should designate whether an oral
hearing is requested and the desired place for such hearing. The
presiding officer will determine whether an oral hearing is necessary.
(4) Counterclaims, crossclaims, and third-party complaints. In
addition to filing an answer to a complaint, a respondent may include
in the answer a counterclaim against the complainant, a crossclaim
against another respondent, or a third-party complaint. A counterclaim,
a crossclaim, or a third-party complaint must allege and be limited to
violations of the Shipping Act within the jurisdiction of the
Commission. The service and filing of a counterclaim, a crossclaim, or
a third-party complaint and answers or replies thereto are governed by
the rules and requirements of this section for the filing of complaints
and answers.
(5) A reply to an answer may not be filed unless ordered by the
presiding officer.
(6) Effect of failure to file answer. (i) Failure of a party to
file an answer to a complaint, counterclaim, crossclaim, or third-party
complaint within the time provided will be deemed to constitute a
waiver of that party's right to appear and contest the allegations of
the complaint, counterclaim, crossclaim, or third-party complaint to
which it has not filed an answer and to authorize the presiding officer
to enter an initial decision on default as provide for in 46 CFR
502.65. Well pleaded factual allegations in the complaint not answered
or addressed will be deemed to be admitted.
(ii) A party may make a motion for initial decision on default.
[Rule 62.]
Sec. 502.63 Commission enforcement action.
(a) The Commission may issue an Order of Investigation and Hearing
commencing an adjudicatory investigation against one or more
respondents alleging one or more violations of the statutes that it
administers.
(b) Contents of Order of Investigation and Hearing. The Order of
Investigation and Hearing must contain the following:
(1) The name, street address, and, if known, email address of each
person against whom violations are alleged;
(2) A recitation of the legal authority and jurisdiction for
institution of the proceeding, with specific designation of the
statutory provisions alleged to have been violated;
(3) A clear and concise factual statement sufficient to inform each
respondent with reasonable definiteness of the acts and practices
alleged to be in violation of the law;
(4) Notice of penalties, cease and desist order, or other
affirmative action sought; and
(5) Notice of the requirement to file an answer and a statement of
the consequences of failure to file an answer.
(c) Answer to Order of Investigation and Hearing. (1) Time for
filing. A respondent must file with the Commission an answer to the
Order of Investigation and Hearing and serve a copy of the answer on
the Bureau of Enforcement within 25 days after being served with the
Order of Investigation and Hearing unless this period has been extended
under Sec. 502.67 or Sec. 502.102, or reduced under Sec. 502.103, or
unless motion is filed to withdraw or dismiss the Order of
Investigation and Hearing, in which latter case, answer must be filed
within 10 days after service of an order denying such motion. For good
cause shown, the presiding officer may extend the time for filing an
answer.
(2) Contents of answer. The answer must be verified and must
contain the following:
(i) The name, address, and email address of each respondent, and
the name, address, and email address of each respondent's attorney or
representative;
(ii) Admission or denial of each alleged violation of the Shipping
Act;
(iii) A clear and concise statement of each ground of defense and
specific admission, denial, or explanation of facts alleged in the
complaint, or, if respondent is without knowledge or information
thereof, a statement to that effect; and
(iv) Any affirmative defenses, including allegations of any
additional facts on which the affirmative defenses are based.
(3) Oral hearing. The answer must indicate whether an oral hearing
is requested and the desired place for such hearing. The presiding
officer will determine whether an oral hearing is necessary.
(4) Effect of failure to file answer. (i) Failure of a respondent
to file an answer to an Order of Investigation and Hearing within the
time provided will be deemed to constitute a waiver of the respondent's
right to appear and contest the allegations in the Order of
Investigation and Hearing and to authorize the presiding officer to
enter a decision on default as provided for in 46 CFR 502.65. Well
pleaded factual allegations in the Order of Investigation and Hearing
not answered or addressed will be deemed to be admitted.
(ii) The Bureau of Enforcement may make a motion for decision on
default. [Rule 63.]
Sec. 502.64 Alternative dispute resolution.
(a) Mandatory preliminary conference. (1) Participation. Subsequent
to service of a Complaint, parties must participate in a preliminary
conference with the Commission's Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute
Resolution Services (CADRS) as to whether the matter may be resolved
through mediation. The preliminary conference may be conducted either
in person or via telephone, video conference, or other forum.
(2) Timing. Within fifteen (15) days of the filing of an answer,
the parties must contact the Director of CADRS to schedule the
preliminary conference. The Director of CADRS or his/her designees will
conduct the preliminary
[[Page 61526]]
conference and may confer with each party separately at any time.
(b) Continued availability of dispute resolution services to
resolve procedural and other disputes. Pursuant to subpart U of this
part, the parties mutually may agree, at any time prior to the
termination of a Commission proceeding, to initiate or reopen a
mediation proceeding to explore resolution of procedural or substantive
issues.
(c) Proceeding not stayed during dispute resolution process. Unless
otherwise ordered by the presiding officer, a mediation proceeding does
not stay or delay the procedural time requirements set forth by rule or
order of the presiding officer.
(d) Confidentiality. The preliminary conference will be
confidential. [Rule 64.]
Sec. 502.65 Decision on default.
(a) A party to a proceeding may be deemed to be in default if that
party fails:
(1) To appear, in person or through a representative, at a hearing
or conference of which that party has been notified;
(2) To answer, to respond to a dispositive motion within the time
provided, or otherwise to defend the proceeding; or
(3) To cure a deficient filing within the time specified by the
Commission or the presiding officer.
(b) When a party is found to be in default, the Commission or the
presiding officer may issue a decision on default upon consideration of
the record, including the complaint or Order of Investigation and
Hearing.
(c) The presiding officer may require additional information or
clarification when needed to issue a decision on default, including a
determination of the amount of reparations or civil penalties where
applicable.
(d) A respondent who has defaulted may file with the Commission a
petition to set aside a decision on default. Such a petition must be
made within 22 days of the service date of the decision, state in
detail the reasons for failure to appear or defend, and specify the
nature of the proposed defense. In order to prevent injustice, the
Commission may for good cause shown set aside a decision on default.
[Rule 65.]
Sec. 502.66 Amendments or supplements to pleadings.
(a) Amendments or supplements to any pleading (complaint, Order of
Investigation and Hearing, counterclaim, crossclaim, third-party
complaint, and answers thereto) will be permitted or rejected, either
in the discretion of the Commission or presiding officer. No amendment
will be allowed that would broaden the issues, without opportunity to
reply to such amended pleading and to prepare for the broadened issues.
The presiding officer may direct a party to state its case more fully
and in more detail by way of amendment.
(b) A response to an amended pleading must be filed and served in
conformity with the requirements of subpart H and Sec. 502.69 of this
part, unless the Commission or the presiding officer directs otherwise.
Amendments or supplements allowed prior to hearing will be served in
the same manner as the original pleading, except that the presiding
officer may authorize the service of amended complaints directly by the
parties rather than by the Secretary of the Commission.
(c) Whenever by the rules in this part a pleading is required to be
verified, the amendment or supplement must also be verified. [Rule 66.]
Sec. 502.67 Motion for more definite statement.
If a pleading (including a complaint, counterclaim, crossclaim, or
third-party complaint filed pursuant to Sec. 502.62) to which a
responsive pleading is permitted is so vague or ambiguous that a party
cannot reasonably prepare a response, the party may move for a more
definite statement before filing a responsive pleading. The motion must
be filed within 15 days of the pleading and must point out the defects
complained of and the details desired. If the motion is granted and the
order of the presiding officer is not obeyed within 10 days after
service of the order or within such time as the presiding officer sets,
the presiding officer may strike the pleading to which the motion was
directed or issue any other appropriate order. If the motion is denied,
the time for responding to the pleading must be extended to a date 10
days after service of the notice of denial. [Rule 67.]
