RULES RELATING TO REPARATIONS

• Citation: 17 CFR Part 12
• Sections: 75

§ 12.1 Scope and applicability of rules of practice relating to reparations.

(a) Part 12 Reparation Rules. These rules of practice are applicable to reparation applications filed pursuant to section 14 of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, 7 U.S.C. section 18. The rules in this part shall be construed liberally so as to secure the just, speedy and inexpensive determination of the issues presented with full protection for the rights of all parties.

(b) Other rules of practice. Unless specifically made applicable, other Rules of Practice promulgated under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, shall not apply to reparation matters.

(c) Applicability of these part 12 Reparation Rules. These rules shall apply in their entirety to all reparation complaints and matters relating thereto.

§ 12.2 Definitions.

For purposes of this part:

Act means the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 1, et seq.

Administrative Judge means an employee of the Commission who is authorized to conduct all reparations proceedings. In appropriate circumstances, the functions of an Administrative Judge may be performed by an Administrative Law Judge.

Administrative Law Judge means an administrative law judge appointed pursuant to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 3105.

Commission means the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

Commission decisional employee means an employee or employees of the Commission who are or may reasonably be expected to be involved in the decisionmaking process in any proceeding, including, but not limited to: An Administrative Judge; members of the personal staffs of the Commissioners, but not the Commissioners themselves; members of the staffs of the Administrative Law Judges, but not an Administrative Law Judge; members of the staffs of the Administrative Judges; members of the Office of the General Counsel; members of the staff of the Office of Proceedings; and other Commission employees who may be assigned to hear or to participate in the decision of a particular matter.

Complainant means a person who, individually or jointly with others, has applied to the Commission for a reparation award pursuant to section 14(a) of the Act, but shall not include a cross claimant or any other type of third-party claimant. The term “complainant” under this part applies equally to two or more persons who have applied jointly for a reparation award.

Complaint means any document which constitutes an application for a reparation award pursuant to section 14(a) of the Act, regardless of whether it is denominated as such.

Counterclaim means an application for a reparation award by a respondent against a complainant which satisfies the requirements of § 12.19. A counterclaim does not mean a cross claim or other type of third party claim.

Director of the Office of Proceedings means an employee of the Commission who serves as the administrative head of that Office, with responsibility and authority to assure that the rules in this part are administered in a manner which will effectuate the purposes of section 14(b) of the Act. The Director is authorized to convene meetings of all personnel in the Office of Proceedings, including Administrative Judges, Administrative Law Judges, and the Judges' personally assigned law clerks. The Director shall have the authority to delegate their duties to administer §§ 12.15, 12.24, 12.26, and 12.27, and, shall have the authority to assign and, if necessary, reassign the duties of, and set reasonable standards for performance for, all personnel in the Office, including the Administrative Judges, but not including Administrative Law Judges and their personally assigned law clerks.

Ex parte communication means an oral or written communication not on the public record with respect to which reasonable prior notice to all parties is not given, but does not include:

(1) A discussion, after consent has been obtained from all of the named parties, between a party and an Administrative Judge or Administrative Law Judge, or the staffs of the foregoing, pertaining solely to the possibility of settling the case without the need for a decision;

(2) Requests for status reports, including questions relating to service of the complaint, and the registration status of any persons, on any matter or proceeding covered by this part; or

(3) Requests made to the Office of Proceedings or the Office of the General Counsel for interpretation of this part.

Formal decisional procedure means, where the amount of total damages claimed exceeds $30,000, exclusive of interest and costs, a procedure elected by the complainant or a respondent where the parties may be granted an oral hearing. A formal decisional proceeding is governed by subpart E of this part.

Hearing means that part of a proceeding which involves the submission of proof, either by oral presentation or written submission.

Interested person means any party, and includes any person or agency permitted limited participation or to state views in a reparation proceeding, or other person who might be adversely affected or aggrieved by the outcome of a proceeding (including the officers, agents, employees, associates, affiliates, attorneys, accountants or other representatives of such persons), and any other person having a direct or indirect pecuniary or other interest in the outcome of a proceeding.

Office of the General Counsel refers to the members of the Commission's staff who provide assistance to the Commission in its direct review of any proceeding conducted pursuant to this part.

Office of Proceedings means that Office within the Commission comprised of the Administrative Law Judges, Administrative Judges, the Director of that Office, the Proceedings Clerk, and members of the staffs of the foregoing, which administers the rules in this part, other than the rules in this part authorizing direct review by the Commission.

Order means the whole or any part of a final procedural or substantive disposition of a reparation proceeding by the Commission, an Administrative Law Judge, an Administrative Judge, or the Proceedings Clerk.

Party means a complainant, respondent or any other person or agency named or admitted as a party in a reparation matter.

Person means any individual, association, partnership, corporation or trust.

Pleading means the complaint, the answer to the complaint, any supplement or amendment thereto, and any reply to the foregoing.

Proceeding means a case in which the pleadings have been forwarded and in which a procedure has been commenced pursuant to § 12.26.

Proceedings Clerk means any member of the Commission's staff designated as such by the Director of the Office of Proceedings;

Punitive damages means damages awarded (no more than two times the amount of actual damages) in the case of any action arising from a willful and intentional violation in the execution of an order on the floor of a contract market. An order does not have to be actually executed to render a violation subject to punitive damages. As a prerequisite to an award of punitive damages, a complainant must claim actual and punitive damages, prove actual damages, and demonstrate that punitive damages are appropriate.

Registrant means any person who—

(1) Was registered under the Act at the time of the alleged violation;

(2) Is subject to reparation proceedings by virtue of section 4m of the Commodity Exchange Act, regardless of whether such person was ever registered under the Act; or

(3) Is otherwise subject to reparation proceedings under the Act.

Reparation award means the amount of monetary damages a party may be ordered to pay.

Respondent means any person or persons against whom a complainant seeks a reparation award pursuant to section 14(a) of the Act.

Summary decisional procedure means, where the amount of total damages claimed does not exceed $30,000, exclusive of interest and costs, a procedure elected by the complainant or the respondent wherein an oral hearing need not be held and proof in support of each party's case may be supplied in the form and manner prescribed by § 12.208. A summary decisional proceeding is governed by subpart D of this part.

Voluntary decisional procedure means, regardless of the amount of damages claimed, a procedure which the complainant and the respondent have chosen voluntarily to submit their claims and counterclaims, allowable under this part, for an expeditious resolution by an Administrative Judge. By electing the voluntary decisional procedure, parties agree that a decision issued by an Administrative Judge shall be without accompanying findings of fact and shall be final without right of Commission review or judicial review. A voluntary decisional proceeding is governed by subpart C of this part.

§ 12.3 Business address; hours.

The Office of Proceedings is located at the Commission's Washington, DC headquarters. Faxes must be sent to [phone], and emails must be sent to [email protected]. The office is open from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday except on federal holidays.

§ 12.4 Suspension, amendment, revocation and waiver of rules.

(a) Suspension or change of rules. These rules may, from time to time, be suspended, amended or revoked in whole or in part. Notice of such action will be published in the Federal Register.

(b) Commission waiver of procedures. In the interest of expediting decision or to prevent undue hardship on any party or for other good cause the Commission may order the adoption of expedited procedures, may waive any rule in this part in a particular case, and may order proceedings in accordance with its direction upon a determination that no party will be prejudiced thereby, and that the ends of justice will be served. Reasonable notice shall be given to all parties of any action taken pursuant to this provision.

§ 12.5 Computation of time.

(a) In general. In computing any period of time prescribed by the rules in this part or allowed by the Commission, the Director of the Office of Proceedings, an Administrative Judge, or an Administrative Law Judge, the day of the act, event, or default from which the designated period of time begins to run is not to be included. The last day of the period so computed is to be included unless it is a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday, in which event the period runs until the end of the next day which is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday. Intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays shall be excluded from the computation only when the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than seven (7) days.

(b) Date of service of orders. In computing any period of time involving the date of service of an order, the date of service shall be the date the order is served by the Proceedings Clerk, which, unless otherwise indicated, shall be the date stamped on the order by the Proceedings Clerk.

§ 12.6 Extensions of time; adjournments; postponements.

(a) In general. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the rules in this part, for good cause shown, the Commission, or an Administrative Judge, Administrative Law Judge, or the Director of the Office of Proceedings, before whom a matter is then pending, on their own motion or the motion of a party, may at any time extend or shorten the time limit prescribed by the rules in this part for filing any document. In any instance in which a time limit is not prescribed for an action to be taken concerning any matter, the Commission or one of the other officials mentioned above may set a time limit for that action.

(b) Motions for extension of time. Absent extraordinary circumstances, in any instance in which a time limit that has been prescribed for an action to be taken concerning any matter exceeds seven days from the date of the order establishing the time limit, requests for extension of time shall be filed at least five (5) days prior to the expiration of the time limit and shall explain why an extension of time is necessary.

§ 12.7 Ex parte communications in reparation proceedings.

(a) Prohibitions against ex parte communications. (1) No interested person outside the Commission shall make or knowingly cause to be made to any Commissioner, Administrative Law Judge, or Commission decisional employee an ex parte communication relevant to the merits of a proceeding.

