(e) "Respondent" means a person or organization against whom sanctions are proposed because of alleged violations of Executive Order 11246, as amended, and rules, regulations, and orders thereunder.

(f) "General Counsel" means "General Counsel, Maritime Administration”.

(g) "Hearing clerk" means "Secretary, Maritime Administration”. [36 F.R. 5906, Mar. 31, 1971, as amended at 36 F.R. 7218, Apr. 16, 1971]

§ 14.4 Time computation.

In computing any period of time under these rules or in an order issued hereunder, the time begins with the day following the act or event, and includes the last day of the period, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday observed in the District of Columbia, in which event it includes the next following business day. When the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than 7 days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays shall be excluded from the computation.

DESIGNATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF HEARING EXAMINER

§ 14.5 Designation.

Hearings shall be held before a hearing examiner designated by the Secretary. In the case of the death, illness, disqualification, or unavailability of the designated hearing examiner, another hearing examiner may be designated in his place.

§ 14.6 Authority and responsibilities.

(a) The hearing examiner shall have the duty to conduct a fair and impartial hearing, to take all necessary action to avoid delay, and to maintain order. He shall have all powers necessary to those ends, including, but not limited to, the power to:

(1) Hold conferences to settle, simplify, or fix the issues in a proceeding, or to consider other matters that may aid in the expeditious disposition of the proceeding.

(2) Require parties to state their position with respect to the various issues in the proceeding.

(3) Establish rules for media coverage of the proceedings.

(4) Rule on motions, and other procedural items in matters before him.

(5) Regulate the course of the hearing, the conduct of counsel, parties, and other participants.

(6) Examine witnesses and direct witnesses to testify.

(7) Receive, rule on, exclude, or limit evidence.

(8) Fix time limits for submission of written documents in matters before him.

(9) Take any action authorized by these Rules.

(10) Upon notice to all parties, modify or waive any rule upon a determination that no party will be prejudiced and that the ends of justice will thereby be served.

(b) The hearing examiner shall recommend a decision on the basis of the record before him. Together with his recommended decision, he shall propose findings of fact and conclusions of law to the Secretary.

APPEARANCE AND PRACTICE

§ 14.7 Participation by a party.

A party may appear in person, by representative, or by counsel, and participate fully in any proceeding held pursuant to these Rules.

§ 14.8 Determination of parties.

(a) The Respondent and the General Counsel, Maritime Administration are the initial parties to the proceeding. To the extent that proceedings hereunder are based in whole or in part on matters subject to a collective bargaining agreement, any labor organization which is a signatory to the agreement shall also have the right to participate as a party.

(b) Other persons or organizations shall have the right to participate as parties if the final decision could directly and adversely affect them or the class they represent, and if they may contribute materially to the disposition of the proceedings.

(c) Any person or organization wishing to participate as a party under this section shall submit a petition to the hearing examiner within 15 days after the notice has been filed. The petition should be filed with the hearing clerk and served on Respondent, on the General Counsel and on any other person or organization who has been made a party at the time of filing. Such petition shall concisely state: (1) Petitioner's interest in the proceeding, (2) how his participation as a party will contribute materially to the disposition of the proceeding, (3) who will appear for petitioner, (4) the issues on which petitioner wishes to participate, and (5) whether petitioner intends to present witnesses.

(d) The hearing examiner shall promptly ascertain whether there are objections to the petition. He shall then determine whether petitioners have the requisite interest to be a party in the proceedings, as defined in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, and shall permit or deny participation accordingly. Where petitions to participate as parties are made by individuals or groups with common interests, the hearing examiner may request all such petitioners to designate a single representative, or he may recognize one or more of such petitioners to represent all such petitioners; provided that the representative of a labor organization qualifying to participate under paragraph (a) of this section must be permitted to participate as a party. The hearing examiner shall give each such petitioner written notice of the decision on his petition. If the petition is denied, he shall briefly state the grounds for denial and shall then treat the petition as a request for participation as amicus curiae. The hearing examiner shall give written notice to each party of each petition granted.

(e) Persons or organizations whose petition for party participation is denied may appeal the decision to the Secretary within 7 days of receipt of denial. The Secretary will make the final decision to grant or deny the petition.