Sec. 502.68 Motion for leave to intervene.
(a) Filing. A motion for leave to intervene may be filed in any
proceeding.
(b) Procedure for intervention. (1) Upon request, the Commission
will furnish a service list to any member of the public pursuant to
part 503 of this chapter.
(2) The motion must:
(i) Comply with all applicable provisions of subpart A of this
part;
(ii) Indicate the type of intervention sought;
(iii) Describe the interest and position of the person seeking
intervention, and address the grounds for intervention set forth in
paragraph (c) of this section;
(iv) Describe the nature and extent of its proposed participation,
including the use of discovery, presentation of evidence, and
examination of witnesses;
(v) State the basis for affirmative relief, if affirmative relief
is sought; and
(vi) Be served on existing parties by the person seeking
intervention pursuant to subpart H of this part.
(3) A response to a motion to intervene must be served and filed
within 15 days after the date of service of the motion.
(c)(1) Intervention of right. The presiding officer or Commission
must permit anyone to intervene who claims an interest relating to the
property or transaction that is subject of the proceeding, and is so
situated that disposition of the proceeding may as a practical matter
impair or impede the ability of such person to protect its interest,
unless existing parties adequately represent that interest.
(2) Permissive intervention. (i) In general. The presiding officer
or Commission may permit anyone to intervene who shows that a common
issue of law or fact exists between such person's interest and the
subject matter of the proceeding; that intervention would not unduly
delay or broaden the scope of the proceeding, prejudice the
adjudication of the rights, or be duplicative of the positions of any
existing party; and that such person's participation may reasonably be
expected to assist in the development of a sound record.
(ii) By a government department, agency, or the Commission's Bureau
of Enforcement. The presiding officer or Commission may permit
intervention by a Federal or State government department or agency or
the Commission's Bureau of Enforcement upon a showing that its
expertise is relevant to one or more issues involved in the proceeding
and may assist in the consideration of those issues.
(3) The timeliness of the motion will also be considered in
determining whether a motion will be granted under paragraph (b)(2) of
this section and should be filed no later than 30 days after
publication in the Federal Register of the Commission's order
instituting the proceeding or the notice of the filing of the
complaint. Motions filed after that date must show good cause for the
failure to file within the 30-day period.
(d) Use of discovery by an intervenor. (1) Absent good cause shown,
an intervenor desiring to utilize the discovery procedures provided in
[[Page 61527]]
subpart L must commence doing so no more than 15 days after its motion
for leave to intervene has been granted.
(2) The Commission or presiding officer may impose reasonable
limitations on an intervenor's participation in order to:
(i) Restrict irrelevant or duplicative discovery, evidence, or
argument;
(ii) Have common interests represented by a spokesperson; and
(iii) Retain authority to determine priorities and control the
course of the proceeding.
(3) The use of discovery procedures by an intervenor whose motion
was filed more than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register
of the Commission's order instituting the proceeding or the notice of
the filing of the complaint will not be allowed if the presiding
officer determines that the use of the discovery by the intervenor will
unduly delay the proceeding. [Rule 68.]
Sec. 502.69 Motions.
(a) In any adjudication, an application or request for an order or
ruling not otherwise specifically provided for in this part must be by
motion. After the assignment of a presiding officer to a proceeding and
before the issuance of his or her recommended or initial decision, all
motions must be addressed to and ruled upon by the presiding officer
unless the subject matter of the motion is beyond his or her authority,
in which event the matter must be referred to the Commission. If the
proceeding is not before the presiding officer, motions must be
designated as petitions and must be addressed to and ruled upon by the
Commission.
(b) Motions must be in writing, except that a motion made at a
hearing may be sufficient if stated orally upon the record.
(c) Oral argument upon a written motion may be permitted at the
discretion of the presiding officer or the Commission.
(d) A repetitious motion will not be entertained.
(e) All written motions must state clearly and concisely the
purpose of and the relief sought by the motion, the statutory or
principal authority relied upon, and the facts claimed to constitute
the grounds supporting the relief requested; and must conform with the
requirements of subpart H of this part.
(f) Any party may file and serve a response to any written motion,
pleading, petition, application, etc., permitted under this part except
as otherwise provided respecting answers (Sec. 502.62), shortened
procedure (subpart K of this part), briefs (Sec. 502.221), exceptions
(Sec. 502.227), and reply to petitions for attorney fees under the
Equal Access to Justice Act (Sec. 502.503(b)(1)).
(g) Dispositive and non-dispositive motions defined. For the
purpose of these rules, dispositive motion means a motion for decision
on the pleadings; motion for summary decision or partial summary
decision; motion to dismiss all or part of a proceeding or party to a
proceeding; motion for involuntary dismissal; motion for initial
decision on default; or any other motion for a final determination of
all or part of a proceeding. All other motions, including all motions
related to discovery, are non-dispositive motions. [Rule 69.]
Sec. 502.70 Procedure for dispositive motions.
(a) A dispositive motion as defined in Sec. 502.69(g) of this
subpart must include a concise statement of the legal basis of the
motion with citation to legal authority and a statement of material
facts with exhibits as appropriate.
(b) A response to a dispositive motion must be served and filed
within 15 days after the date of service of the motion. The response
must include a concise statement of the legal basis of the response
with citation to legal authority and specific responses to any
statements of material facts with exhibits as appropriate.
(c) A reply to the response to a dispositive motion may be filed
within 7 days after the date of service of the response to the motion.
A reply may not raise new grounds for relief or present matters that do
not relate to the response and must not reargue points made in the
opening motion.
(d) The non-moving party may not file any further reply unless
requested by the Commission or presiding officer, or upon a showing of
extraordinary circumstances.
(e) Page limits. Neither the motion nor the response may exceed 30
pages, excluding exhibits or appendices, without leave of the presiding
officer. A reply may not exceed 15 pages. [Rule 70.]
Sec. 502.71 Procedure for non-dispositive motions.
(a) Duty to confer. Before filing a non-dispositive motion as
defined in Sec. 502.69(g) of this subpart, the parties must attempt to
discuss the anticipated motion with each other in a good faith effort
to determine whether there is any opposition to the relief sought and,
if there is opposition, to narrow the areas of disagreement. The moving
party must state within the body of the motion what attempt was made or
that the discussion occurred and whether the motion is opposed.
(b) Response to a non-dispositive motion. A response to a non-
dispositive motion must be served and filed within 7 days after the
date of service of the motion.
(c) Response replies. The moving party may not file a reply to a
response to a non-dispositive motion unless requested by the Commission
or presiding officer, or upon a showing of extraordinary circumstances.
(d) Page limits. Neither the motion nor the response may exceed 10
pages, excluding exhibits or appendices, without leave of the presiding
officer. [Rule 71.]
Sec. 502.72 Dismissals.
(a) Voluntary dismissal. (1) By the complainant. The complainant
may dismiss an action without an order from the presiding officer by
filing a notice of dismissal before the opposing party serves either an
answer, a motion to dismiss, or a motion for summary decision; or a
stipulation of dismissal signed by all parties who have appeared.
Unless the notice or stipulation states otherwise, the dismissal is
without prejudice.
(2) By order of the presiding officer. Except as provided in
paragraph (a)(1) of this section, an action may be dismissed at the
complainant's request only by order of the presiding officer or the
Commission, on terms the presiding officer considers proper. If a
respondent has pleaded a counterclaim before being served with the
complainant's motion to dismiss, the action may be dismissed over the
respondent's objection only if the counterclaim can remain pending for
independent adjudication. Unless the order states otherwise, a
dismissal under this paragraph is without prejudice.
