in the District of Columbia, it shall be moved therefrom only by order of the Commission.

(d) If the Commission specifies that a hearing is to commence at a field location, all appropriate proceedings will be completed at such location before the hearing is moved therefrom. When such proceedings are completed, the presiding officer may move the hearing from the field location specified to another appropriate field location or to the District of Columbia.

§ 1.254 Nature of the hearing; burden of proof.

Any hearing upon an application shall be a full hearing in which the applicant and all other parties in interest shall be permitted to participate but in which both the burden of proceeding with the introduction of evidence upon any issue specified by the Commission, as well as the burden of proof upon all such issues, shall be upon the applicant except as otherwise provided in the order of designation.

(Sec. 309, 48 Stat. 1085, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 309)

§ 1.255 Order of procedure.

(a) At hearings on a formal complaint or petition or in a proceeding for any instrument of authorization which the Commission is empowered to issue, the complainant, petitioner, or applicant, as the case may be, shall, unless the Commission otherwise orders, open and close. At hearings on protests, the protestant opens and closes the proceedings in case the issues are not specifically adopted by the Commission; otherwise the grantee does so. At hearings on orders to show cause, to cease and desist, to revoke or modify a station license under sections 312 and 316 of the Communications Act, or other like proceedings instituted by the Commission, the Commission shall open and close.

(b) At all hearings under Title II of the Communications Act, other than hearings on formal complaints, petitions, or applications, the respondent shall open and close unless otherwise specified by the Commission.

(c) In all other cases, the Commission or presiding officer shall designate the order of presentation. Intervenors shall follow the party in whose behalf intervention is made, and in all cases where the intervention is not in support of an original party, the Commission or presiding officer shall designate at what stage such intervenors shall be heard. [28 FR 12425, Nov. 22, 1963, as amended at 33 FR 463, Jan. 12, 1968]

§1.258 Closing of the hearing.

The record of hearing shall be closed by an announcement to that effect at the hearing by the presiding officer when the taking of testimony has been concluded. In the discretion of the presiding officer, the record may be closed as of a future specified date in order to permit the admission into the record of exhibits to be prepared: Provided, The parties to the proceeding stipulate on the record that they waive the opportunity to cross-examine or present evidence with respect to such exhibits. The record in any hearing which has been adjourned may not be closed by such officer prior to the day on which the hearing is to resume, except upon 10 days' notice to all parties to the proceeding.

§ 1.260 Certification of transcript.

After the close of the hearing, the complete transcript of testimony, together with all exhibits, shall be certified as to

identity by the presiding officer and filed in the office of the Secretary of the Commission. Notice of such certification shall be served on all parties to the proceedings.

§ 1.261 Corrections to transcript.

At any time during the course of the proceeding, or as directed by the presiding officer, but not later than 10 days after the date of notice of certification of the transcript, any party to the proceeding may file with the presiding officer a motion requesting the correction of the transcript, which motion shall be accompanied by proof of service thereof upon all other parties to the proceeding. Within 5 days after the filing of such a motion, other parties may file a pleading in support of or in opposition to such motion. Thereafter, the presiding officer shall, by order, specify the corrections to be made in the transcript, and a copy of the order shall be served upon all parties and made a part of the record. The presiding officer, on his own initiative, may specify corrections to be made in the transcript on 5 days' notice.

[40 FR 51441, Nov. 5, 1975]

§ 1.263 Proposed findings and conclusions.

(a) Each party to the proceeding may file proposed findings of fact and conclusions, briefs, or memoranda of law: Provided, however, That the presiding officer may direct any party other than Commission counsel to file proposed findings of fact and conclusions, briefs, or memoranda of law. Such proposed findings of fact, conclusions, briefs, and memoranda of law shall be filed within 20 days after the record is closed, unless additional time is allowed.

(b) All pleadings and other papers filed pursuant to this section shall be accompanied by proof of service thereof upon all other counsel in the proceeding; if a party is not represented by counsel, proof of service upon such party shall be made. (c) In the absence of a showing of good cause therefor, the failure to file proposed findings of fact, conclusions, briefs, or memoranda of law, when directed to do so, may be deemed a waiver of the right to participate further in the proceeding. (5 U.S.C. 557)

§ 1.264 Contents of findings of fact and conclusions.

Proposed findings of fact shall be set forth in serially numbered paragraphs and shall set out in detail and with particularity all basic evidentiary facts developed on the record (with appropriate citations to the transcript of record or exhibit relied on for each evidentiary fact) supporting the conclusions proposed by the party filing same. Proposed conclusions shall be separately stated. Proposed findings of fact and conclusions submitted by a person other than an applicant may be limited to those issues in connection with the hearing which affect the interests of such person.