(2) No Commissioner, Administrative Law Judge, or Commission decisional employee shall make or knowingly cause to be made to any interested person outside the Commission an ex parte communication relevant to the merits of a proceeding.

(b) Procedures for handling ex parte communications. A Commissioner, Administrative Law Judge or Commission decisional employee who receives, or who makes or knowingly causes to be made, an ex parte communication prohibited by paragraph (a) of this section shall:

(1) Place on the public record of the proceeding:

(i) All such written communications;

(ii) Memoranda stating the substance of all such oral communications; and

(iii) All written responses, and memoranda stating the substance of all oral responses, to the materials described in paragraphs (b)(1) (i) and (ii) of this section; and

(2) Promptly give written notice of such communication and responses thereto to all parties to the proceedings to which the communication or responses relate.

(c) Sanctions. (1) Upon receipt of an ex parte communication knowingly made or knowingly caused to be made by a party in violation of the prohibition contained in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the Commission, Administrative Law Judge, or an Administrative Judge may, to the extent consistent with the interests of justice and the policy of the Act, require the parties to show cause why their claims or interest in the proceeding should not be dismissed, denied, disregarded, or otherwise adversely affected on account of such violation.

(2) Any attorney or accountant who knowingly makes or knowingly causes to be made, or who knowingly solicits or knowingly causes the solicitation of, an ex parte communication which violates the prohibitions contained in paragraph (a) of this section may be deemed to have engaged in unprofessional conduct of the type proscribed by 17 CFR 14.8(c).

(3) Any Commissioner, Administrative Law Judge, or Commission decisional employee who knowingly makes or knowingly causes to be made, or who knowingly solicits or knowingly causes the solicitation of, an ex parte communication which violates the prohibitions contained in paragraph (a) of this section may be deemed to have engaged in conduct of the type proscribed by 5 CFR 2635.101(b).

(d) Applicability of prohibitions and sanctions against ex parte communications. (1) The prohibitions of this section against ex parte communications shall apply:

(i) To any person who has actual knowledge that a proceeding has been or will be commenced by order of the Commission; and

(ii) To all persons after public notice has been given that a proceeding has been or will be commenced by order of the Commission.

(2) The prohibitions of this section shall remain in effect until a final order has been entered in the proceeding which is no longer subject to review by the Commission or to appellate review by a court.

§ 12.8 Separation of functions.

(a) An Administrative Judge, or Administrative Law Judge, will not be responsible to or subject to the supervision or direction of any officer, employee, or agent of the Commission engaged in the performance of investigative or prosecutorial functions for the Commission.

(b) No officer, employee, or agent of the Federal Government engaged in the performance of investigative or prosecutorial functions in connection with any proceeding shall, in that proceeding or a factually related proceeding, participate or advise in the decision of an Administrative Judge, or Administrative Law Judge, except as a witness in the proceeding, without the express written consent of the parties to the proceeding. This paragraph (b) shall not apply to the Commissioners.

§ 12.9 Practice before the Commission.

(a) Practice —(1) By non-attorneys. Individuals may appear pro se (on their own behalf); a general partner may represent the partnership; a bona fide officer of a corporation, trust, or association may represent the corporation, trust, or association.

(2) By attorneys. An attorney-at-law who is admitted to practice before the highest Court in any State or territory, or of the District of Columbia, who has not been suspended or disbarred from appearance and practice before the Commission in accordance with provisions of part 14 of this chapter may represent parties as an attorney in proceedings before the Commission.

(b) Debarment of counsel or representative during the course of a proceeding. (1) Whenever, while a proceeding is pending before them, an Administrative Judge or an Administrative Law Judge finds that a person acting as counsel or representative for any party to the proceeding is guilty of contemptuous conduct, such official may order that such person be precluded from further acting as counsel or representative in the proceeding. An immediate appeal to the Commission may be taken from any such order, pursuant to the provisions of § 12.309, but the proceeding shall not be delayed or suspended pending disposition of the appeal; Provided, that the official may suspend the proceedings for a reasonable time for the purpose of enabling the party to obtain other counsel or representative.

(2) Whenever the Administrative Judge or Administrative Law Judge has issued an order precluding a person from further acting as counsel or representative in a proceeding, such official, within a reasonable time thereafter, shall submit to the Commission a report of the facts and circumstances surrounding the issuance of the order and shall recommend what action the Commission should take respecting the appearance of such person as counsel or representative in other proceedings before the Commission.

(c) Withdrawal of representation. Withdrawal from representation of a party shall be only by leave of the decisionmaking official (or the Commission) before whom the proceeding is then pending. Such leave to withdraw may be conditioned on the attorney's (or representative's) submission of an affidavit averring that the party represented has actual knowledge of the withdrawal, and such affidavit shall include the name and address of a successor counsel (or representative) or a statement that the represented party has determined to proceed pro se, in which case, the statement shall include the address where that party can thereafter be served.

§ 12.10 Service.

(a) General requirements —(1) When service is required; number of copies. When one party serves another with documents under these rules, a copy must be served on all other parties as well as filed with the Proceedings Clerk. Similarly, when a person files a document with the Office of Proceedings, the person must serve a copy of the document on all other parties. This rule does not apply to a complaint filed pursuant to § 12.13 of these rules, which shall only be filed with the Commission.

(2) How service is made. Service shall be made by:

(i) Personal service;

(ii) First-class or a more expeditious form of United States mail or an overnight or similar commercial delivery service;

(iii) Facsimile (“fax”); or

(iv) Electronic mail (“email”).

(3) Service by fax or email shall be permitted at the discretion of the Presiding Officer, with the parties' consent. The consent of a party must specify the email address or fax number to be used. Signed documents that are served by email attachment must be in PDF or other non-alterable form.

(4) Service will be complete at the time of personal service; upon deposit in the mail or with an overnight or similar commercial delivery service of a properly addressed document for which all postage or delivery service fees have been paid; or upon transmission by fax or email. Service by email or by fax will not be effective if the party making service learns that the attempted service did not reach the person to be served.

(5) Where service is effected by mail or commercial delivery service (but not by fax or email), the time within which the person served may respond thereto shall be extended by five (5) days.

(6) Statement of Service. A statement of service shall be made by filing with the Proceedings Clerk, simultaneously with the filing of the document, a statement signed by the party making service or by his attorney or representative that:

(i) Confirms that service has been made;

(ii) Identifies each person served;

(iii) Sets forth the date of service; and

(iv) Recites the manner of service.

(b) Service of orders and decisions. A copy of all notices, rulings, opinions, and orders of the Proceedings Clerk, the Director of the Office of Proceedings, an Administrative Judge, an Administrative Law Judge, the General Counsel or any employee under the General Counsel's supervision as the General Counsel may designate, or the Commission shall be served by the Proceedings Clerk on each of the parties. The Commission, in its discretion and with due consideration for the convenience of the parties, may serve the aforementioned documents to the parties by electronic means.

(c) Designation of person to receive service. The first page of the first document filed in a proceeding by a party or participant shall include the contact information of a person authorized to receive service on their behalf. Thereafter, service of documents shall be made upon the person authorized unless service on the party is ordered by an Administrative Judge, an Administrative Law Judge or the Commission, or unless no person authorized to receive service can be found, or unless the person authorized to receive service is changed by the party upon due notice to all other parties.

§ 12.11 Formalities of filing of documents with the Proceedings Clerk.

(a) If a party files by personal delivery or mail, an original of all documents shall be filed with the Proceedings Clerk. If a party files a document by fax or email in accordance with § 12.10(a)(2), they should not also send paper copies.

(b) First page. The first page of all documents filed with the Proceedings Clerk must include the Commission's name, the docket number, the title of the proceeding, the subject of the document and the name of the person on whose behalf the document is being filed. In the complaint, the title of the proceeding shall include the names of all the complainants and respondents, but in documents subsequently filed it is sufficient to state the name of the first complainant and first respondent named in the complaint.

(c) Format. Documents must be legible and printed on normal white paper of eight and one half by eleven inches. Documents emailed in accordance with the requirements of § 12.10(a)(2) must be in PDF or other non-alterable form. The typeface, margins, and spacing of all typed documents presented for filing should meet the following requirements: all text should be 12-point type or larger, except for text in footnotes which may be 10-point type; all documents should have at least one-inch margins on all sides; all text must be double-spaced, except for headings, text in footnotes, or block quotations, which may be single-spaced.

(d) Signature —(1) Manner. The original of all papers must be signed in ink by persons filing the same or by their duly authorized agents or attorneys.

(2) Effect. The signature on any document of persons acting either for themselves or as attorney or agent for another constitutes certification by them that:

(i) They have read the document and know the contents thereof;

(ii) If executed in any representative capacity, it was done with full power and authority to do so;

(iii) To the best of their knowledge, information and belief, every statement contained in the document is true and not misleading; and

(iv) The document has been filed in good faith and has not been filed to cause delay.

(e) Length and form of briefs. All briefs filed containing more than 15 pages shall include an index and a table of cases and other authorities cited. No brief shall exceed 25 pages in length without prior permission of the Presiding Officer.