(b) Involuntary dismissal; effect. If the complainant fails to
prosecute or to comply with these rules or an order in the proceeding,
a respondent may move to dismiss the action or any claim against it.
Unless the dismissal order states otherwise, a dismissal under this
subpart, except one for lack of jurisdiction or failure to join a
party, operates as an adjudication on the merits.
(c) Dismissing a counterclaim, crossclaim, or third-party claim.
This rule applies to dismissals of any counterclaim, crossclaim, or
third-party claim. A claimant's voluntary dismissal under this rule
must be made before a responsive pleading is served. [Rule 72.]
[[Page 61528]]
Sec. 502.73 Order to show cause.
The Commission may institute a proceeding by order to show cause.
The order must be served upon all persons named therein, must include
the information specified in Sec. 502.143, must require the person
named therein to answer, and may require such person to appear at a
specified time and place and present evidence upon the matters
specified. [Rule 73.]
Sec. 502.74 Exemption procedures--general.
(a) Authority. The Commission, upon application or on its own
motion, may by order or regulation exempt for the future any class of
agreements between persons subject to the Shipping Act of 1984 or any
specified activity of those persons from any requirement of the Act if
the Commission finds that the exemption will not result in substantial
reduction in competition or be detrimental to commerce. The Commission
may attach conditions to any exemption and may, by order, revoke any
exemption.
(b) Application for exemption. Any person may petition the
Commission for an exemption or revocation of an exemption of any class
of agreements or an individual agreement or any specified activity
pursuant to section 16 of the Shipping Act of 1984 (46 U.S.C. 40103). A
petition for exemption must state the particular requirement of the
Shipping Act of 1984 for which exemption is sought. The petition must
also include a statement of the reasons why an exemption should be
granted or revoked, must provide information relevant to any finding
required by the Act and must comply with Sec. 502.76. Where a petition
for exemption of an individual agreement is made, the application must
include a copy of the agreement. Unless a petition specifically
requests an exemption by regulation, the Commission must evaluate the
petition as a request for an exemption by order.
(c) Participation by interested persons. No order or regulation of
exemption or revocation of exemption may be issued unless opportunity
for hearing has been afforded interested persons and departments and
agencies of the United States.
(d) Federal Register notice. Notice of any proposed exemption or
revocation of exemption, whether upon petition or the Commission's own
motion, must be published in the Federal Register. The notice must
include when applicable:
(1) A short title for the proposed exemption or the title of the
existing exemption;
(2) The identity of the party proposing the exemption or seeking
revocation;
(3) A concise summary of the agreement or class of agreements or
specified activity for which exemption is sought, or the exemption
which is to be revoked;
(4) A statement that the petition and any accompanying information
are available for inspection in the Commission's offices in Washington,
DC; and
(5) The final date for filing comments regarding the proposal.
[Rule 74.]
Sec. 502.75 Declaratory orders and fee.
(a)(1) The Commission may, in its discretion, issue a declaratory
order to terminate a controversy or to remove uncertainty.
(2) Petitions for the issuance thereof must: state clearly and
concisely the controversy or uncertainty; name the persons and cite the
statutory authority involved; include a complete statement of the facts
and grounds prompting the petition, together with full disclosure of
petitioner's interest; be served upon all parties named therein; and
conform to the requirements of subpart H of this part.
(3) Petitions must be accompanied by remittance of a $241 filing
fee.
(b) Petitions under this section must be limited to matters
involving conduct or activity regulated by the Commission under
statutes administered by the Commission. The procedures of this section
must be invoked solely for the purpose of obtaining declaratory rulings
which will allow persons to act without peril upon their own view.
Controversies involving an allegation of violation by another person of
statutes administered by the Commission, for which coercive rulings
such as payment of reparation or cease and desist orders are sought,
are not proper subjects of petitions under this section. Such matters
must be adjudicated either by filing of a complaint under section 11 of
the Shipping Act of 1984 (46 U.S.C. 41301-41302, 41305-41307(a)) and
Sec. 502.62, or by filing of a petition for investigation under Sec.
502.76.
(c) Petitions under this section must be accompanied by the
complete factual and legal presentation of petitioner as to the desired
resolution of the controversy or uncertainty, or a detailed explanation
why such can only be developed through discovery or evidentiary
hearing.
(d) Responses to the petition must contain the complete factual and
legal presentation of the responding party as to the desired
resolution, or a detailed explanation why such can only be developed
through discovery or evidentiary hearing. Responses must conform to the
requirements of Sec. 502.69 and must be served pursuant to subpart H
of this part.
(e) No additional submissions will be permitted unless ordered or
requested by the Commission or the presiding officer. If discovery or
evidentiary hearing on the petition is deemed necessary by the parties,
such must be requested in the petition or responses. Requests must
state in detail the facts to be developed, their relevance to the
issues, and why discovery or hearing procedures are necessary to
develop such facts.
(f)(1) A notice of filing of any petition which meets the
requirements of this section must be published in the Federal Register.
The notice will indicate the time for filing of responses to the
petition. If the controversy or uncertainty is one of general public
interest, and not limited to specifically named persons, opportunity
for response will be given to all interested persons including the
Commission's Bureau of Enforcement.
(2) In the case of petitions involving a matter limited to
specifically named persons, participation by persons not named therein
will be permitted only upon grant of intervention by the Commission
pursuant to Sec. 502.68.
(3) Petitions for leave to intervene must be submitted on or before
the response date and must be accompanied by intervenor's complete
response including its factual and legal presentation in the matter.
(g) Petitions for declaratory order which conform to the
requirements of this section will be referred to a formal docket.
Referral to a formal docket is not to be construed as the exercise by
the Commission of its discretion to issue an order on the merits of the
petition. [Rule 75.]
Sec. 502.76 Petitions--general and fee.
(a) Except when submitted in connection with a formal proceeding,
all claims for relief or other affirmative action by the Commission,
including appeals from Commission staff action, except as otherwise
provided in this part, must be by written petition, which must state
clearly and concisely the petitioner's grounds of interest in the
subject matter, the facts relied upon and the relief sought, must cite
by appropriate reference the statutory provisions or other authority
relied upon for relief, must be served upon all parties named therein,
and must conform otherwise to the requirements of subpart H of this
part. Responses thereto must conform to the requirements of Sec.
502.67.
(b) Petitions must be accompanied by remittance of a $241 filing
fee. [Rule 76.]
[[Page 61529]]
Sec. 502.77 Proceedings involving assessment agreements.
(a) In complaint proceedings involving assessment agreements filed
under section 5(e) of the Shipping Act of 1984 (46 U.S.C. 40301(e),
40305), the Notice of Filing of Complaint and Assignment will specify a
date before which the initial decision will be issued, which date will
not be more than eight months from the date the complaint was filed.
(b) Any party to a proceeding conducted under this section who
desires to utilize the prehearing discovery procedures provided by
subpart L of this part must commence doing so at the time it files its
initial pleading, i.e., complaint, answer, or petition for leave to
intervene. Discovery matters accompanying complaints must be filed with
the Secretary of the Commission for service pursuant to Sec. 502.113.
Answers or objections to discovery requests must be subject to the
normal provisions set forth in subpart L.
(c) Exceptions to the decision of the presiding officer, filed
pursuant to Sec. 502.227, must be filed and served no later than 15
days after date of service of the initial decision. Replies thereto
must be filed and served no later than 15 days after date of service of
exceptions. In the absence of exceptions, the decision of the presiding
officer must be final within 30 days from the date of service, unless
within that period, a determination to review is made in accordance
with the procedures outlined in Sec. 502.227. [Rule 77.]