(5 U.S.C. 557)

§ 1.267 Initial and recommended decisions.

(a) Except as provided in this paragraph, in § 1.94, 1.251 and 1.274, or where the proceeding is terminated on motion (see § 1.302), the presiding officer shall prepare an initial (or recommended) decision, which shall be transmitted to the Secretary of the Commission. In the case of rate making proceedings conducted under sections 201-205 of the Communications Act, the presumption shall be that the presiding officer shall prepare an initial or recommended decision. The

Secretary will make the decision public immediately and file it in the docket of the case.

(b) Each initial and recommended decision shall contain findings of fact and conclusions, as well as the reasons or basis therefor, upon all the material issues of fact, law, or discretion presented on the record; each initial decision shall also contain the appropriate rule or order, and the sanction, relief or denial thereof; and each recommended decision shall contain recommendations as to what disposition of the case should be made by the Commission. Each initial decision will show the date upon which it will become effective in accordance with the rules in this part in the absence of exceptions, appeal, or review.

(c) The authority of the Presiding Officer over the proceedings shall cease when he has filed his Initial or Recommended Decision, or if it is a case in which he is to file no decision, when he has certified the case for decision: Provided, however, That he shall retain limited jurisdiction over the proceeding for the purpose of effecting certification of the transcript and corrections to the transcript, as provided in § 1.260 and 1.261, respectively, and for the purpose of ruling initially on applications for awards of fees and expenses under the Equal Access to Justice Act.

(Sec. 409, 48 Stat. 1096, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 409, 5 U.S.C. 557; secs. 4, 303, 307, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1082, 1083: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 307)

[28 FR 12425, Nov. 22, 1963, as amended at 41 FR 14873, Apr. 8, 1976; 47 FR 3786, Jan. 27, 1982]

REVIEW PROCEEDINGS

§ 1.271 Delegation of review function.

The Commission may direct, by order or rule, that its review function in a case or category of cases be performed by a commissioner, a panel of commissioners, or by the Review Board, in which event the commissioner, panel, or board shall exercise the authority and perform the functions which would otherwise have been performed by the Commission under § 1.273 through 1.282.

Note: Parties to any proceeding designated for hearing prior to August 31, 1961, are entitled to file exceptions to initial decisions with the Commission and to oral argument before the Commission en banc.

(Sec. 5, 48 Stat. 1068, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 155)

§ 1.273 Waiver of initial or recommended decision.

At the conclusion of the hearing or within 20 days thereafter, all parties to the proceeding may agree to waive an initial or recommended decision, and may request that the Commission issue a final decision or order in the case. If the Commission has directed that its review function in the case be performed by a commissioner, a panel of commissioners, or by the Review Board, the request shall be directed to the appropriate review authority. The Commission or such review authority may in its discretion grant the request, in whole or in part, if such action will best conduce to the proper dispatch of business and to the ends of justice.

§ 1.274 Certification of the record to the Commission for initial or final decision.

(a) Where the presiding officer is available to the Commission, and where the Commission finds upon the record that due and timely execution of its functions imperatively and

unavoidably so requires, the Commission may direct that the record in a pending proceeding be certified to it for initial or final decision. Unless the Commission finds that due and timely execution of its functions imperatively and unavoidably requires that no recommended decision be issued, the presiding officer will prepare and file a recommended decision, which will be released with the Commission's initial or final decision. (b) Where the presiding officer becomes unavailable to the Commission after the taking of testimony has been concluded, the Commission may direct that the record in a pending proceeding be certified to it for initial or final decision. In that event, the record shall be certified to the Commission by the Chief Administrative Law Judge.

(c)(1) Where the presiding officer becomes unavailable to the Commission after the taking of evidence has commenced but before it has been concluded, the Commission may order a rehearing before another presiding officer designated in accordance with § 1.241.

(2) Upon a finding that due and timely execution of its functions imperatively and unavoidably so requires, the Commission may (as an alternative) order that the hearing be continued by another presiding officer designated in accordance with § 1.241 or by the Commission itself. In that event, the officer continuing the hearing shall, upon completion of the hearing, certify the proceeding to the Commission for an initial or final decision. Unless the Commission finds upon the record that due and timely execution of its functions imperatively and unavoidably requires that no recommended decision be issued, the officer continuing the hearing shall prepare and file a recommended decision to be released with the Commission's initial or final decision. If all the parties expressly consent, and if the Commission does not order otherwise, the officer continuing the hearing may prepare an initial decision.