§ 14.9 Determination and participation of amici.

(a) Any interested person or organization wishing to participate as amicus curiae in the proceeding shall file a petition before the commencement of the hearing. Such petition shall concisely state the petitioner's interest in the hearing and who will represent petitioner.

(b) The hearing examiner will grant the petition if he finds that the petitioner has an interest in the proceedings and may contribute materially to the disposition of the proceedings. The hearing examiner shall give the petitioner written notice of the decision on his petition. If the petition is denied, the hearing examiner shall briefly state the grounds for denial. The hearing examiner shall give written notice to each party of each petition granted.

(c) An amicus curiae is not a party but may only participate as provided in paragraph (d) of this section.

(d) An amicus curiae may submit a written statement of position to the hearing examiner at any time prior to

(a) All documents submitted in a proceeding shall be served on all parties. The original and two copies of each document shall be submitted to the hearing clerk for filing. With respect to exhibits and transcripts of testimony, only originals need be filed.

(b) Service upon a party or amicus shall be made by delivering one copy of each document requiring service in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested, properly addressed with postage prepaid to the party or amicus or his attorney, or designated representative. Filing will be made in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the hearing clerk, at the address stated in the notice of hearing.

(c) The date of filing or of service shall be the day when the matter is deposited in the U.S. mail or is delivered in person.

(d) A copy of all documents submitted in a proceeding shall be sent to the hearing examiner.

In response to Respondent's request for a hearing, the General Counsel shall serve on the Respondent, pursuant to 41 CFR 60-1.26(b) (1), a notice of hearing by registered mail, return receipt requested, to Respondent's last known address. Such notice shall contain the time and place of the hearing; the legal authority under which the proceedings are to be held; and the matters pursuant to which sanctions or other actions are proposed.

§ 14.14 Answer to notice.

Within 15 days after receipt of the notice of hearing, Respondent may file an answer. This answer shall admit or deny specifically and in detail matters set forth in each allegation of the notice unless Respondent is without knowledge, in which case his answer should so state, and the statement shall be deemed a denial. Matters not specifically denied shall be deemed admitted. Matters alleged in the answer as affirmative defenses shall be separately stated and numbered. Failure of Respondent to file an answer within the 15-day period following receipt of the notice may be deemed an admission of all facts recited in the notice. § 14.15

Amendments.

Motions and petitions shall state the relief sought, the basis for relief and the authority relied upon. If made before or after the hearing itself, these matters shall be in writing. If made at the hearing, they may be stated orally; but the hearing examiner may require that they be reduced to writing and filed and served on all parties in the same manner as a formal motion. Within 8 days after a written motion or petition is served, any party may file a response to a mo

tion or petition. An immediate oral response may be made to an oral motion. Oral argument on motions will be at the discretion of the hearing examiner.

§ 14.17

Disposition of motions.

The hearing examiner may not grant a written motion or petition prior to expiration of the time for filing responses thereto, but may overrule or deny such motion or petition without awaiting response: Provided, however, That prehearing conferences, hearings, and decisions need not be delayed pending disposition of motions or petitions. Oral motions and petitions may be ruled on immediately.

§ 14.18 Interlocutory appeals.

No interlocutory appeals will be permitted from an adverse ruling except as specifically provided in these rules.

Not later than 25 days prior to the date of the hearing any party may serve upon an opposing party a written request for the admission of the genuineness and authenticity of any relevant documents described in, and exhibited with, the request, or for the admission of the truth of any relevant matters of fact stated in the request. Each of the matters as to which an admission is requested shall be deemed admitted, unless within a period of 20 days, the party to whom the request is directed serves upon the requesting party a statement either (a) denying specifically the matters as to which an admission is requested, or (b) setting forth in detail the reasons why he cannot truthfully either admit or deny such matters.

items; or by permission to enter property, for inspection and other purposes.

(b) Scope. Parties may obtain discovery regarding any matter, not privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter involved in the hearing.

(c) Protective orders. Upon motion by a party or by the person from whom discovery is sought, and for good cause shown, the hearing examiner may make any order which justice requires to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense.

(d) Sequence and timing. Methods of discovery may be used in any sequence. The fact that a party is conducting discovery shall not operate to delay any other party's discovery.