Sec. 502.78 Brief of an amicus curiae.
(a) A brief of an amicus curiae may be filed only by leave of the
Commission or the presiding officer granted on motion with notice to
the parties, or at the request of the Commission or the presiding
officer, except that leave must not be required when the brief is
presented by the United States or any agency or officer of the United
States. The brief may be conditionally filed with the motion for leave.
A brief of an amicus curiae must be limited to questions of law or
policy.
(b) A motion for leave to file an amicus brief must identify the
interest of the applicant and must state the reasons why such a brief
is desirable.
(c) Except as otherwise permitted by the Commission or the
presiding officer, an amicus curiae must file its brief no later than 7
days after the initial brief of the party it supports is received at
the Commission. An amicus curiae that is not supporting either party
must file its brief no later than 7 days after the initial brief of the
first party filing a brief is received at the Commission. The
Commission or the presiding officer must grant leave for a later filing
only for cause shown, in which event the period within which an
opposing party may answer must be specified.
(d) A motion of an amicus curiae to participate in oral argument
will be granted only in accordance with the requirements of Sec.
502.241. [Rule 78.]
0
5. Revise Subpart L to read as follows:
Subpart L--Disclosures and Discovery
Sec.
502.201 Duty to disclose; general provisions governing discovery.
502.202 Persons before whom depositions may be taken.
502.203 Depositions by oral examination.
502.204 Depositions by written questions.
502.205 Interrogatories to parties.
502.206 Producing documents, electronically stored information, and
tangible things, or entering onto land, for inspection and other
purposes.
502.207 Requests for admission.
502.208 Use of discovery procedures directed to Commission staff
personnel.
502.209 Use of depositions at hearings.
502.210 Motions to compel initial disclosures or compliance with
discovery requests; failure to comply with order to make disclosure
or answer or produce documents; sanctions; enforcement.
Subpart L--Disclosures and Discovery
Sec. 502.201 Duty to disclose; general provisions governing
discovery.
(a) Applicability. Unless otherwise stated in subpart S, T, or any
other subpart of this part, the procedures described in this subpart
are available in all adjudicatory proceedings under the Shipping Act of
1984.
(b) Initial disclosures. Except as otherwise stipulated or ordered
by the Commission or presiding officer, and except as provided in this
subpart related to disclosure of expert testimony, all parties must,
within 7 days of service of a respondent's answer to the complaint or
Order of Investigation and Hearing and without awaiting a discovery
request, provide to each other:
(1) The name and, if known, the address and telephone number of
each individual likely to have discoverable information that the
disclosing party may use to support its claims or defenses, unless the
use would be solely for impeachment;
(2) A copy, or a description by category and location, of all
documents, electronically stored information, and tangible things that
the disclosing party has in its possession, custody, or control and may
use to support its claims or defenses, unless the use would be solely
for impeachment;
(3) An estimate of any damages claimed by the disclosing party who
must also make available for inspection and copying the documents or
other evidentiary material, unless privileged or protected from
disclosure, on which the estimate is based, including materials bearing
on the nature and extent of injuries suffered.
(c) For parties served or joined later. A party that is first
served or otherwise joined after the answer is made must make the
initial disclosures within 5 days after an order of intervention is
granted, unless a different time is set by stipulation or order of
presiding officer. All parties must also produce to the late-joined
party any initial disclosures previously made.
(d) Disclosure of expert testimony. (1) In general. A party must
disclose to the other parties the identity of any witness it may use in
the proceeding to present evidence as an expert.
(2) Witnesses who are required to provide a written report. Unless
otherwise stipulated or ordered by the presiding officer, if the
witness is one retained or specially employed to provide expert
testimony in the proceeding or one whose duties as the party's employee
regularly involve giving expert testimony, the disclosure must be
accompanied by a written report, prepared and signed by the witness.
The report must contain:
(i) A complete statement of all opinions the witness will express
and the basis and reasons for them;
(ii) The facts or data considered by the witness in forming them;
(iii) Any exhibits that will be used to summarize or support them;
(iv) The witness's qualifications, including a list of all
publications authored in the previous 10 years;
(v) A list of all other proceedings or cases in which, during the
previous 4 years, the witness testified as an expert in a trial, an
administrative proceeding, or by deposition; and
(vi) A statement of the compensation to be paid for the study and
testimony in the proceeding.
(3) Witnesses who are not required to provide a written report.
Unless otherwise stipulated or ordered by the presiding officer, if the
witness is not required to provide a written report under paragraph
(d)(2) of this section, the disclosure must state:
(i) The subject matter on which the witness is expected to present
evidence as an expert; and
(ii) Summary of the facts and opinions to which the witness is
expected to testify.
(4) Time to disclose expert testimony. The time for disclosure of
expert
[[Page 61530]]
testimony must be addressed by the parties when they confer as provided
in paragraph (h) of this section and, if applicable, must be included
in the proposed discovery schedule submitted to the presiding officer.
(e) Scope of discovery and limits. (1) Unless otherwise limited by
the presiding officer, or as otherwise provided in this subpart, the
scope of discovery is as follows: Parties may obtain discovery
regarding any nonprivileged matter that is relevant to any party's
claim or defense--including the existence, description, nature,
custody, condition, and location of any documents or other tangible
things and the identity and location of persons who know of any
discoverable matter. For good cause, the presiding officer may order
discovery of any matter relevant to the subject matter involved in the
action. Relevant information need not be admissible at hearing if the
discovery appears reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of
admissible evidence.
(2) Limitations on frequency and extent. (i) Specific limitations
on electronically stored information. A party need not provide
discovery of electronically stored information from sources that the
party identifies as not reasonably accessible because of undue burden
or cost. On motion to compel discovery or for a protective order, the
party from whom discovery is sought must show that the information is
not reasonably accessible because of undue burden or cost. If that
showing is made, the presiding officer may nonetheless order discovery
from such sources if the requesting party shows good cause. The
presiding officer may specify conditions for the discovery.
(ii) When required. On motion or on its own, the presiding officer
may limit the frequency or extent of discovery otherwise allowed by
these rules if the presiding officer determines that:
(A) The discovery sought is unreasonably cumulative or duplicative,
or can be obtained from some other source that is more convenient, less
burdensome, or less expensive;
(B) The party seeking discovery has had ample opportunity to obtain
the information by discovery in the action; or
(C) The burden or expense of the proposed discovery outweighs its
likely benefit, considering the needs of the proceeding, the amount in
controversy, the parties' resources, the importance of the issues at
stake in the action, and the importance of the discovery in resolving
the issues.
(f) Scope of discovery and limits--experts. (1) A party may depose
any person who has been identified as an expert whose opinions may be
presented in a proceeding. If a report is required of the witness, the
deposition may be conducted only after the report is provided.
(2) Drafts of any report or disclosure required by these rules are
not discoverable regardless of the form in which the draft is recorded.
(3) Communications between the party's attorney and any expert
witness required to provide a report are not discoverable regardless of
the form of communications, except to the extent that the
communications relate to compensation for the expert's study or
testimony; identify facts or data that the party's attorney provided
and that the expert considered in forming the opinions to be expressed;
or identify assumptions that the party's attorney provided and that the
expert relied on in forming the opinions to be expressed.
(4) A party may not by interrogatories or deposition discover facts
known or opinions held by an expert who has been retained or specially
employed by another party in anticipation of litigation or to prepare
for a proceeding and who is not expected to be presented as a witness;
provided, however, that the presiding officer may permit such discovery
and may impose such conditions as deemed appropriate upon a showing of
exceptional circumstances under which it is impracticable for the party
to obtain facts or opinions on the same subject by other means.