(Sec. 409, 48 Stat. 1096, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 409)

§ 1.276 Appeal and review of initial decision.

(a)(1) Within 30 days after the date on which public release of the full text of an initial decision is made, or such other time as the Commission may specify, any of the parties may appeal to the Commission by filing exceptions to the initial decision, and such decision shall not become effective and shall then be reviewed by the Commission, whether or not such exceptions may thereafter be withdrawn. It is the Commission's policy that extensions of time for filing exceptions shall not be routinely granted.

(2) Exceptions shall be consolidated with the argument in a supporting brief and shall not be submitted separately. As used in this subpart, the term “exceptions" means the document consolidating the exceptions and supporting brief. The brief shall contain (i) a table of contents, (ii) a table of citations, (iii) a concise statement of the case, (iv) a statement of the questions of law presented, and (v) the argument, presenting clearly the points of fact and law relied upon in support of the position taken on each question, with specific reference to the record and all legal or other materials relied on.

(b) The Commission may on its own initiative provide, by order adopted not later than 20 days after the time for filing exceptions expires, that an initial decision shall not become final, and that it shall be further reviewed or considered by the Commission.

(c) In any case in which an initial decision is subject to review in accordance with paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, the

Commission may, on its own initiative or upon appropriate requests by a party, take any one or more of the following actions:

(1) Hear oral argument on the exceptions; (2) Require the filing of briefs;

(3) Prior to or after oral argument or the filing of exceptions or briefs, reopen the record and/or remand the proceedings to the presiding officer to take further testimony or evidence; (4) Prior to or after oral argument or the filing of exceptions or briefs, remand the proceedings to the presiding officer to make further findings or conclusions; and

(5) Prior to or after oral argument or the filing of exceptions or briefs, issue, or cause to be issued by the presiding officer, a supplemental initial decision.

(d) No initial decision shall become effective before 50 days after public release of the full text thereof is made unless otherwise ordered by the Commission. The timely filing of exceptions, the further review or consideration of an initial decision on the Commission's initiative, or the taking of action by the Commission under paragraph (c) of this section shall stay the effectiveness of the initial decision until the Commission's review thereof has been completed. If the effective date of an initial decision falls within any further time allowed for the filing of exceptions, it shall be postponed automatically until 30 days after time for filing exceptions has expired.

(e) If no exceptions are filed, and the Commission has not ordered the review of an initial decision on its initiative, or has not taken action under paragraph (c) of this section, the initial decision shall become effective, an appropriate notation to that effect shall be entered in the docket of the case, and a "Public Notice" thereof shall be given by the Commission. The provisions of § 1.108 shall not apply to such public notices.

(f) When any party fails to file exceptions within the specified time to an initial decision which proposes to deny its application, such party shall be deemed to have no interest in further prosecution of its application, and its application may be dismissed with prejudice for failure to prosecute.

(Sec. 40, 48 Stat. 1096, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 409)

[28 FR 12425, Nov. 22, 1963, as amended at 41 FR 14873, Apr. 8, 1976] § 1.277 Exceptions; oral arguments.

(a) The consolidated supporting brief and exceptions to the initial decision (see § 1.276(a)(2)), including rulings upon motions or objections, shall point out with particularity alleged material errors in the decision or ruling and shall contain specific references to the page or pages of the transcript of hearing, exhibit or order if any on which the exception is based. Any objection not saved by exception filed pursuant to this section is waived.

(b) Within the period of time allowed in § 1.276(a) for the filing of exceptions, any party may file a brief in support of an initial decision, in whole or in part, which may contain exceptions and which shall be similar in form to the brief in support of exceptions (see § 1.276(a)(2)).

(c) Except by special permission, the consolidated brief and exceptions will not be accepted if the exceptions and argument exceed 50 double-spaced typewritten pages in length. (The table of contents and table of citations are not counted in the 50 page limit; however, all other contents of and attachments to the brief are counted.) Within 10 days, or such other time as the Commission may specify, after the time for filing exceptions has expired, any other party may file a reply

brief, which shall not exceed 25 double-spaced typewritten pages and shall contain a table of contents and a table of citations. If exceptions have been filed, any party may request oral argument not later than five days after the time for filing replies to the exceptions has expired. The Commission in its discretion will, by order, grant or deny the request for oral argument. Within five days after release of the Commission's order designating an initial decision for oral argument, as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, any party who wishes to participate in oral argument shall file written notice of intention to appear and participate in oral argument; and failure to file written notice shall constitute a waiver of the opportunity to participate.