(f) All documents which are required to be served upon a party shall be filed concurrently with the Proceedings Clerk. A document shall be filed by delivering it in person or by first-class mail or a more expeditious form of United States mail or by overnight or similar commercial delivery service to Proceedings Clerk, Office of Proceedings, at the Commission's Washington, DC headquarters; or faxing the document to [phone]; or emailing it to [email protected] in accordance with the conditions set forth in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.

(g) To be timely filed under this part, a document must be delivered in person; mailed by first-class or a more expeditious form of United States mail or by an overnight or similar commercial delivery service; or faxed or emailed to the Proceedings Clerk within the time prescribed for filing.

§ 12.12 Signature.

(a) By whom. All documents filed with the Commission shall be signed personally:

(1) By the person or persons on whose behalf they are tendered for filing;

(2) By a general partner, officer or director of a partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity; or

(3) By an attorney-at-law having authority with respect thereto.

The Proceedings Clerk may require appropriate evidence of the authority of a person subscribing a document on behalf of another person.

(b) Effect. The signature on any document of any persons acting either for themselves or as attorney or agent for another constitutes certification by them that:

(1) They have read the document subscribed and know the contents thereof;

(2) If executed in any representative capacity, it was done with full power and authority to do so;

(3) To the best of their knowledge, information, and belief, every statement contained in the document is true and not misleading; and

(4) The document is not being interposed for delay.

§ 12.13 Complaint; election of procedure.

(a) In general. Any person complaining of a violation of any provision of the Act or a rule, regulation or order of the Commission thereunder by any person who is a registrant (as defined in § 12.2) may, at any time within two years after the cause of action accrues, apply to the Commission for a reparation award by filing a written complaint which satisfies the requirements of this rule.

(b) Form of complaint. The form of each complaint filed under paragraph (a) of this section shall meet the following requirements:

(1) Content. Each complaint shall include:

(i) The name, residence address, and telephone number (during business hours) of the complainant;

(ii) The name, address, and telephone number, if known, of each person alleged in the complaint to have violated the Act or any rule, regulation or order thereunder;

(iii) If known, the specific provisions of the Act, rule, regulation, or order claimed to have been violated;

(iv) A complete description of complainant's case, including, but not limited to:

(A) A description of all relevant facts concerning each and every act or omission which it is claimed constitutes a violation of the Act; and

(B) A description of all facts which show or tend to show the manner in which it is claimed that the complainant was injured by the alleged violations;

(v) The amount of damages the complainant claims to have suffered and the method by which those damages have been computed, the amount of punitive damages (no more than two times the amount of such actual damages) the complainant claims, if any, and how complainant plans to demonstrate that punitive damages are appropriate;

(vi) A statement indicating whether an arbitration proceeding or civil court litigation, based on the same set of facts set forth and involving any party named as a respondent in the complaint, has been instituted, and whether such a proceeding has reached a final disposition or is presently pending;

(vii) A statement indicating whether any of the respondents is the subject of receivership or bankruptcy proceedings that are presently pending;

(viii) An election of a decisional procedure pursuant to subpart C, D, or E. (A procedure pursuant to subpart D may be elected only if the total amount of damages claimed, exclusive of interest and costs, does not exceed $30,000. A procedure pursuant to subpart E may be elected only if the total amount claimed as damages, exclusive of interest and costs, exceeds $30,000); and

(ix) A filing fee in the amount prescribed by § 12.25 of these rules shall be submitted with the complaint at the time of its filing.

(2) Subscription and verification of the complaint. Each complaint shall be signed personally by an individual complainant or by a duly authorized officer or agent of a complainant who is not a natural person. Complainant's signature shall be given under oath or affirmation under penalty of law attesting either that complainant knows the facts set forth in the complaint to be true, or believes the facts set forth to be true, in which event the information upon which complainant formed that belief shall be set forth with particularity.

(3) Time and place of filing of complaint. A complaint shall be filed by delivering a copy thereof, in proper form to the Office of Proceedings at the Commission's Washington, DC headquarters. The complaint may be filed in person, during normal business hours, or by certified mail, or registered mail with return receipt requested. The complaint shall not be served on any person or party named therein. Upon the filing of the complaint and the appropriate filing fee, the Proceedings Clerk shall assign a docket number to the matter and shall maintain the official docket.

(4) Bond required if complainant is nonresident; filing date of nonresident's complaint. (i) If a complaint in reparations is filed by a nonresident of the United States, the complaint shall not be considered duly filed in proper form unless it is accompanied by:

(A) A bond in double the amount of the claim either with a surety company approved by the Treasury Department of the United States or two personal sureties, each of whom shall be a citizen of the United States and shall qualify as financially responsible for the entire amount of the bond, which bond shall run to the respondent and be conditioned upon the payment of costs (including reasonable attorney's fees, for the respondent if the respondent shall prevail) and any reparation award that may be issued by the Commission against the complainant on any counterclaim asserted by respondent; or

(B) A written request that the bond requirement be waived in accordance with section 14(c) of the Commodity Exchange Act, accompanied by sufficient proof that the country of which the complainant is a resident permits the filing of a complaint by a resident of the United States against a citizen of that country without the furnishing of a bond.

(ii) The provisions of paragraphs (b)(4)(i)(A) or (b)(4)(i)(B) of this section must be satisfied within two years after the complainant's cause of action accrues.

(iii) When mailed from a foreign country, a nonresident's complaint shall be deemed filed on the date that it is received in proper form by the Commission's Proceedings Clerk, not on the date of mailing from the country of origin.

§ 12.14 Withdrawal of complaint.

At any time prior to service of notification to the complainant pursuant to § 12.15(a) of the Director of the Office of Proceedings' determination to forward the complaint to a registrant, complainant may file a written notice of withdrawal of the complaint which shall terminate the Commission's consideration of the complaint without prejudice to complainant's right to re-file a reparations complaint based upon the same set of facts within two years after the cause of action accrues. If the complainant has previously filed a notice of withdrawal of a complaint based upon the same set of facts, the notice of withdrawal of complaint shall terminate the case with prejudice to complainant's rights to re-file a complaint in reparations based on the same set of facts, but such termination shall be regarded by the Commission as without prejudice to complainant's right to seek redress in such alternative forums as may be available for adjudication of the claims.

§ 12.15 Notification of complaint.

(a) Forwarding of complaint to registrant. If, in the opinion of the Director of the Office of Proceedings, the facts set forth in a complaint warrant such action as to any of the registrants, a copy of the complaint, together with any attachments thereto, shall be forwarded by serving by registered mail or certified mail any such registrant named therein at an address previously designated with the Commission by the registrant for receipt of reparation complaints, as provided in Commission Regulation 17 CFR 3.30, or, if no such designation has been filed with the Commission, at such address as will accomplish actual notice to the respondent. Should the Director determine to forward the complaint, the complainant shall be notified of this determination at the time the complaint is forwarded.

(b) Determination not to forward complaint. The Director may, in their discretion, refuse to forward a complaint as to a particular respondent if it appears that the matters alleged therein are not cognizable in reparations, or that grounds exist pursuant to § 12.24(c) or (d) for refusing to forward the complaint. If the Director of the Office of Proceedings should determine not to forward the complaint to all registrants named in the complaint in accordance with this section, no proceeding shall be held thereon and the complainant shall be notified to that effect. If the Director determines to forward the complaint as to less than all of the registrants, the complainant shall be so notified. A termination of the complaint as to any registrant shall be regarded by the Commission as without prejudice to the right of the complainant to seek such alternative forms of relief as may be available.

§ 12.16 Response to complaint.

Within 25 days after the complaint has been served by the Office of Proceedings on the registrant, or within such additional time (not to exceed 10 days absent extraordinary circumstances) as the Director of the Office of Proceedings, or his/her delegee may grant, for good cause shown, each registrant shall either—

(a) Satisfy the complaint in accordance with § 12.17 of these rules; or

(b) Answer the complaint in the manner prescribed by § 12.18 of these rules.

§ 12.17 Satisfaction of complaint.

A respondent may satisfy the complaint:

(a) By paying to the complainant either the amount to which the complainant claims to be entitled as set forth in the complaint or such other amount as the complainant will accept in satisfaction of the claim; and

(b) By submitting to the Commission notice of satisfaction and withdrawal of the complaint, duly executed by the complainant and the respondent.

§ 12.18 Answer; election of procedure.

An answer filed pursuant to § 12.16 of these rules shall meet the following requirements:

(a) Content. Each answer shall contain:

(1) The full name, current address and telephone number (during business hours) of each respondent on whose behalf the answer is filed;

(2) A complete description of each registrant's case, including but not limited to, a precise and detailed statement of the facts which constitute each registrant's ground for defense;

(3) Admissions, if any, as to the registrant's liability for the amount (or any portion thereof) claimed as damages;

(4) A statement indicating whether the registrant is (and if the answer is filed on behalf of two or more registrants, which if any of them are) in receivership or subject to bankruptcy proceedings;

(5) A statement indicating whether an arbitration or civil court litigation, based on the same set of facts set forth in the complaint (involving any or all of the parties named therein), is pending;

(6) A counterclaim which the registrant wishes to pursue under § 12.19 of these rules;

(7) An election of an alternative decisional procedure pursuant to subparts C, D, or E of these rules. (A proceeding pursuant to subpart D may be elected only if the amount of actual damages claimed in the complaint or as counterclaims, exclusive of interest, costs, and punitive damages, does not exceed $30,000. A procedure pursuant to subpart E may be elected only if the amount of actual damages claimed in the complaint or as counterclaims, exclusive of interest, costs, and punitive damages exceeds $30,000;

(8) If appropriate, a filing fee in the amount prescribed by § 12.25 shall be submitted with an answer at the time of its filing.