(e) Time limit. Discovery by all parties will be completed within 75 days from the date the notice of hearing is served on Respondent.

(a) After the notice of hearing has been filed, any party may take the testimony of any person, including a party, by deposition upon oral examination. This may be done by stipulation or by notice, as set forth in paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) (1) The party will give reasonable notice in writing to every other party of the time and place for taking depositions, the name and address of each person to be examined, if known, or a general description sufficient to identify him or the particular class or group to which he belongs.

(2) The notice to a deponent may be accompanied by a request for the production of documents and tangible things at the taking of the deposition.

(3) A party may name as the deponent a corporation, partnership, association, or governmental agency and may designate a particular person within the organization whose testimony is desired and the matters on which examination is requested. If no particular person is named, the organization shall designate one or more agents to testify on its behalf, and may set forth the matters on which each will testify. The persons so designated shall testify as to matters known or reasonably available to the organization.

(c) Examination and cross-examination of witnesses may proceed as permitted at the hearing. The officer before whom the deposition is to be taken shall

put the witness on oath and shall personally record the testimony of the witness.

(d) If during the taking of a deposition there is bad faith in the conduct of the examination, annoyance, embarrassment, oppression of a deponent or party or improper questions propounded, a party or deponent may request suspension of the deposition. The deposition will then be adjourned. However, the objecting party or deponent must immediately move the hearing examiner for a ruling on the suspension. The hearing examiner may then limit the scope and/ or manner of the taking of the deposition.

(e) The officer shall certify the deposition and promptly file it with the hearing clerk. Documents or true copies of documents and other items produced for inspection during the examination of the witness, shall, upon the request of a party, be marked for identification and annexed to the deposition.

(f) The party taking the deposition shall give prompt notice of its filing to all other parties.

§ 14.23

Use of depositions at hearing.

(a) Any part or all of a deposition, so far as admissible under § 14.31 applied as though the witness were then present and testifying, may be used against any party who was present or represented at the taking of the deposition or who had reasonable notice thereof as follows:

(1) Any deposition may be used for contradiction or impeachment of the deponent as a witness.

(2) The deposition of a party, or of an agent designated to testify on behalf of a party, may be used by an adverse party for any purpose.

(3) The deposition of any witness may be used if the party offering the deposition has been unable to procure his attendance or if he is unable to testify by reason of age; illness; infirmity; imprisonment; death, his residence outside the State or if he is out of the country, unless his absence was procured by the party offering his deposition.

(b) If only part of a deposition is offered in evidence, the remainder becomes subject to introduction by any party.

(c) Objection may be made at the hearing to receiving in evidence any deposition or part thereof for any reason which would require the exclusion

of the evidence if the witness were then present and testifying.

§ 14.24 Interrogatories to parties.

(a) Any party may serve upon any other party written interrogatories after the notice of hearing has been filed. If the party served is a corporation, partnership, association, or governmental agency, an agent shall furnish such information as is available to the party.

(b) Each interrogatory shall be answered separately and fully in writing under oath, unless it is objected to, in which event the objection shall be stated in lieu of an answer. The answers are to be signed by the person making them, and the objections signed by the attorney or other representative making them. Answers and objections shall be made within 30 days after the service of the interrogatories. The party submitting the interrogatories may move for an order under section 14.26 with respect to any objection to or other failure to answer an interrogatory.

(c) Interrogatories shall relate to any matter not privileged which is relevant to the subject matter of the hearing. § 14.25

Production of documents and things and entry upon land for inspection and other purposes.

(a) After the notice of hearing has been filed, any party may serve on any other party a request to produce and/or permit the party, or someone acting on his behalf, to inspect and copy any designated documents, phonorecords, and other data compilations from which information can be obtained and which are in the possession, custody or control of the party upon whom the request is served. If necessary, translation of data compilations shall be done by the party furnishing the information.

(b) After the notice of hearing has been filed, any party may serve on any other party a request to permit entry upon designated property in the possession or control of the party upon whom the request is served for the purpose of inspection, measuring, surveying or photographing, testing, or sampling the property or any designated object.

(c) Each request shall set forth with reasonable particularity the items to be inspected and shall specify a reasonable time, place, and manner of making the inspection and performing the related acts.