(d) Each order scheduling a case for oral argument will contain the allotment of time for each party for oral argument before the Commission. The Commission will grant, in its discretion, upon good cause shown, an extension of such time upon petition by a party, which petition must be filed within 5 days after issuance of said order for oral argument.

(e) Within 10 days after a transcript of oral argument has been filed in the office of the Secretary of the Commission, any party who participated in the oral argument may file with the Commission a motion requesting correction of the transcript, which motion shall be accompanied by proof of service thereof upon all other parties who participated in the oral argument. Within 5 days after the filing of such a motion, other parties may file a pleading in support of or in opposition to such motion. Thereafter, the officer who presided at the oral argument shall, by order, specify the corrections to be made in the transcript, and a copy of the order shall be served upon all parties to the proceeding. The officer who presided at the oral argument may, on his own initiative, by order, specify corrections to be made in the transcript on 5 days notice of the proposed corrections to all parties who participated in the oral argument.

(f) Any commissioner or member of the Review Board who is not present at oral argument and who is otherwise authorized to participate in a final decision may participate in making that decision after reading the transcript of oral argument. (Sec. 409, 48 Stat. 1096, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 409)

[28 FR 12425, Nov. 22, 1963, as amended at 41 FR 14873, Apr. 8, 1976; 41 FR 34259, Aug. 13, 1976; 44 FR 12426, Mar. 7, 1979]

§ 1.279 Limitation of matters to be reviewed.

Upon review of any initial decision, the Commission may, in its discretion, limit the issues to be reviewed to those findings and conclusions to which exceptions have been filed, or to those findings and conclusions specified in the Commission's order of review issued pursuant to § 1.276(b).

§ 1.282 Final decision of the Commission.

(a) After opportunity has been afforded for the filing of proposed findings of fact and conclusions, exceptions, supporting statements, briefs, and for the holding of oral argument as provided in this subpart, the Commission will issue a final decision in each case in which an initial decision has not become final.

(b) The final decision shall contain:

(1) Findings of fact and conclusions, as well as the reasons or basis therefor, upon all the material issues of fact, law or discretion presented on the record;

(2) Rulings on each relevant and material exception filed; the Commission will deny irrelevant exceptions, or those which

are not of decisional significance, without a specific statement of reasons prescribed by paragraph (b) (1) of this section; and (3) The appropriate rule or oder and the sanction, relief or denial thereof.

(Sec. 8(b), 60 Stat. 2422; 5 U.S.C. 1007(b))

[28 FR 12425, Nov. 22, 1963, as amended at 41 FR 14873, Apr. 8, 1976]

INTERLOCUTORY ACTIONS IN HEARING PROCEEDINGS

§ 1.291 General provisions.

(a)(1) The Commission acts on petitions to amend, modify, enlarge or delete the issues in hearing proceedings which involve rule making matters exclusively. It also acts on interlocutory pleadings filed in matters or proceedings which are before the Commission.

(2) The Review Board acts on interlocutory pleadings in proceedings which are before the Board.

(3) The Chief Administrative Law Judge acts on those interlocutory matters listed in § 0.351 of this chapter.

(4) All other interlocutory matters in hearing proceedings are acted on by the presiding officer. See § 0.218 and 0.341 of this chapter.

(5) Each interlocutory pleading shall indicate in its caption whether the pleading is to be acted upon by the Commission, the Review Board, the Chief Administrative Law Judge, or the presiding officer. If the pleading is to be acted upon by the presiding officer, he shall be identified by name.

(b) All interlocutory pleadings shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of § 1.4, 1.44, 1.47, 1.48, 1.49, and

1.52.

(c)(1) Procedural rules governing interlocutory pleadings are set forth in § 1.294-1.298.

(2) Rules governing appeal from, and reconsideration of, interlocutory rulings made by the presiding officer are set forth in § 1.301 and 1.303.

(3) Rules governing the review of interlocutory rulings made by the Review Board or the Chief Administrative Law Judge are set forth in § 1.101, 1.102(b), 1.115, and 1.117. Petitions requesting reconsideration of an interlocutory ruling made by the Commission, the Review Board, or the Chief Administrative Law Judge will not be entertained. See, however, § 1.113.