(b) Motion for reconsideration of determination to forward the complaint. An answer may include a motion for reconsideration of the determination to forward the complaint, specifying the grounds therefor, which the Director of the Office of Proceedings, in their discretion, may grant by terminating the case pursuant to § 12.27, or deny by forwarding the pleadings and matters of record for an elected decisional proceeding pursuant to § 12.26. The inclusion in an answer of a motion for reconsideration shall not preclude a respondent, if the motion is denied, from moving for dismissal at a later stage of the proceeding for the same reasons cited in a motion for reconsideration pursuant to this paragraph (b).

(c) Subscription and verification of the answer. An answer shall be signed personally by each registrant on behalf of whom it is filed or by a duly authorized officer or agent of any such registrant who is not a natural person. Each registrant's signature shall be given under oath, or by affirmation under penalty of law, attesting that the signer has read the answer; that to the best of the signer's knowledge all of the statements in the answer, the counterclaim (if any), and the materials required by this part to be appended thereto, are accurate and true, and that the answer (and counterclaim, if any) has not been interposed for delay.

(d) Affidavit of service. The registrant shall file with the answer an affidavit showing that a true copy of the answer has been served upon the complainant, either personally or by first-class mail addressed to the complainant at the address set forth in the complaint.

(e) Time and place of filing an answer. An answer shall be filed by delivering a copy thereof, in proper form to the Office of Proceedings at the Commission's Washington, DC headquarters. The answer may be filed in person, during normal business hours, or by certified mail, or registered mail with return receipt requested.

§ 12.19 Counterclaim.

A registrant may, at the time of filing an answer to a complaint, set forth as a counterclaim: (a) Facts alleging a violation and a request for a reparation award that would be a proper subject for a complaint under § 12.13 of these rules; or

(b) Any claim which at the time the complaint is served the registrant has against the complainant if it arises out of the transaction or occurrence or series of transactions or occurrences set forth in the complaint.

§ 12.20 Response to counterclaim; reply; election of procedure.

(a) Response to counterclaim. If an answer asserts a counterclaim, the complainant shall, within thirty (30) days after service of the answer by the respondent:

(1) Satisfy the counterclaim as if it were a complaint, in the manner prescribed by § 12.17; or

(2) File a reply to the counterclaim with the Commission.

(b) Form and content of reply. Should the complainant, under this paragraph, elect to file a reply to a counterclaim, the reply shall be strictly confined to the matters alleged in the counterclaim and shall conform to the form and content and other requirements set forth in § 12.18 of these rules.

(c) Election of decisional procedure. If neither the complainant nor the respondent, in the complaint or answer respectively, has previously made an election of the summary decisional procedure or the formal decisional procedure, the complainant may make such an election in the reply.

§ 12.21 Voluntary dismissal.

(a) At any time after the Director of the Office of Proceedings has served notification to the parties pursuant to § 12.15 of the Director's determination to forward the complaint to the respondent for a response, either the complainant or the respondent may obtain dismissal of the complaint (or the proceeding, if one has commenced) by filing a stipulation of dismissal, duly executed by all of the complainants and each respondent against whom the complaint has been forwarded (or added as a party in the course of a proceeding); provided however, that if the stipulation is filed after any respondent has filed an answer, the terms of the stipulation shall include a dismissal of any counterclaims in the answer.

(b) A dismissal of a complaint pursuant to this paragraph shall be with prejudice to complainant's right to re-file a claim in reparations based upon the same set of facts as alleged in the dismissed complaint. Unless otherwise stated in the stipulation, a dismissal ordered pursuant to this paragraph shall be regarded by the Commission as without prejudice to the parties' right to seek redress in such alternative forums as may be available for adjudication of their claims.

(c) Upon receiving a written stipulation of dismissal which satisfies the requirements of this rule, the official before whom the matter or proceeding is pending shall issue an order of dismissal, and serve a copy thereof upon each of the parties.

(d) This rule shall be applicable at all stages of a reparation proceeding.

§ 12.22 Default proceedings.

(a) Institution of a default proceeding. Failure timely to respond to a complaint or a counterclaim, as required by §§ 12.16 and 12.20 of these rules, or, if applicable, to pay a filing fee required by § 12.25(b) or (c), shall be treated as an admission of the allegations of the complaint or counterclaim by the non-responding party, shall constitute a waiver by such party of any decisional procedure afforded by these Rules on the facts set forth in the complaint or counterclaim, and shall result in the institution of a default proceeding.

(b) Default procedure. Upon a party's failure to respond timely to a complaint or counterclaim as prescribed in §§ 12.16 and 12.20, or timely to comply with § 12.25(b) or (c), the Director of the Office of Proceedings shall forward the pleadings, and other materials then of record, to an Administrative Judge or Administrative Law Judge who may thereafter enter findings and conclusions concerning the questions of violations and damages and, if warranted, enter a reparation award against the non-responding party. If the facts which are treated as admitted are considered insufficient to support a violation or the amount of reparations sought, the Administrative Judge or Administrative Law Judge may order production of supplementary evidence from the party not in default and may enter a default order and an award based thereon.

(c) Finality. A default order issued pursuant to this rule, or pursuant to any other provisions of these part 12 Reparation Rules, shall become the final decision and order of the Commission thirty (30) days after service thereof, unless the order is set aside pursuant to § 12.23(a) of these rules, or unless the Commission takes review of such order on its own motion on or before the thirtieth day.

§ 12.23 Setting aside of default.

(a) Default order not final. In order to prevent injustice or for good cause shown, and on such conditions as may be appropriate, a non-final default order (including any award therein) may be set aside by the official who issued the order.

(1) Procedure for setting aside non-final default order. Any party or person who is the subject of a default order issued pursuant to these rules may, at any time before the order becomes final pursuant to § 12.22(c), file and serve a motion to set aside the default, which shall set forth reasons why the act or omission for which the party was defaulted was not willful, why there is a reasonable likelihood of success for the party's claim or defense if heard on the merits, and why no prejudice will be sustained by other parties if the default is set aside. A motion to set aside a default order filed pursuant to this paragraph (a)(1) shall be decided, in the first instance, by the official who issued the default order.

(2) Review. A denial of a motion to set aside a non-final default order by the official who issued the order shall be treated as an initial decision, which may be appealed to the Commission in accordance with the requirements of § 12.401 of these rules. A grant of a motion to set aside a non-final default order may be appealed only in accordance with the requirements of § 12.309 of these rules.

(b) Default order final. A default order that has become final pursuant to § 12.22(c) shall not be set aside except upon a motion filed and served by the defaulted party showing that the defaulted party should be relieved from the default order because of fraud perpetrated on a decisionmaking official or the Commission, mistake, excusable neglect, or because the order is void for want of jurisdiction. Such a motion shall also show that, if the default order were set aside, there would be a reasonable likelihood of success for the defaulted party's claim or defense on the merits and that no party would be prejudiced thereby. Motions to set aside a final default order for fraud, mistake, or excusable neglect shall be filed within one year after the order was issued. All motions to set aside default orders shall be decided, in the first instance, by the official who issued the order. A denial of a motion to set aside a default order that has become final shall be treated as an initial decision, which may be appealed to the Commission in accordance with the requirements of § 12.401. A grant of a motion to set aside a final default order shall be treated as a nonfinal order which may be appealed only in accordance with the requirements of § 12.309.

§ 12.24 Parallel proceedings.

(a) Definition. For purposes of this section, a parallel proceeding shall include:

(1) An arbitration proceeding or civil court proceeding, involving one or more of the respondents as a party, which is pending at the time the reparation complaint is filed and involves claims or counterclaims that are based on the same set of facts which serve as a basis for all of the claims in the reparations complaint, and which either:

(i) Was commenced at the instance of the complainant in reparations; or

(ii) Involves counterclaims by the complainant in reparations alleging violations of the Commodity Exchange Act, or any regulation or order issued thereunder; or

(iii) Is governed by a compulsory counterclaim rule of Federal court procedure which required the complainant in reparations to assert all of complainant's claims (including those based on alleged violations of the Commodity Exchange Act, and any regulation or order issued thereunder) as counterclaims in that proceeding;

(2) The appointment by a court of a receivership over the assets, property or proceeds of a respondent named in a reparation complaint where the responsibility of the receivership includes the resolution of claims made by customers; or

(3) A petition filed under any chapter of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. 101 et seq., as amended, commenced pursuant to 11 U.S.C. 301 or 302 by a respondent in a reparation proceeding, or the issuance by a bankruptcy court of an order for relief after the filing against a respondent in a reparation proceeding of an involuntary petition in bankruptcy pursuant to 11 U.S.C. 303.