(g) Completion of discovery. Discovery must be completed within 150
days of the service of a respondent's answer to the complaint or Order
of Investigation and Hearing.
(h) Duty of the parties to confer. In all proceedings in which the
procedures of this subpart are used, it is the duty of the parties to
confer within 14 days after receipt of a respondent's answer to a
complaint or Order of Investigation and Hearing in order to: establish
a schedule for the completion of discovery, including disclosures and
discovery related to experts, within the 120-day period prescribed in
paragraph (g) of this section; resolve to the fullest extent possible
disputes relating to discovery matters; and expedite, limit, or
eliminate discovery by use of admissions, stipulations and other
techniques. The parties must submit the schedule to the presiding
officer not later than 5 days after the conference. Nothing in this
rule should be construed to preclude the parties from conducting
discovery and conferring at an earlier date.
(i)(1) Conferences by order of the presiding officer. The presiding
officer may at any time order the parties or their attorneys to
participate in a conference at which the presiding officer may direct
the proper use of the procedures of this subpart or make such orders as
may be necessary to resolve disputes with respect to discovery and to
prevent delay or undue inconvenience.
(2) Resolution of disputes. After making every reasonable effort to
resolve discovery disputes, a party may request a conference or rulings
from the presiding officer on such disputes. If necessary to prevent
undue delay or otherwise facilitate conclusion of the proceeding, the
presiding officer may order a hearing to commence before the completion
of discovery.
(j) Protective orders. (1) In general. A party or any person from
whom discovery is sought may move for a protective order. The motion
must include a certification that the movant has in good faith
conferred or attempted to confer with other affected parties in an
effort to resolve the dispute without Commission or presiding officer
action. The Commission or presiding officer may, for good cause, issue
an order to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment,
oppression, or undue burden or expense, including one or more of the
following:
(i) Forbidding the disclosure or discovery;
(ii) Specifying terms, including time and place, for the disclosure
or discovery;
(iii) Prescribing a discovery method other than the one selected by
the party seeking discovery;
(iv) Forbidding inquiry into certain matters, or limiting the scope
of disclosure or discovery to certain matters;
(v) Designating the persons who may be present while the discovery
is conducted;
(vi) Requiring that a deposition be sealed and opened only on
Commission or presiding officer order;
(vii) Requiring that a trade secret or other confidential research,
development, or commercial information not be disclosed or be disclosed
only in a specified way; or
(viii) Requiring that the parties simultaneously file specified
documents or information in sealed envelopes, to be opened as the
Commission or presiding officer directs.
(2) Ordering discovery. If a motion for a protective order is
denied in whole or in part, the Commission or presiding officer may, on
just terms, order that any party or person provide or permit discovery.
(k) Supplementing responses. A party who has made a disclosure
under
[[Page 61531]]
paragraph (b) or (d) of this section, or who has responded to an
interrogatory, request for production, or request for admission, must
supplement or correct its disclosure or response:
(1) In a timely manner if the party learns that in some material
respect the disclosure or response is incomplete or incorrect, and if
the additional or corrective information has not otherwise been made
known to the other parties during the discovery process or in written
communication; or
(2) As ordered by the presiding officer.
(l) Stipulations. Unless the presiding officer orders otherwise,
the parties may stipulate that other procedures governing or limiting
discovery be modified, but a stipulation extending the time for any
form of discovery must have presiding officer's approval if it would
interfere with the time set for completing discovery, for adjudicating
a motion, or for hearing. [Rule 201.]
Sec. 502.202 Persons before whom depositions may be taken.
(a) Within the United States. (1) In general. Within the United
States or a territory or insular possession subject to United States
jurisdiction, a deposition must be taken before:
(i) An officer authorized to administer oaths either by federal law
or by the law in the place of examination; or
(ii) A person appointed by the Commission or the presiding officer
to administer oaths and take testimony.
(b) In a foreign country. (1) In general. A deposition may be taken
in a foreign country:
(i) Under an applicable treaty or convention;
(ii) under a letter of request, whether or not captioned a ``letter
rogatory'';
(iii) On notice, before a person authorized to administer oaths
either by federal law or by the law in the place of examination; or
(iv) Before a person authorized by the Commission or the presiding
officer to administer any necessary oath and take testimony.
(2) Issuing a letter of request or an authorization. A letter of
request, an authorization, or both may be issued:
(i) On appropriate terms after an application and notice of it; and
(ii) Without a showing that taking the deposition in another manner
is impracticable or inconvenient.
(3) Form of a request, notice, or authorization. When a letter of
request or any other device is used according to a treaty or
convention, it must be captioned in the form prescribed by that treaty
or convention. A letter of request may be addressed ``To the
Appropriate Authority in [name of country].'' A deposition notice or an
authorization must designate by name or descriptive title the person
before whom the deposition is to be taken.
(4) Letter of request--admitting evidence. Evidence obtained in
response to a letter of request need not be excluded merely because it
is not a verbatim transcript, because the testimony was not taken under
oath, or because of any similar departure from the requirements for
depositions taken within the United States.
(c) Disqualification. A deposition must not be taken before a
person who is any party's relative, employee, or attorney; who is
related to or employed by any party's attorney; or who is financially
interested in the action. [Rule 202.]
Sec. 502.203 Depositions by oral examination.
(a) When a deposition may be taken. (1) Without leave. A party may,
by oral questions, depose any person, including a party, without leave
of the presiding officer except as provided in Sec. 502.203(a)(2). The
deponent's attendance may be compelled by subpoena under subpart I of
this part.
(2) With leave. A party must obtain leave of the presiding officer,
if the parties have not stipulated to the deposition and:
(i) The deposition would result in more than 20 depositions being
taken under this rule or Sec. 502.204 by any party; or
(ii) The deponent has already been deposed in the case.
(b) Notice of the deposition; other formal requirements. (1) Notice
in general. A party who wants to depose a person by oral questions must
give reasonable written notice to every other party. The notice must
state the time and place of the deposition and, if known, the
deponent's name and address. If the name is unknown, the notice must
provide a general description sufficient to identify the person or the
particular class or group to which the person belongs.
(2) Producing documents. If a subpoena duces tecum is to be served
on the deponent, the materials designated for production, as set out in
the subpoena, must be listed in the notice or in an attachment. The
notice to a party deponent may be accompanied by a request under Sec.
502.206 to produce documents and tangible things at the deposition.
(3) Method of recording. (i) Method stated in the notice. The party
who notices the deposition must state in the notice the method for
recording the testimony. Unless the presiding officer orders otherwise,
testimony may be recorded by audio, audiovisual, or stenographic means.
The noticing party bears the recording costs. Any party may arrange to
transcribe a deposition.
(ii) Additional method. With prior notice to the deponent and other
parties, any party may designate another method for recording the
testimony in addition to that specified in the original notice. That
party bears the expense of the additional record or transcript unless
the presiding officer orders otherwise.
(4) By remote means. The parties may stipulate, or the presiding
officer may on motion order, that a deposition be taken by telephone or
other remote means.
(5) Officer's duties. (i) Before the deposition. Unless the parties
stipulate otherwise, a deposition must be conducted before an officer
appointed or designated under Sec. 502.202. The officer must begin the
deposition with an on-the-record statement that includes:
(A) The officer's name and business address;
(B) The date, time, and place of the deposition;
(C) The deponent's name;
(D) The officer's administration of the oath or affirmation to the
deponent; and
(E) The identity of all persons present.
(ii) Conducting the deposition; avoiding distortion. If the
deposition is recorded nonstenographically, the officer must repeat the
items in Sec. 502.203(b)(5)(i)(A) through (C) at the beginning of each
unit of the recording medium. The deponent's and attorneys' appearance
or demeanor must not be distorted through recording techniques.