(d) No initial decision shall become effective under § 1.276(e) until all interlocutory matters pending before the Review Board or the Commission in the proceeding at the time the initial decision is issued have been disposed of and the time allowed for appeal from interlocutory rulings of the presiding officer or the Review Board has expired.

(Secs. 4(i), 303(r) and 5(d)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended; 47 CFR 0.61 and 0.283)

[29 FR 6443, May 16, 1964, as amended at 29 FR 12773, Sept. 10, 1964; 37 FR 19372, Sept. 20, 1972; 41 FR 14873, Apr. 8, 1976; 49 FR 4381, Feb. 6, 1984]

§ 1.294 Oppositions and replies.

(a) Any party to a hearing may file an opposition to an interlocutory request filed in that proceeding.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, oppositions shall be filed within 4 days after the original pleading is filed, and replies to oppositions will not be entertained. See, however, §1.732.

(c) Oppositions to pleadings in the following categories shall be filed within 10 days after the pleading is filed. Replies to

such oppositions shall be filed within 5 days after the opposition is filed, and shall be limited to matters raised in the opposition.

(1) Petitions to amend, modify, enlarge, or delete the issues upon which the hearing was ordered.

(2) [Reserved]

(3) Petitions by adverse parties requesting dismissal of an application.

(4) Joint requests for approval of agreements filed pursuant to § 1.525.

(d) Additional pleadings may be filed only if specifically requested or authorized by the person(s) who is to make the ruling.

[29 FR 6444, May 16, 1964, as amended at 39 FR 10909, Mar. 22, 1974] §1.296 Service.

No pleading filed pursuant to § 1.51 or § 1.294 will be considered unless it is accompanied by proof of service upon the parties to the proceeding.

(Secs. 4(i), 303(r) and 5(d)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended; 47 CFR 0.61 and 0.283)

[49 FR 4381, Feb. 6, 1984]

§ 1.297 Oral argument.

Oral argument with respect to any contested interlocutory matter will be held when, in the opinion of the person(s) who is to make the ruling, the ends of justice will be best served thereby. Timely notice will be given of the date, time, and place of any such oral argument.

[29 FR 6444, May 16, 1964]

§ 1.298 Rulings; time for action.

(a) Unless it is found that irreparable injury would thereby be caused one of the parties, or that the public interest requires otherwise, or unless all parties have consented to the contrary, consideration of interlocutory requests will be withheld until the time for filing oppositions (and replies, if replies are allowed) has expired. As a matter of discretion, however, requests for continuances and extensions of time, requests for permission to file pleadings in excess of the length prescribed in this chapter, and requests for temporary relief may be ruled upon ex parte without waiting for the filing of responsive pleadings.

(b) In the discretion of the presiding officer, rulings on interlocutory matters may be made orally at the hearing. The presiding officer may, in his discretion, state his reasons on the record or subsequently issue a written statement of the reasons for his ruling, either separately or as part of the initial decision.

[28 FR 12425, Nov. 22, 1963, as amended at 29 FR 6444, May 16, 1964; 41 FR 14874, Apr. 8, 1976]

APPEAL AND RECONSIDERATION OF PRESIDING OFFICER'S

RULING

§ 1.301 Appeal from presiding officer's interlocutory ruling; effective date of ruling.

(a) Interlocutory rulings which are appealable as a matter of right. Rulings listed in this paragraph are appealable as a matter of right. An appeal from such a ruling may not be deferred and raised as an exception to the initial decision.

(1) If the presiding officer's ruling denies or terminates the right of any person to participate as a party to a hearing proceeding, such person, as a matter of right, may file an appeal from that ruling.

(2) If the presiding officer's ruling requires testimony or the production of documents, over objection based on a claim of privilege, the ruling on the claim of privilege is appealable as a matter of right. (3) [Reserved]

(4) Rulings granting a joint request filed under § 1.525 without terminating the proceeding are appealable by any party as a matter of right.

(5) A ruling removing counsel from the hearing is appealable as a matter of right, by counsel on his own behalf or by his client. (In the event of such ruling, the presiding officer will adjourn the hearing for such period as is reasonably necessary for the client to secure new counsel and for counsel to familiarize himself with the case).