(b) Notice. At the time a complaint in reparations is filed pursuant to these rules, or at any time thereafter, any party, receiver or trustee, or counsel to any of the foregoing with knowledge of a parallel proceeding shall promptly notify the Commission, by first-class mail addressed to the Office of Proceedings, attention of the Proceedings Clerk, and serve notice on all other parties, including the receiver or trustee. The notice shall include the following information:

(1) The caption of the parallel proceeding;

(2) The name of the court or the arbitration tribunal (including address and phone number, if known);

(3) The docket number or numbers;

(4) The date the parallel proceeding was filed (and the current status if known); and

(5) If a proceeding in bankruptcy or receivership is pending, the date of the appointment and name and address of the receiver or trustee.

A copy of any relevant complaint, petition or order shall be attached to the notice.

(c) Effect of pending arbitration or civil court litigation. (1) The Director of the Office of Proceedings shall refuse to institute an elected decisional procedure concerning a reparation complaint filed under this part in which there is a parallel proceeding described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section and shall return the complaint to the complaining person. The effective date of the Director's termination of the complaint without prejudice shall be fifteen (15) days from the date of service of notice of the action taken pursuant to this paragraph.

(2) If notice of a parallel proceeding described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section is received before the initial decision is filed (or before a final decision under § 12.106 of the rules is entered), a proceeding in which a decisional procedure has been commenced shall be dismissed, without prejudice. The effective date of the order of dismissal shall be fifteen (15) days from the date of service of the order by the Proceedings Clerk.

(d) Effect of receivership or bankruptcy proceedings. (1) The Director of the Office of Proceedings shall refuse to institute an elected decisional procedure as to a respondent in any reparation complaint filed pursuant to this part who is the subject of a parallel proceeding described in paragraph (a)(2) or (a)(3) of this section, and shall notify all parties, including the receiver or trustee, that as to that respondent a reparation proceeding shall not be instituted. The effective date of the Director's action shall be fifteen (15) days from the date of service of the notice thereof.

(2) A proceeding in which an elected decisional procedure has been commenced shall be ordered dismissed, without prejudice, as to any respondent who becomes the subject of a parallel proceeding described in paragraph (a)(2) or (a)(3) of this section if notice pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section is received before the filing of an initial decision (or before a final decision is issued pursuant to § 12.106) as to that respondent. The Proceedings Clerk shall notify all parties, including the receiver or trustee, of the order. The effective date of the order shall be fifteen (15) days from the date of the service of the order by the Proceedings Clerk.

(e) Exceptions. At the time notice of a parallel proceeding is filed pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, or any time thereafter, any party, or the receiver or trustee, may file and serve upon other parties a statement in support of or in opposition to any action taken or to be taken pursuant to paragraph (c) or (d) of this section. This statement shall be addressed to the Office of Proceedings, attention of the Proceedings Clerk. Upon receipt of any such statement, the Proceedings Clerk shall immediately forward the statement to the official with responsibility over the case. The notice and the statements filed by the parties shall be reviewed by that official who, on or before the effective date of action taken pursuant to paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) and (d)(1) and (2) of this section, may take such actions as, in the official's opinion, are necessary to ensure that the parties to the matter or proceedings are not unduly prejudiced.

(f) No right of appeal to the Commission. Any action taken, or order issued, pursuant to paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), (d)(1), or (d)(2), of this section that has become effective shall be deemed a final order which is not subject to appeal pursuant to subpart F of these rules.

§ 12.25 Filing fees.

(a) Fees payable upon filing a complaint. (1) A complainant who, in the complaint, has elected the voluntary decisional procedure shall, at the time of filing the complaint, pay a filing fee of $50.00;

(2) A complainant who, in the complaint wherein the amount of damages claimed does not exceed $30,000, exclusive of interest and costs, has not elected the voluntary decisional procedure shall, at the time of filing the complaint, pay a filing fee of $125.00.

(3) A complainant who, in the complaint wherein the amount of damages claimed exceeds $30,000, exclusive of interest and costs, has not elected the voluntary decisional procedure shall, at the time of filing the complaint, pay a filing fee of $250.00.

(b) Fees payable upon filing an answer. (1) If a complainant, in the complaint, has elected the voluntary decisional procedure, a respondent who, in the answer, elects the summary decisional procedure (available only where the amount of damages claimed in the complaint or as counterclaims does not exceed $30,000) shall, at the time of filing the answer, pay a filing fee of $75.00.

(2) If a complainant, in the complaint, has elected the voluntary decisional procedure, a respondent who, in the answer, elects the formal decisional procedure (available only where the amount of damages claimed in the complaint or as counterclaims exceeds $30,000) shall, at the time of filing the answer, pay a filing fee of $200.00.

(c) Fees payable upon filing a reply. In any case in which a counterclaim has been made, unless a complainant in the complaint, or the respondent in an answer, has elected the summary decisional procedure or the formal decisional procedure a complainant, who in the reply elects either of these procedures, shall, at the time of filing the reply, pay a filing fee of $75.00 or $200.00, respectively, depending whether the procedure elected by complainant is pursuant to subpart D or E of this part.

§ 12.26 Commencement of a reparation proceeding.

(a) Commencement of voluntary decisional proceeding. Where complainant and respondent in the complaint and answer have elected the voluntary decisional procedure pursuant to subpart C of this part and the complainant has paid the filing fee required by § 12.25, the Director of the Office of Proceedings shall, if in the Director's opinion the facts warrant taking such action, forward the pleadings and all materials of record to the Proceedings Clerk for a proceeding to be conducted in accordance with subpart C of this part. The Proceedings Clerk shall forthwith notify the parties of such action. Such notification shall be accompanied by an order issued by the Proceedings Clerk requiring the parties to complete all discovery, as provided in subpart B of this part, within 50 days thereafter. A voluntary decisional proceeding commences upon service of such notification and order. As soon as practicable after service of such notification, the Proceedings Clerk shall assign the case to an Administrative Judge for a final decision.

(b) Commencement of summary decisional proceeding. Where the amount claimed as damages, exclusive of interest and costs, in the complaint or in counterclaim does not exceed $30,000, and either a complainant or a respondent in the complaint, answer, or reply, has elected the summary decisional procedure pursuant to subpart D of this part, and has paid the filing fee required by § 12.25, the Director of the Office of Proceedings shall, if in the Director's opinion the facts warrant taking such action, forward the pleadings and all materials of record to the Proceedings Clerk for a proceeding to be conducted in accordance with subpart D of this part. The Proceedings Clerk shall forthwith notify the parties of such action. Such notification shall be accompanied by an order issued by the Proceedings Clerk requiring the parties to complete all discovery, as provided in subpart B of this part, within 50 days thereafter. A summary decisional proceeding commences upon service of such notification. As soon as practicable after service of such notification, the Proceedings Clerk shall assign the case to an Administrative Judge for disposition.

(c) Commencement of formal decisional proceeding. Where the amount claimed as damages in the complaint or as counterclaims exceeds $30,000, exclusive of interest and costs, and either a complainant or a respondent in the complaint, answer or reply, has elected the formal decisional procedure pursuant to subpart E of this part, and has paid the filing fee required by § 12.25, the Director of the Office of Proceedings shall, if in the Director's opinion the facts warrant taking such action, forward the pleadings and the materials of record to the Proceedings Clerk for a proceeding to be conducted in accordance with subpart E of this part. The Proceedings Clerk shall forthwith notify the parties of such action. Such notification shall be accompanied by an order issued by the Proceedings Clerk requiring the parties to complete all discovery, as provided in subpart B of this part, within 50 days thereafter. A formal decisional proceeding commences upon service of such notification and order. As soon as practicable after service of such notification, the Proceedings Clerk shall assign the case to an Administrative Judge. All provisions of this part that refer to and grant authority to or impose obligations upon an Administrative Law Judge shall be read as referring to and granting authority to and imposing obligations upon the Administrative Judge.

§ 12.27 Termination of consideration of pleadings.

If the Director of the Office of Proceedings should determine not to proceed in a manner set forth in § 12.26 (a), (b), or (c), consideration of the complaint and the answer (and reply, if any) shall terminate, and no proceeding shall be held on the allegations in any such pleadings. Such termination shall be regarded by the Commission as without prejudice to the right of the parties to seek such alternative forms of relief as may be available to them. If the consideration of the pleadings should be terminated, the Proceedings Clerk shall immediately notify the parties to that effect by registered or certified mail. A determination by the Director not to proceed in the manner set forth in § 12.26 (a), (b), or (c) of these rules is not subject to appeal pursuant to subpart F of these rules.

§ 12.30 Methods of discovery.

(a) In general. Parties may obtain discovery by the following methods in accordance with the procedures and limitations set forth in the section indicated:

(1) Production of documents or other items (§ 12.31);

(2) Deposition on written interrogatories (§ 12.32);

(3) Admissions (§ 12.33).

(b) Scope of discovery. The scope of discovery is as follows:

(1) Relevancy. Except as provided below, discovery may be obtained regarding any matter not privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter in the pending proceeding, including the existence, description, nature, custody, condition and location of any books, documents, or other tangible items, and the identity and location of persons having knowledge of any discoverable matters. Tax returns and personal bank account records shall not be discoverable, except upon motion by the party seeking discovery showing the need for disclosure of information contained therein, and that the same information could not be obtained through other means.