(iii) After the deposition. At the end of a deposition, the officer
must state on the record that the deposition is complete and must set
out any stipulations made by the attorneys about custody of the
transcript or recording and of the exhibits, or about any other
pertinent matters.
(6) Notice or subpoena directed to an organization. In its notice
or subpoena, a party may name as the deponent a public or private
corporation, a partnership, an association, a governmental agency, or
other entity and must describe with reasonable particularity the
matters for examination. The named organization must then designate one
or more officers, directors, or managing representatives, or designate
other persons who consent to testify on its behalf; and it may set out
the matters on which each person designated will testify. A subpoena
must advise a nonparty organization of its duty to
[[Page 61532]]
make this designation. The persons designated must testify about
information known or reasonably available to the organization. This
paragraph (6) does not preclude a deposition by any other procedure
allowed by these rules.
(c) Examination and cross-examination; record of the examination;
objections; written questions. (1) Examination and cross-examination.
The examination and cross-examination of a deponent proceed as they
would at hearing under the provisions of Sec. 502.154. After putting
the deponent under oath or affirmation, the officer must record the
testimony by the method designated under Sec. 502.203(b)(3). The
testimony must be recorded by the officer personally or by a person
acting in the presence and under the direction of the officer.
(2) Objections. An objection at the time of the examination,
whether to evidence, to a party's conduct, to the officer's
qualifications, to the manner of taking the deposition, or to any other
aspect of the deposition, must be noted on the record, but the
examination still proceeds; the testimony is taken subject to any
objection. An objection must be stated concisely in a nonargumentative
and nonsuggestive manner. A person may instruct a deponent not to
answer only when necessary to preserve a privilege, to enforce a
limitation ordered by the presiding officer, or to present a motion
under Sec. 502.203(d)(2).
(3) Participating through written questions. Instead of
participating in the oral examination, a party may serve written
questions in a sealed envelope on the party noticing the deposition,
who must deliver them to the officer. The officer must ask the deponent
those questions and record the answers verbatim.
(d) Duration; sanction; motion to terminate or limit. (1) Duration.
Unless otherwise stipulated or ordered by the presiding officer, a
deposition is limited to 1 day of 7 hours. The presiding officer must
allow additional time consistent with Sec. 502.201(e)(2) if needed to
fairly examine the deponent or if the deponent, another person, or any
other circumstance impedes or delays the examination.
(2) Motion to terminate or limit. (i) Grounds. At any time during a
deposition, the deponent or a party may move to terminate or limit it
on the ground that it is being conducted in bad faith or in a manner
that unreasonably annoys, embarrasses, or oppresses the deponent or
party. The motion may be filed with the presiding officer. If the
objecting deponent or party so demands, the deposition must be
suspended for the time necessary to obtain an order.
(ii) Order. The presiding officer may order that the deposition be
terminated or may limit its scope and manner as provided in Sec.
502.201(j). If terminated, the deposition may be resumed only by order
of the Commission or presiding officer.
(e) Review by the witness; changes. (1) Review; statement of
changes. On request by the deponent or a party before the deposition is
completed, the deponent must be allowed 15 days after being notified by
the officer that the transcript or recording is available in which:
(i) To review the transcript or recording; and
(ii) If there are changes in form or substance, to sign a statement
listing the changes and the reasons for making them.
(2) Changes indicated in the officer's certificate. The officer
must note in the certificate prescribed by Sec. 502.203(f)(1) whether
a review was requested and, if so, must attach any changes the deponent
makes during the 15-day period.
(f) Certification and delivery; exhibits; copies of the transcript
or recording. (1) Certification and delivery. The officer must certify
in writing that the witness was duly sworn and that the deposition,
transcript or recording accurately records the witness's testimony. The
certificate must accompany the record of the deposition. Unless the
presiding officer orders otherwise, the officer must seal the
deposition in an envelope or package bearing the title of the action
and marked ``Deposition of [witness's name]'' and must promptly send it
to the attorney who arranged for the transcript or recording. The
attorney must store it under conditions that will protect it against
loss, destruction, tampering, or deterioration.
(2) Documents and tangible things. (i) Originals and copies.
Documents and tangible things produced for inspection during a
deposition must, on a party's request, be marked for identification and
attached to the deposition. Any party may inspect and copy them. But if
the person who produced them wants to keep the originals, the person
may:
(A) Offer copies to be marked, attached to the deposition, and then
used as originals, after giving all parties a fair opportunity to
verify the copies by comparing them with the originals; or
(B) Give all parties a fair opportunity to inspect and copy the
originals after they are marked, in which event the originals may be
used as if attached to the deposition.
(ii) Order regarding the originals. Any party may move for an order
that the originals be attached to the deposition pending final
disposition of the case.
(3) Copies of the transcript or recording. Unless otherwise
stipulated or ordered by the presiding officer, the officer must retain
the stenographic notes of a deposition taken stenographically or a copy
of the recording of a deposition taken by another method. When paid
reasonable charges, the officer must furnish a copy of the transcript
or recording to any party or the deponent. [Rule 203.]
Sec. 502.204 Depositions by written questions.
(a) When a deposition may be taken. (1) Without leave. A party may,
by written questions, depose any person, including a party, without
leave of the presiding officer except as provided in paragraph (a)(2)
of this section. The deponent's attendance may be compelled by subpoena
under subpart I of this part.
(2) With leave. A party must obtain leave of the presiding officer,
if the parties have not stipulated to the deposition and:
(i) The deposition would result in more than 20 depositions being
taken under this rule or Sec. 502.203 by any party;
(ii) The deponent has already been deposed in the case.
(3) Service; required notice. A party who wants to depose a person
by written questions must serve them on every other party, with a
notice stating, if known, the deponent's name and address. If the name
is unknown, the notice must provide a general description sufficient to
identify the person or the particular class or group to which the
person belongs. The notice must also state the name or descriptive
title and the address of the officer before whom the deposition will be
taken.
(4) Questions directed to an organization. A public or private
corporation, a partnership, an association, or a governmental agency
may be deposed by written questions in accordance with Sec.
502.203(b)(6).
(5) Questions from other parties. Any questions to the deponent
from other parties must be served on all parties as follows: Cross-
questions, within 14 days after being served with the notice and direct
questions; redirect questions, within 7 days after being served with
cross-questions; and recross-questions, within 7 days after being
served with redirect questions. The presiding officer may, for good
cause, extend or shorten these times.
[[Page 61533]]
(b) Delivery to the officer; officer's duties. The party who
noticed the deposition must deliver to the officer before whom the
deposition will be taken a copy of all the questions served and of the
notice. The officer must promptly proceed to:
(1) Take the deponent's testimony in response to the questions;
(2) Prepare and certify the deposition; and
(3) Send it to the party, attaching a copy of the questions and of
the notice.
(c) Notice of completion or filing. (1) Completion. The party who
noticed the deposition must notify all other parties when it is
completed.
(2) Filing. A party who files the deposition must promptly notify
all other parties of the filing. [Rule 204.]
Sec. 502.205 Interrogatories to parties.
(a) In general. (1) Number. Unless otherwise stipulated or ordered
by the presiding officer, a party may serve on any other party no more
than 50 written interrogatories, including all discrete subparts. Leave
to serve additional interrogatories may be granted to the extent
consistent with Sec. 502.201(e)(2).
(2) Scope. An interrogatory may relate to any matter that may be
inquired into under Sec. 502.201(e) and (f). An interrogatory is not
objectionable merely because it asks for an opinion or contention that
relates to fact or the application of law to fact, but the presiding
officer may order that the interrogatory need not be answered until
designated discovery is complete, or until a prehearing conference or
some other time.