(b) Other interlocutory rulings. Except as provided in paragraph (a) of this section, appeals from interlocutory rulings of the presiding officer shall be filed only if allowed by the presiding officer. Any party desiring to file an appeal shall first file a request for permission to file appeal. The request shall be filed within 5 days after the order is released or (if no written order) after the ruling is made. Pleadings responsive to the request shall be filed only if they are requested by the presiding officer. The request shall contain a showing that the appeal presents a new or novel question of law or policy and that the ruling is such that error would be likely to require remand should the appeal be deferred and raised as an exception. The presiding officer shall determine whether the showing is such as to justify an interlocutory appeal and, in accordance with his determination, will either allow or disallow the appeal or modify the ruling. If the presiding officer allows or disallows the appeal, his ruling is final: Provided, however, that the Commission may, on its own motion, dismiss an appeal allowed by the presiding officer on the ground that objection to the ruling should be deferred and raised as an exception. In the discretion of the presiding officer, the request for permission to file appeal may be made orally, on the record of the proceeding. The request may be disposed of orally.

(1) If an appeal is not allowed, or is dismissed by the Commission, or if permission to file an appeal is not requested, objection to the ruling may be raised on review of the initial decision.

(2) If an appeal is allowed and is considered on its merits, the disposition on appeal is final. Objection to the ruling or to the action on appeal may not be raised on review of the initial decision.

(3) If the presiding officer modifies the ruling, any party adversely affected by the modified ruling may file a request for permission to file appeal, pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph.

(c) Procedures, effective date. (1) Unless the presiding officer orders otherwise, rulings made by him shall be effective when the order is released or (if no written order) when the ruling is made. The Commission may stay the effect of any ruling which comes before it for consideration on appeal.

(2) Appeals filed under paragraph (a) of this section shall be filed within 5 days after the order is released or (if no written order) after the ruling is made. Appeals filed under paragraph (b) of this section shall be filed within 5 days after the appeal is allowed.

(3) The appeal shall conform with the specifications set out in § 1.49 and shall be subscribed and verified as provided in § 1.52.

(4) The appeal shall be served on parties to the proceeding (see § 1.47 and 1.211), and shall be filed with the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C. 20554.

(5) The appeal shall not exceed 5 double-spaced typewritten pages.

(6) Appeals are acted on by the Review Board.

(7) Oppositions and replies shall be served and filed in the same manner as appeals and shall be served on appellant if he is not a party to the proceeding. Oppositions shall be filed within 5 days after the appeal is filed. Replies shall not be permitted, unless the Commission specifically requests them. Oppositions shall not exceed 5 double-spaced typewritten pages. Replies shall not exceed 5 double-spaced typewritten pages.

(Secs. 4, 303, 307, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1082, 1083; 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 307) [35 FR 17333, Nov. 11, 1970, as amended at 40 FR 39509, Aug. 28, 1975; 41 FR 14874, Apr. 8, 1976; 41 FR 28789, July 13, 1976; 46 FR 58682, Dec. 3, 1981]

§ 1.302 Appeal from presiding officer's final ruling; effective date of ruling.

(a) If the presiding officer's ruling terminates a hearing proceeding, any party to the proceeding, as a matter of right, may file an appeal from that ruling within 30 days after the ruling is released.

(b) Any party who desires to preserve the right to appeal shall file a notice of appeal within 10 days after the ruling is released. If a notice of appeal is not filed within 10 days, the ruling shall be effective 30 days after the ruling is released and within this period, may be reviewed by the Commission or the Review Board on its own motion. If an appeal is not filed following notice of appeal, the ruling shall be effective 50 days after the day of its release and, within this period, may be reviewed by the Commission or the Review Board on its own motion. If an appeal is filed, or if the Commission or the Review Board reviews the ruling on its own motion, the effect of the ruling is further stayed pending the completion of proceedings on appeal or review.

(c) The appeal shall conform with the specifications set out in § 1.49 and shall be subscribed and verified as provided in § 1.52.

(d) The appeal shall be served on parties to the proceeding (see § 1.47 and 1.211), and shall be filed with the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C. 20554.

(e) The appeal shall not exceed 25 double-spaced typewritten pages.

(f) If the Commission would have reviewed an initial decision in the proceeding (see § 0.365(a) of this chapter), the Commission will act on the appeal. In all other cases, the appeal will be acted on by the Review Board. The caption of the appeal shall specify whether the appeal is to be acted on by the Commission or the Review Board.

(g) Oppositions and replies shall be filed and served in the same manner as the appeal. Oppositions to an appeal shall be filed within 15 days after the appeal is filed. Replies to oppositions shall be filed within 10 days after the opposition is filed and shall be limited to matters raised in the oppositions. Oppositions shall not exceed 25 double-spaced typewritten pages. Replies shall not exceed 10 double-spaced typewritten

pages.