(2) Protective orders. Upon motion by a party or the person from whom discovery is sought, filed within twenty days after the objectionable discovery notice or request is served, and for good cause shown, the official presiding over discovery may issue any order to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense, or to prevent the raising of issues untimely or inappropriate to the proceeding, or the inappropriate disclosure of trade secrets or sensitive commercial or financial information. Relief through a protective order may include one or more of the following:

(i) That discovery not be had;

(ii) That discovery may be had only on specified terms and conditions;

(iii) That certain matters not be inquired into, or that the scope of the discovery be limited to certain matters;

(iv) That a trade secret or other confidential commercial information not be disclosed or be disclosed only in a designated way; and

(v) That the parties simultaniously file specified documents or information in sealed envelopes to be opened only as directed by the decisionmaking official.

(3) Motions for order compelling discovery. It shall be the duty of a party to obtain an order compelling discovery from another party if the latter party fails to comply with a discovery notice, by filing a motion therefor within twenty days after the time allowed by these rules for compliance with the notice has expired.

(c) Sanctions for abuse of discovery. If an Administrative Law Judge or an Administrative Judge finds that any party, without substantial justification, has necessitated the filing of a motion for a protective order or for an order compelling discovery, or any other discovery-related motions, that party shall, if the motion is granted, be ordered to pay, at the termination of the proceeding, the reasonable expenses of the moving party incurred in filing the motion, unless the decisionmaking official finds that circumstances exist which would make an award of such expenses unjust. If a decisionmaking official finds that any party, without substantial justification, has filed a motion for a protective order or for an order compelling discovery, or any discovery-related motions, that party shall, if the motion is denied, be ordered to pay, at the termination of the proceeding, the reasonable expenses of an adverse party incurred in opposing the motion, unless the decisionmaker finds that circumstances exist which would make an award of such expenses unjust.

(d) Time limit. Absent an extension of time, all discovery notices or requests shall be served within (30) days (and all discovery shall be completed within (50) days) after the notification and the order required by § 12.26 (a), (b), or (c) has been served on the parties. Upon motion by a party and for good cause shown, the time allowed for discovery may be enlarged for one additional period not to exceed thirty (30) days.

§ 12.31 Production of documents and tangible items.

(a) By a party. Any party, within the time prescribed in § 12.30(d) and subject to the limitations in § 12.30(a), may serve on any other party, a notice to produce copies of specifically designated categories of documents, papers, books, accounts, letters, photographs, objects, or tangible things which are in the party's possession, custody or control. A copy of the notice shall be served on all other parties to the proceeding. All documents requested in the notice to produce shall be served on the party seeking the discovery within twenty (20) days after service of the notice to produce.

(b) By a non-party. Any party may, by filing an appropriate motion showing the need for the materials and an application for a subpoena in accordance with the procedure precribed in § 12.313 and within the time prescribed by § 12.30(d) of these rules, seek leave to serve upon a non-party a notice to produce copies of any specifically designated categories of materials as are described in paragraph (a) of this section. After an appropriate order and subpoena has been issued, such party may serve upon a non-party a notice to produce such materials. All materials requested in the notice to produce, and, if applicable, a detailed explanation of why any of the specified materials cannot be produced, shall be served on the party seeking discovery within such time (not to exceed thirty (30) days) as the subpoena shall specify. Enforcement of the order and subpoena may be sought in accordance with § 12.313.

§ 12.32 Depositions on written interrogatories.

(a) Notice. Any party, within the time prescribed by § 12.30(d), may serve on any other party or any officer or agent of a party a notice of the taking of a deposition on written interrogatories.

(b) Number. The number of written interrogatories served upon any one party shall not exceed thirty. For the purpose of this rule, each sub-interrogatory or divisible part of an interrogatory shall be regarded as one interrogatory. Leave to serve additional interrogatories shall not be granted absent extraordinary circumstances.

(c) Reply. (1) Each interrogatory served shall be answered by the party served or if the party is a corporation, partnership, association, or government agency, by any officer or agent thereof selected by the responding party.

(2) Each interrogatory shall be answered separately and fully in writing, unless objected to, in which event the reasons for objection shall be stated in lieu of an answer. For the purposes of this rule, an evasive or incomplete answer shall be treated as a failure to answer. The answers are to be signed and verified by the person making them. The person upon whom a notice to take a deposition on written interrogatories has been served shall serve a copy of the answers and objections within twenty (20) days after service of the interrogatories.

(d) Deposition of a non-party. The deposition on written interrogatories of a non-party may be taken only within the time prescribed by § 12.30(d), and only pursuant to an order entered and subpoena issued in accordance with the provisions of § 12.313 of these rules; provided however, that the deposition on written interrogatories of a Commission member or employee may only be taken upon a showing that the Commission member or employee has personal knowledge of the matters sought to be discovered ( i.e., not obtained pursuant to a Commission investigation), that the information sought to be discovered is material and that the information sought to be discovered is not available from other sources.

(e) Filing of depositions on written interrogatories in a voluntary or summary decisional proceeding. In proceedings commenced pursuant to § 12.26 (a) and (b) of these rules, copies of all depositions on written interrogatories shall be filed by the party on whose behalf the discovery was obtained.

§ 12.33 Admissions.

(a) Request for admissions. Any party may, within the time permitted by § 12.30(d) of these rules, serve upon any other party a written request for admissions of the truth of any matters set forth in the request that relate to statements or opinions of fact or of the application of law to fact, including the genuineness of any document described in the request. Copies of documents shall be served with the request unless they have been or are otherwise furnished or made available for inspection and copying. A copy of the request shall be filed with the Proceedings Clerk.

(b) Reply. Each matter of which an admission is requested shall be separately set forth. The matter is admitted unless within twenty (20) days after service of the request, the party upon whom the request is directed files and serves upon the party requesting a verified written answer or objection to the matter. If objection is made, the reasons therefor shall be stated. The answer shall specifically deny the matter or set forth in detail the reasons why the answering party cannot truthfully admit or deny the matter. A denial shall fairly meet the substance of the requested admission and when good faith requires that an answering party qualify the answer and deny only a part of the matter of which an admission is requested, the answering party shall specify so much of it as is true and qualify or deny the remainder. Answering parties may not give a lack of information or knowledge as a reason for failure to admit or deny unless they state that they have made reasonable inquiry and that the information known or reasonably available to them is insufficient to enable them to admit or deny. Parties who consider that a matter of which an admission has been requested presents a genuine issue for trial may not, on that ground alone, object to the request; they may deny the matter or set forth reasons why they cannot admit or deny it.

(c) Determining sufficiency of answers or objections. The party who has requested the admissions may move to determine the sufficiency of the answers or objections. Unless the objecting party sustains the burden of showing that the objection is justified, the official presiding over discovery shall order that an answer be served. If such official determines that an answer does not comply with the requirements of this section, that official may order either that the matter is admitted or that an amended answer be served.

(d) Effect of admission. Any matter admitted under this section is conclusively established and may be used as proof against the party who made the admission. However, the discovery or decisionmaking official may permit withdrawal or amendment when the presentation of the merits of the proceeding will be served thereby and the party who obtains the admission fails to satisfy such official that withdrawal or amendments will prejudice them in maintaining an action or defense on the merits.

§ 12.34 Discovery by a decisionmaking official.

(a) Applicability. The provisions of this section shall apply to all decisional proceedings commenced pursuant to § 12.26. For the purposes of this section, the term “decisionmaking official” shall mean an Administrative Judge or Administrative Law Judge assigned to render a decision in the proceeding.

(b) Production of documents and tangible things —(1) Order for production. A decisionmaking official may, upon the official's own motion, order a party or non-party to produce copies of specifically designated documents, papers, books, accounts, or tangible things (or categories of any of the foregoing) which are in the possession, custody or control of the party, non-party or agent thereof, against whom the order is directed. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, a party or nonparty ordered to produce documents or any of the items under this paragraph (b)(1) shall file and serve the documents and items listed in the order within twenty (20) days from the date of service of the order, or within such period of time as the decisionmaking official may direct. The decisionmaking official may issue subpoenas to compel the production by parties or non-parties of such documents and tangible things as are described in this section.

(2) Trade secrets, commercially sensitive or confidential information. If any party or person against whom an order to produce has been directed acting in good faith has reason to believe that any documents or other tangible thing ordered to be produced contains a trade secret, or commercially sensitive or other confidential information, the party or person may, in lieu of serving any such document, in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of this section, file and serve a written request for confidential treatment of such documents. Any such request for confidential treatment shall be accompanied by a verified statement identifying with particularity the information on those documents considered to be trade secrets, commercially sensitive or confidential information, with reasons therefor, and indicating which portions, if any, of those documents may be served on other parties without disclosure of such information. Upon considering a request for confidential treatment in accordance with this paragraph (b)(2), the decisionmaking official may, if upon a finding that the information identified in the request warrants confidential treatment and is not probative of any material fact in controversy, make copies of the documents produced, delete such information from the copies, and serve the copies as modified upon the other parties, with or without an appropriate protective order limiting dissemination to the parties and their counsel, if any.