(b) Answers and objections. (1) Responding party. The
interrogatories must be answered:
(i) By the party to whom they are directed; or
(ii) If that party is a public or private corporation, a
partnership, an association, or a governmental agency, by any officer
or representative, who must furnish the information available to the
party.
(2) Time to respond. The responding party must serve its answers
and any objections within 30 days after being served with the
interrogatories. A shorter or longer time may be stipulated to as
provided in Sec. 502.201(l) of this subpart or be ordered by the
presiding officer.
(3) Answering each interrogatory. Each interrogatory must, to the
extent it is not objected to, be answered separately and fully in
writing under oath.
(4) Objections. The grounds for objecting to an interrogatory must
be stated with specificity. Any ground not stated in a timely objection
is waived unless the presiding officer, for good cause, excuses the
failure.
(5) Signature. The person who makes the answers must sign them, and
the attorney who objects must sign any objections.
(c) Use. An answer to an interrogatory may be used to the extent
allowed by the rules in this part.
(d) Option to produce business records. If the answer to an
interrogatory may be determined by examining, auditing, compiling,
abstracting, or summarizing a party's business records (including
electronically stored information), and if the burden of deriving or
ascertaining the answer will be substantially the same for either
party, the responding party may answer by:
(1) Specifying the records that must be reviewed, in sufficient
detail to enable the interrogating party to locate and identify them as
readily as the responding party could; and
(2) Giving the interrogating party a reasonable opportunity to
examine and audit the records and to make copies, compilations,
abstracts, or summaries. [Rule 205.]
Sec. 502.206 Producing documents, electronically stored information,
and tangible things, or entering onto land, for inspection and other
purposes.
(a) In general. A party may serve on any other party a request
within the scope of Sec. 502.201(e) and (f):
(1) To produce and permit the requesting party or its
representative to inspect, copy, test, or sample the following items in
the responding party's possession, custody, or control:
(i) Any designated documents or electronically stored information,
including writings, drawings, graphs, charts, photographs, sound
recordings, images, and other data or data compilations, stored in any
medium from which information can be obtained either directly or, if
necessary, after translation by the responding party into a reasonably
usable form; or
(ii) Any designated tangible things; or
(2) To permit entry onto designated land or other property
possessed or controlled by the responding party, so that the requesting
party may inspect, measure, survey, photograph, test, or sample the
property or any designated object or operation on it.
(b) Procedure. (1) Contents of the request. The request:
(i) Must describe with reasonable particularity each item or
category of items to be inspected;
(ii) Must specify a reasonable time, place, and manner for the
inspection and for performing the related acts; and
(iii) May specify the form or forms in which electronically stored
information is to be produced.
(2) Responses and objections. (i) Time to respond. The party to
whom the request is directed must respond in writing within 30 days
after being served. A shorter or longer time may be stipulated to as
provided in Sec. 502.201(l) of this subpart or be ordered by the
presiding officer.
(ii) Responding to each item. For each item or category, the
response must either state that inspection and related activities will
be permitted as requested or state an objection to the request,
including the reasons.
(iii) Objections. An objection to part of a request must specify
the part and permit inspection of the rest.
(iv) Responding to a request for production of electronically
stored information. The response may state an objection to a requested
form for producing electronically stored information. If the responding
party objects to a requested form, or if no form was specified in the
request, the party must state the form or forms it intends to use.
(v) Producing the documents or electronically stored information.
Unless otherwise stipulated or ordered by the presiding officer, these
procedures apply to producing documents or electronically stored
information:
(A) A party must produce documents as they are kept in the usual
course of business or must organize and label them to correspond to the
categories in the request;
(B) If a request does not specify a form for producing
electronically stored information, a party must produce it in a form or
forms in which it is ordinarily maintained or in a reasonably usable
form or forms; and
(C) A party need not produce the same electronically stored
information in more than one form.
(c) Nonparties. By subpoena under subpart I of this part, a
nonparty may be compelled to produce documents and tangible things or
to permit an inspection. [Rule 206.]
Sec. 502.207 Requests for admission.
(a) Scope and procedure. (1) Scope. A party may serve on any other
party a written request to admit, for the purposes of the pending
action only, the truth of any nonprivileged relevant matters relating
to facts, the application of law to fact, or opinions about either, and
the genuineness of any described documents.
(2) Form; copies of documents. Each matter must be separately
stated. A
[[Page 61534]]
request to admit the genuineness of a document must be accompanied by a
copy of the document unless it is, or has been, otherwise furnished or
made available for inspection and copying.
(3) Time to respond; effect of failure to respond. A matter is
admitted unless, within 30 days after being served, the party to whom
the request is directed serves on the requesting party a written answer
or objection addressed to the matter and signed by the party or its
attorney. A shorter or longer time for responding may be stipulated to
as provided in Sec. 502.201(l) of this subpart or be ordered by the
presiding officer.
(4) Answer. If a matter is not admitted, the answer must
specifically deny it or state in detail why the answering party cannot
truthfully admit or deny it. A denial must fairly respond to the
substance of the matter; and when good faith requires that a party
qualify an answer or deny only a part of a matter, the answer must
specify the part admitted and qualify or deny the rest. The answering
party may assert lack of knowledge or information as a reason for
failing to admit or deny only if the party states that it has made
reasonable inquiry and that the information it knows or can readily
obtain is insufficient to enable it to admit or deny.
(5) Objections. The grounds for objecting to a request must be
stated. A party may not object solely on the ground that the request
presents a genuine issue for adjudication.
(6) Motion regarding the sufficiency of an answer or objection. The
requesting party may move for a determination of the sufficiency of an
answer or objection. Unless the presiding officer finds an objection
justified, the presiding officer must order that an answer be served.
On finding that an answer does not comply with this rule, the presiding
officer may order either that the matter is admitted or that an amended
answer be served. The presiding officer may defer a decision until a
prehearing conference or a specified time prior to hearing.
(b) Effect of admission; withdrawal or amendment of admission. A
matter admitted under this rule is conclusively established unless the
presiding officer, on motion, permits the admission to be withdrawn or
amended. The presiding officer may permit withdrawal or amendment if it
would promote the presentation of the merits of the action and if the
presiding officer is not persuaded that it would prejudice the
requesting party in maintaining or defending the action on the merits.
An admission under this rule is not an admission for any other purpose
and cannot be used against the party in any other proceeding. [Rule
207.]
Sec. 502.208 Use of discovery procedures directed to Commission staff
personnel.
(a) Discovery procedures described in Sec. Sec. 502.202 through
502.207, directed to Commission staff personnel must be permitted and
must be governed by the procedures set forth in those sections except
as modified by paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section. All notices to
take depositions, written interrogatories, requests for production of
documents and other things, requests for admissions, and any motions in
connection with the foregoing, must be served on the Secretary of the
Commission.
(b) The General Counsel must designate an attorney to represent any
Commission staff personnel to whom any discovery requests or motions
are directed. The attorney so designated must not thereafter
participate in the Commission's decision-making process concerning any
issue in the proceeding.
(c) Rulings of the presiding officer issued under paragraph (a) of
this section must become final rulings of the Commission unless an
appeal is filed within 10 days after date of issuance of such rulings
or unless the Commission on its own motion reverses, modifies, or stays
such rulings within 20 days of their issuance. Replies to appeals may
be filed within 10 days. No motion for leave to appeal is necessary in
such instances and no ruling of the presiding officer must be effective
until 20 days from date of issuance unless the Commission otherwise
directs. [Rule 208.]
Sec. 502.209 Use of depositions at hearings.
(a) Using depositions. (1) In general. At a hearing, all or part of
a deposition may be used against a party on these conditions:
(i) The party was present or represented at the taking of the
deposition or had reasonable notice of it;
(ii) It is used to the extent it would be admissible if the
deponent were present and testifying; and
(iii) The use is allowed by Sec. 502.209(a)(2) through (7).
(2) Impeachment and other uses. Any party may use a deposition to
contradict or impeach the testimony given by the deponent as a witness,
or for any other purpose allowed by Sec. 502.156 of subpart J of this
part.
(3) Deposition of party, representative, or designee. An adverse
party may use for any purpose the deposition of a party or anyone who,
when deposed, was the party's officer, director, managing
representative, or designee under Sec. 502.203(b)(6) or Sec.
502.204(a)(4).
(4) Unavailable witness. A party may use for any purpose the
deposition of a witness, whether or not a party, if the Commission or
presiding officer finds:
(i) That the witness is dead;
(ii) That the witness cannot attend or testify because of age,
illness, infirmity, or imprisonment;
(iii) That the party offering the deposition could not procure the
witness's attendance by subpoena; or
(iv) On motion and notice, that exceptional circumstances make it
desirable, in the interest of justice and with due regard to the
importance of live testimony at a hearing, to permit the deposition to
be used.
(5) Using part of a deposition. If a party offers in evidence only
part of a deposition, an adverse party may require the offeror to
introduce other parts that in fairness should be considered with the
part introduced, and any party may itself introduce any other parts.
(6) Substituting a party. Substituting a party does not affect the
right to use a deposition previously taken.
(7) Deposition taken in an earlier action. A deposition lawfully
taken and, if required, filed in any Federal or State court action may
be used in a later action involving the same subject matter between the
same parties, or their representatives or successors in interest, to
the same extent as if taken in the later action. A deposition
previously taken may also be used as allowed by Sec. 502.156 of
subpart J of this part.
(b) Objections to admissibility. Subject to Sec. 502.202(b) and
Sec. 502.209(d)(3), an objection may be made at a hearing to the
admission of any deposition testimony that would be inadmissible if the
witness were present and testifying.
(c) Form of presentation. Unless the presiding officer orders
otherwise, a party must provide a transcript of any deposition
testimony the party offers, but may provide the presiding officer with
the testimony in nontranscript form as well.
(d) Waiver of objections. (1) To the notice. An objection to an
error or irregularity in a deposition notice is waived unless promptly
served in writing on the party giving the notice.
(2) To the officer's qualification. An objection based on
qualification of the officer before whom a deposition is to be taken is
waived if not made:
(i) Before the deposition begins; or
(ii) Promptly after the basis for disqualification becomes known
or, with reasonable diligence, could have been known.
[[Page 61535]]
(3) To the taking of the deposition. (i) Objection to competence,
relevance, or materiality. An objection to a deponent's competence, or
to the competence, relevance, or materiality of testimony, is not
waived by a failure to make the objection before or during the
deposition, unless the ground for it might have been corrected at that
time.
(ii) Objection to an error or irregularity. An objection to an
error or irregularity at an oral examination is waived if:
(A) It relates to the manner of taking the deposition, the form of
a question or answer, the oath or affirmation, a party's conduct, or
other matters that might have been corrected at that time; and
(B) It is not timely made during the deposition.
(iii) Objection to a written question. An objection to the form of
a written question under Sec. 502.204 of this subpart is waived if not
served in writing on the party submitting the question within the time
for serving responsive questions or, if the question is a recross-
question, within 7 days after being served with it.
(4) To completing and returning the deposition. An objection to how
the officer transcribed the testimony, or prepared, signed, certified,
sealed, endorsed, sent, or otherwise dealt with the deposition, is
waived unless a motion to suppress is made promptly after the error or
irregularity becomes known or, with reasonable diligence, could have
been known. [Rule 209.]
Sec. 502.210 Motions to compel initial disclosures or compliance with
discovery requests; failure to comply with order to make disclosure or
answer or produce documents; sanctions; enforcement.
(a) Motion for order to compel initial disclosures or compliance
with discovery requests. (1) A party may file a motion pursuant to
Sec. 502.69 for an order compelling compliance with the requirement
for initial disclosures provided in Sec. 502.201 or with its discovery
requests as provided in this subpart, if a deponent fails to answer a
question asked at a deposition or by written questions; a corporation
or other entity fails to make a designation of an individual who will
testify on its behalf; a party fails to answer an interrogatory; or a
party fails to respond that inspection will be permitted, or fails to
permit inspection, as requested under Sec. 502.206 of this subpart.
For purposes of this section, a failure to make a disclosure, answer,
or respond includes an evasive or incomplete disclosure, answer, or
response.
(2) A motion to compel must include:
(i) A certification that the moving party has conferred in good
faith or attempted to confer with the party failing to make initial
disclosure or respond to discovery requests as provided in this subpart
in an effort to obtain compliance without the necessity of a motion;
(ii) A copy of the discovery requests that have not been answered
or for which evasive or incomplete responses have been given. If the
motion is limited to specific discovery requests, only those requests
are to be included;
(iii) If a disclosure has been made or an answer or response has
been given, a copy of the disclosure, answer, or response in its
entirety;
(iv) A copy of the certificate of service that accompanied the
discovery request; and
(v) A request for relief and supporting argument, if any.
(3) A party may file a response to the motion within 7 days of the
service date of the motion. Unless there is a dispute with respect to
the accuracy of the versions of the discovery requests, responses
thereto, or the disclosures submitted by the moving party, the response
must not include duplicative copies of them.
(4) A reply to a response is not allowed unless requested by the
presiding officer, or upon a showing of extraordinary circumstances.
(b) Failure to comply with order compelling disclosures or
discovery. If a party or a party's officer or authorized representative
fails or refuses to obey an order requiring it to make disclosures or
to respond to discovery requests, the presiding officer upon his or her
own initiative or upon motion of a party may make such orders in regard
to the failure or refusal as are just. A motion must include a
certification that the moving party has conferred in good faith or
attempted to confer with the disobedient party in an effort to obtain
compliance without the necessity of a motion. An order of the presiding
officer may:
(1) Direct that the matters included in the order or any other
designated facts must be taken to be established for the purposes of
the action as the party making the motion claims;
(2) Prohibit the disobedient party from supporting or opposing
designated claims or defenses, or from introducing designated matters
in evidence; or
(3) Strike pleadings in whole or in part; staying further
proceedings until the order is obeyed; or dismissing the action or
proceeding or any party thereto, or rendering a decision by default
against the disobedient party.
(c) Enforcement of orders and subpoenas. In the event of refusal to
obey an order or failure to comply with a subpoena, the Attorney
General at the request of the Commission, or any party injured thereby
may seek enforcement by a United States district court having
jurisdiction over the parties. Any action with respect to enforcement
of subpoenas or orders relating to depositions, written
interrogatories, or other discovery matters must be taken within 20
days of the date of refusal to obey or failure to comply. A private
party must advise the Commission 5 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays
and legal holidays) before applying to the court of its intent to seek
enforcement of such subpoenas and discovery orders.
(d) Persons and documents located in a foreign country. Orders of
the presiding officer directed to persons or documents located in a
foreign country must become final orders of the Commission unless an
appeal to the Commission is filed within 10 days after date of issuance
of such orders or unless the Commission on its own motion reverses,
modifies, or stays such rulings within 20 days of their issuance.
Replies to appeals may be filed within 10 days. No motion for leave to
appeal is necessary in such instances and no orders of the presiding
officer must be effective until 20 days from date of issuance unless
the Commission otherwise directs. [Rule 210.]
By the Commission.
Karen V. Gregory,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-24388 Filed 10-9-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6730-01-P