(3) Inability to produce. Any party or person who cannot produce documents or other tangible things called for in an order for production, because those documents or things are not in their possession, custody, or control, shall file and serve within the time provided in paragraph (b)(1) of this section a verified statement identifying the documents which cannot be produced and setting forth with particularity the reasons for non-production.

(c) Order for written testimony. The decisionmaking official may, upon the official's own motion, order a party or non-party witness to submit verified statements or written responses to interrogatories, or both, as to all relevant matters within the party's personal knowledge which are required in response to the order. A party or person ordered to file affidavits and/or verified written responses to interrogatories shall file and serve the documents within such period of time as the decisionmaking official may direct. The official may issue subpoenas to compel the filing by parties or non-parties of such verified statements and written responses as are described in this paragraph (c).

§ 12.35 Consequences of a party's failure to comply with a discovery order.

If a party fails to comply with an order compelling discovery, or an order issued pursuant to § 12.34, the official assigned to render the decision in the case may, upon motion by a party or on the official's own motion, take such action in regard thereto as is just, including but not limited to the following:

(a) Infer that the documents or things not produced would have been adverse to the party;

(b) Rule that for the purposes of the proceeding the information in or contents of the documents or things not produced be taken as established adversely to the party;

(c) Rule that the party may not be heard to object to introduction and use of secondary evidence to show what the withheld documents or other evidence would have shown;

(d) Rule that a pleading, or part of a pleading, or a motion or other submission by the party, to which the order for production related, be stricken;

(e) Dismiss the entire proceeding with prejudice to matters alleged in the complaint, but without prejudice to counterclaims; and

(f) Issue a default order and render a decision against the party, whose rights shall thereafter be determined by §§ 12.22 and 12.23 of these rules.

§ 12.36 Subpoenas to compel discovery.

An application for a subpoena requiring a party or non-party to comply with a discovery order issued pursuant to §§ 12.31 and 12.32, may be made, in writing, by any party without notice to other parties, and may be filed simultaneously with the motion for the discovery order. The standards for issuance or denial of such an application, the service requirement, and the method for enforcing such subpoenas shall be determined by the provisions of § 12.313 of these rules.

§ 12.100 Scope and applicability of rules.

(a) In general. The rules set forth in this subpart are applicable only to proceedings forwarded pursuant to § 12.26(a) of the Reparation Rules. The rules of subpart B permitting discovery are applicable in a voluntary decisional proceeding. Unless specifically made applicable, the rules prescribed in subparts D, E, and F shall not apply in a voluntary decisional proceeding.

(b) Waiver by electing the voluntary decisional procedure. By electing the voluntary decisional procedure, parties waive the opportunity for an oral hearing and whatever rights they may have otherwise had: to receive a written statement of the findings of fact upon which the final decision is based; to prejudgment interest in connection with a reparation award; to appeal to the Commission the final decision; and to appeal the final decision to a U.S. Court of Appeals pursuant to section 14(e) of the Commodity Exchange Act, 7 U.S.C. 18(e).

§ 12.101 Functions and responsibilities of the Administrative Judge.

The Administrative Judge shall be responsible for the fair and orderly conduct of the proceeding and shall have the authority:

(a) To rule upon discovery-related motions, and to take such action pursuant to § 12.35 as is appropriate if a party fails to comply with a discovery order;

(b) To issue orders for the production of documents and tangible things and orders for written testimony, as provided in § 12.34;

(c) To issue subpoenas pursuant to § 12.34 and § 12.36;

(d) To issue orders of default for good cause shown against any party who fails to participate in the proceeding, or to comply with any provisions of these rules;

(e) To receive submissions of proof;

(f) Make the final decision in accordance with § 12.106 of these rules; and

(g) Issue such orders as are necessary and appropriate to effectuate the orderly conduct of the proceeding.

§ 12.102 Disqualification of Administrative Judge.

(a) At their own request. An Administrative Judge may withdraw from a voluntary decisional proceeding when they consider themselves to be disqualified on the grounds of personal bias, conflict of interest, or similar bases. In such event the Administrative Judge shall immediately notify the Commission and each of the parties of the withdrawal and of the basis for such action.

(b) Upon the request of a party. Any party may request an Administrative Judge to disqualify themselves on the grounds of personal bias, conflict of interest, or similar bases. Interlocutory review of an adverse ruling by the Administrative Judge may be sought without certification of the matter by the Administrative Judge only in accordance with the procedures set forth in § 12.309.

§ 12.103 Filing of documents; subscription; service.

Except as otherwise specifically provided in these rules, all documents filed in a voluntary decisional proceeding, including (but not limited to) amended or supplemental pleadings, motions, discovery requests and responses thereto, and submissions of proof, shall meet the requirements of §§ 12.11 and 12.12 of the Reparation Rules as to form, and shall be filed and served in accordance with § 12.10 of the Reparation Rules.

§ 12.104 Amendments to pleadings; motions.

(a) Amendments and supplemental pleadings. At any time prior to the issuance of the final decision, the parties may, by unanimous express written consent, amend or supplement the pleadings. Supplemental pleadings may set forth transactions or occurrences or events which have happened since the date of the pleadings to be amended or supplemented, and which are relevant to any of the issues involved.

(b) Motions. Except as specifically permitted by rule in this subpart, motions, other than discovery-related motions and motions relating to procedural orders, shall be prohibited. Motions for procedural orders, including motions for extension of time, may be acted upon at any time.

§ 12.105 Submission of proof only in documentary or tangible form.

Proof in support of the complaint and in support of the respondent's answer (including counterclaims, if any), and any reply thereto, may be found in those verified documents, in verified statements of non-party witnesses, in other verified statements of fact, and in other documents and tangible evidence. No oral testimony by, or examination of, the parties or their witnesses shall be permitted.

§ 12.106 Final decision and order.

(a) When a final decision is required. After all submissions of proof have been received, the Administrative Judge shall make the final decision. Upon its issuance, the final decision shall forthwith be filed with the Proceedings Clerk, and immediately served on the parties. The Proceedings Clerk shall also serve a notice, to accompany the final decision, of the effect of a failure by a party ordered to pay a reparation award to file the documents required by § 12.407(c).

(b) Content of final decision. The final decision shall contain:

(1) A briefly stated conclusion, not accompanied by findings of fact, as to whether the respondent violated any provision of the Act, Commission's regulations or orders, resulting in damages to the complainant; and

(2) If one or more counterclaims have been permitted in the proceeding, a brief conclusion, not accompanied by findings of fact, as to whether the complainant is liable to the respondent for such counterclaims; and

(3) A determination of the amount of damages, if any, sustained by complainant or respondent in connection with reparation claims or counterclaims, and an order against a party found liable for damages directing that party to pay an award. An award in favor of the complainant shall not exceed the amount of damages in the complaint (including any amendment thereto), and an award in favor of a respondent shall not exceed the amount of damages claimed in a counterclaim (including any amendment thereto).

A conclusion made pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) of this section shall not be deemed a finding of the Commission for the purposes of Section 8a of the Commodity Exchange Act.

(c) No assessment of prejudgment interest or costs; assessment of post-judgment interest. A party found liable for damages in a voluntary decisional proceeding shall not be assessed prejudgment interest, attorney's fees, or costs (other than the filing fee and costs assessed as a sanction for abuse of discovery). Post-judgment interest shall be awarded at a rate determined in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 1961(a).

(d) Effect of final decision and order: No appeal. A party may not appeal to the Commission a final decision issued pursuant to subpart C of these rules. In accordance with the election and waivers described in § 12.100(b), a final decision may not be appealed to a U.S. Court of Appeals pursuant to section 14(e) of the Commodity Exchange Act, but a final decision shall be recognized as a final order of the Commission for all other purposes including the judicial enforcement of an award made in connection with the final decision pursuant to section 14(d) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

(e) Effective date of final decision. A final decision and order shall become effective thirty (30) days after service, unless the Commission pursuant to § 12.403 takes review of the decision on its own motion on or before the thirtieth day. Any reparation award ordered in a final decision pursuant to this rule shall be satisfied in full within forty-five (45) days after service thereof, unless the Commission pursuant to § 12.403(b) stays the duty of satisfaction. Any party who fails timely to satisfy such an award is subject to the automatic suspension provisions of § 12.407(c).

§ 12.200 Scope and applicability of this subpart.

The rules set forth in this subpart are applicable only to proceedings forwarded pursuant to § 12.26(b). The rules in subpart B of this part permitting discovery are applicable in a summary decisional proceeding. Unless specifically made applicable, the rules prescribed in subparts C and E of this part shall not apply to such proceedings. Parties to a proceeding forwarded pursuant to § 12.26(b) may, by signed agreement filed at any time prior to the issuance of the initial decision, or of any other order disposing of all issues in the proceeding, elect to have all of the issues in the proceeding decided pursuant to the voluntary decisional procedure. Upon receiving a timely filed stipulation signed by all parties evidencing such an election, the Administrative Judge shall conduct the proceeding and render a decision pursuant to subpart C of this part.

§ 12.201 Functions and responsibilities of the Administrative Judge.

The Administrative Judge shall be responsible for the fair and orderly conduct of the proceeding and shall have the authority—

(a) In the Administrative Judge's discretion, to conduct pre-decision conferences in accordance with § 12.206;

(b) To rule upon all discovery-related motions, and to take such action pursuant to § 12.35 as is appropriate if a party fails to comply with a discovery order;

(c) To issue orders for the production of documents and tangible things and orders for written testimony, as provided in § 12.34 of these rules;

(d) To take such action as is appropriate under § 12.35, if a party fails to comply with an order issued by the Administrative Judge pursuant to § 12.34;

(e) To rule on all motions permitted pursuant to § 12.205;

(f) To issue default orders for good cause against parties who fail to participate in the proceeding or to comply with these rules;

(g) If an oral hearing is ordered, to preside at the hearing, which shall include the authority to receive relevant evidence, to administer oaths and affirmations, to examine witnesses, and to rule on offers of proof;

(h) To issue subpoenas in accordance with the provisions of §§ 12.34, 12.36 and 12.209 of these rules;

(i) To make the initial decision in accordance with § 12.210 of these rules; and

(j) To issue such orders as are necessary and appropriate to effectuate the orderly conduct of the proceeding.

§ 12.202 Disqualification of Administrative Judge.

(a) At their own request. An Administrative Judge may withdraw from a summary decisional proceeding when they consider themselves to be disqualified on the grounds of personal bias, conflict of interest, or similar bases. In such event, the Administrative Judge shall immediately notify the Commission and each of the parties of the withdrawal and of the basis for such action.

(b) Upon the request of a party. Any party may request an Administrative Judge to disqualify themselves on the grounds of personal bias, conflict of interest, or similar bases. Interlocutory review of an order denying such a request may be sought without certification of the matter by the Administrative Judge only in accordance with the procedures set forth in § 12.309.

§ 12.203 Filing of documents; subscription; service.

Except as otherwise specifically provided in these rules, all documents filed in a summary decisional proceeding, including (but not limited to) amended or supplemental pleadings, motions, discovery notices and responses thereto, documents produced or filed pursuant to § 12.34 of these rules, and submissions of proof, shall meet the requirements of §§ 12.11 and 12.12 of these rules as to form, and shall be filed and served in accordance with § 12.10 of the Reparation Rules.

§ 12.204 Amended and supplemental pleadings.

(a) Amendments to pleadings. At any time before the parties have concluded their submission of proof, the Administrative Judge may allow amendments of the pleadings either upon written consent of the parties, or for good cause shown, provided however, that any pleading as amended shall not contain an allegation of damages in excess of $30,000. Any party may file a response to a motion to amend the pleadings within ten (10) days after the date of service upon that party of the motion.

(b) Supplemental pleadings. At any time before the parties have concluded their submissions of proof, and upon such terms as are just, the Administrative Judge may, upon motion by a party, permit a party to serve a supplemental pleading setting forth transactions, occurrences or events which have happened since the date of the pleadings sought to be supplemented and which are relevant to any of the issues in the proceeding: Provided however, that any pleading as supplemented may not contain an allegation of damages in excess of $30,000. Any party may file a response to a motion to supplement the pleadings within ten (10) days after the date of service upon that party of the motion.

(c) Pleadings to conform to the evidence. When issues not raised by the pleadings but reasonably within the scope of a summary decisional proceeding are tried with the express or implied consent of the parties, they shall be treated in all respects as if they had been raised in the pleadings.

§ 12.205 Motions.

(a) In general. Motions for relief not otherwise specifically provided for in this subpart (§§ 12.200 through 12.210), other than discovery-related motions and motions for extensions of time and similar procedural orders, shall not be allowed. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this subpart, all motions permitted under the provisions of this subpart shall be directed to the Administrative Judge prior to the filing of the initial decision, and to the Commission after the initial decision has been filed. Motions for extensions of time and similar procedural orders may be acted upon at any time, without awaiting a response thereto. Any party adversely affected by such action may request reconsideration, vacation or modification of such action.

(b) Answer to motions. Any party may serve and file a written response to a motion within ten (10) days after service of the motion, or within such longer or shorter period as is established by the provisions of this part, or as the Administrative Judge or the Commission may direct.

(c) Dismissal —(1) By the Administrative Judge. An Administrative Judge, acting upon their own motion, may:

(i) Dismiss the entire proceeding without prejudice to counterclaims, if the Administrative Judge finds that the matters alleged in the complaint fail to state a claim cognizable in reparations; or

(ii) Order dismissal of any claim, counterclaim, or party from the proceeding if the Administrative Judge finds, after review of the record, that such claim or counterclaim (by itself or as applied to any party) is not cognizable in reparations.

(2) Motion for dismissal by a party. Any party who believes that grounds exist for dismissal of the entire complaint, or of any claim therein, or of any counterclaim or party from the proceeding, may file a motion for dismissal specifying the claims or parties to be dismissed and the reasons therefor. Upon consideration of the whole record, the Administrative Judge may grant or deny such motion, in whole or in part.

(3) Content and effect of order of dismissal. Any order of dismissal entered pursuant to this rule shall contain a brief statement of the findings and conclusions which serve as the basis for the order. An order of dismissal of the entire proceeding pursuant to this rule shall have the effect of an initial decision (see § 12.213(d)), and may be appealed to the Commission in accordance with the requirements of § 12.401 of these rules.

§ 12.206 Pre-decision conferences.

(a) At any time after a summary decisional proceeding has been commenced pursuant to § 12.26(b), the Administrative Judge may, in their discretion, conduct one or more pre-decision conferences to be held in Washington, DC, or by telephone, with all parties, for the purposes of:

(1) Discussing the advisability of electing the voluntary decisional procedure;

(2) Encouraging settlement of the entire case, or any part thereof, (such discussions may be ex parte with the consent of all parties);

(3) Simplifying or clarifying issues;

(4) Obtaining stipulations, admissions of fact and of authenticity of documents;

(5) Discussing amendments or supplements to the pleadings;

(6) Encouraging an early settlement of disputes relating to discovery; and

(7) Discussing any matters of relevance in the proceeding.

(b) At or following the conclusion of such a conference, the Administrative Judge may serve a pre-decision memorandum and order setting forth the agreements, if any, reached by the parties, any procedural determinations made by the Administrative Judge, and the issues for resolution not disposed of by the admissions or agreements by the parties. Such order, when issued, shall control the subsequent course of the proceeding unless modified to prevent injustice.

§ 12.207 Summary disposition.

(a) Filing of motions, answers. Any parties who believe that there is no genuine issue of material fact to be determined and that they are entitled to a decision as a matter of law concerning all issues of liability in the proceeding may file a motion for summary disposition at any time until the parties have concluded their submissions of proof. Any adverse party, within ten (10) days after service of the motion, may file and serve opposing papers or may countermove for summary disposition.

(b) Supporting papers. A motion for summary disposition shall include a statement of the material facts as to which the moving party contends there is no genuine issue, supported by the pleadings, and by affidavits, other verified statements, admissions, stipulations, and interrogatories. The motion may also be supported by briefs containing points and authorities in support of the contention of the party making the motion. When a motion is made and supported as provided in this section, unless otherwise ordered by the Administrative Judge, adverse parties may not rest upon the mere allegations, but shall serve and file in response a statement setting forth those material facts as to which they contend a genuine issue exists, supported by affidavits and other verified material. They may also submit a brief of points and authorities.

(c) Summary disposition upon motion of the Administrative Judge. If the Administrative Judge believes that there may be no genuine issue of material fact to be determined and that one of the parties may be entitled to a decision as a matter of law, the Administrative Judge may direct the parties to submit papers in support of and in opposition to summary disposition, substantially as provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.

(d) Ruling on summary disposition. The Administrative Judge may grant summary disposition if the undisputed pleaded facts, affidavits, other verified statements, admissions, stipulations, and matters of official notice show that:

(1) There is no genuine issue as to any material fact;

(2) There is no necessity that further facts be developed in the record; and

(3) A party is entitled to a decision in that party's favor as a matter of law.

(e) Review of ruling; appeal. An application for interlocutory review of an order denying a motion for summary disposition shall not be allowed. An order granting summary disposition as to all of the issues and all of the parties in the proceeding shall have the same effect as an initial decision (see § 12.210(d)), and may be appealed to the Commission, in accordance with § 12.401 of these rules.

§ 12.208 Submissions of proof.

(a) Documentary evidence. Each party may file and serve verified statements of fact and affidavits of non-party witnesses with personal knowledge of the facts which they aver to be true. Proof in support of the complaint and in support of the respondent's answer may be found in those verified documents, in affidavits of non-party witnesses, in other verified statements of fact, and in other documents and tangible exhibits.

(b) Oral testimony and examination. The Administrative Judge may order an oral hearing for the presentation of testimony and examination of the parties and their witnesses when appropriate and necessary for the resolution of factual issues, upon motion by either a party or the Administrative Judge. An oral hearing held under this section will be convened by conference telephone call as provided in § 12.209(b), except that an in-person hearing may be held in Washington, DC, under the circumstances set forth in § 12.209(c).