(a) Informal petition. Any interested person may file an informal petition to modify or vacate a final order at any time. Any such petition must be filed Iwith the Administrator, be based on matters arising after the issuance of the final order, and set forth such matters, and the reasons or conditions relied on, with such particularity as is practicable. Any such informal petition will be handled as otherwise provided for an informal complaint.

(b) Formal motion. A final order may be modified or vacated at any time only upon filing of a formal motion by the Administrator. Such a motion may be filed on the initiative of the Administrator, on the basis of an informal petition, or by filing of an informal petition as a formal motion.

(c) Publication. If the modification or vacation sought would involve an increase of a rate or charge lawfully prescribed by the Secretary, or involve a rate or charge in addition to what is specified in the final order, or involve a

regulation or practice so affecting such a rate or charge, the formal motion, or a summary thereof, will be published in the FEDERAL REGISTER, together with notice of the place, and the time by which, any interested person may file a written request to be heard.

(d) Proceedings. Proceedings upon such a formal motion will be as otherwise provided for a formal complaint.

RULES OF PRACTICE APPLICABLE TO REPARATION PROCEEDINGS

$202.101 Rule 1: Meaning of words.

In these rules, words in the singular form shall be deemed to import the plural, and vice versa, as the case may demand.

§ 202.102 Rule 2: Definitions.

Terms defined in the Act shall mean the same in these rules as in the Act. In addition, and except as may be provided otherwise in these rules:

Act means the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, and legislation supplementary thereto and amendatory thereof, 7 U.S.C. 181 et seq.;

Agency means those divisions and offices of the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (Packers and Stockyards Programs) of the Department which are charged with administration of the Act;

Agency Head means the Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (Packers and Stockyards Programs) of the Department, or any officer or employee of the Agency to whom authority is lawfully delegated to act for the Administrator;

Complainant means the party who files a complaint and claims reparation, or on whose behalf a complaint is filed and reparation is claimed, in a reparation proceeding;

Department means the United States Department of Agriculture;

Docketing of a reparation proceeding means transmittal of papers to the Hearing Clerk and assignment of a docket number as provided in Rule 8, § 202.108, of these rules;

Hearing means that part of a reparation proceeding which involves the submission of evidence for the record and

means either an oral or a written hearing;

Hearing Clerk means the Hearing Clerk of the Department (see 7 CFR 2.25(a)(3));

Judicial Officer means the official of the Department delegated authority by the Secretary, pursuant to the Act of April 4, 1940 (7 U.S.C. 450c-450g) and Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953, to perform the function involved (see 7 CFR 2.35);

Mail means to deposit an item in the United States mail with postage affixed and addressed as necessary to cause it to be delivered to the address shown by ordinary mail, or by certified or registered mail if specified.

Presiding Officer means any attorney who is employed in the Office of the General Counsel of the Department and is assigned so to act in a reparation proceeding;

Re-mail means to mail by ordinary mail to an address an item that has been returned after being sent to the same address by certified or registered mail.

Reparation proceeding or Proceeding means a proceeding under the Act before the Secretary, in which an order for the payment of money is claimed and in which the Secretary is not a party of record;

Report means the report to the Judicial Officer of the presiding officer's recommended findings of fact and conclusions with respect to all material issues of fact, law or discretion, as well as the reasons or basis therefor, and order, in a reparation proceeding.

Respondent means the party against whom a complaint is filed and reparation is claimed, in a reparation proceeding;

Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States, or any officer or employee of the Department to whom authority is lawfully delegated to act for the Secretary;

[43 FR 30510, July 14, 1978, as amended at 46 FR 60414, Dec. 10. 1981; 55 FR 41183, Oct. 10, 1990; 60 FR 8465, Feb. 14, 1995]

§ 202.103 Rule 3: Beginning a reparation proceeding.

(a) Filing. A reparation proceeding is begun by filing a complaint. Any interested person (including any agency of a

state or territory having jurisdiction over persons subject to the Act in such state or territory) desiring to complain of anything done or omitted to be done by any stockyard owner, market agency, or dealer in violation of sections 304, 305, 306, or 307, or of an order of the Secretary made under title III, of the Act, may file a complaint to begin a reparation proceeding.

(b) Form. The complaint must be in writing, state the facts of the matter complained of, identify each person complained against (respondent), and identify each person who complains against such respondent and claims reparation from such respondent. It may be on a printed form supplied by the Agency, or may be a formal document, or may be a letter, mailgram, or telegram. It may be typewritten or handwritten. If it is not on a printed form supplied by the Agency, the Agency Head may, prior to docketing of the proceeding, recommend to the complainant that an amended complaint be filed on such a printed form.

(c) Contents and attachments. So far as practicable, the complaint should include the following items as applicable: (1) Date and place where the alleged violation occurred;

(2) Quantity and quality of the livestock involved;

(3) Whether a sale is involved and, if so, the date, sale price, and amount actually paid and received;

(4) Whether a consignment is involved and, if so the date, reported proceeds, gross, net;

(5) Amount of reparation claimed, and method of computation;

(6) Name and address of each partner or member, if a partnership or joint venture is involved;

(7) Name and address of each person involved, including any agent representing the complainant or the respondent in the transaction involved;

(8) Other material facts, including terms of contract; and

(9) True copies of all available papers relating to the transaction complained about, including shipping documents, letters, telegrams, invoices, manifests, accounts of sales, and special contracts or agreements, and checks and drafts. If it appears that any such item has been omitted from the complaint, the

Agency Head may, prior to docketing of the proceeding, recommend to the complainant that such item be supplied by written amendment to the complaint.

(d) Where to file. The complaint should be transmitted or delivered to any area office of the Agency, or to the headquarters of the Agency in Washington, DC, or delivered to any full time employee of the Agency.

(e) Time for filing. The complaint must be received by the Department within 90 days after accrual of the cause of action alleged in it. If a complaint is transmitted or delivered to an office of the Department, it shall be deemed to be received by the Department when it reaches such office. If a complaint is delivered to a full time employee of the Agency, it shall be deemed to be received by the Department when it is received by such employee.

(f) Amendment. The complaint may be amended at any time prior to the close of an oral hearing or the filing of the last evidence in a written hearing, except that:

(1) An amendment cannot add a respondent if it is filed more than 90 days after accrual of the cause of action against such respondent;

(2) An amendment cannot state a new and different cause of action if it is filed more than 90 days after accrual of such new and different cause of action; and

(3) After the first amendment, or after the filing of an answer by the respondent, an amendment may not be filed without the written consent of the respondent, or leave of the presiding officer, or, prior to docketing of the proceeding, leave of the Agency Head. Any such amendment must be filed in writing and signed by the complainant or the attorney or representative of the complainant. If any such amendment is filed before the initial service of the complaint on the respondent, it shall be served on the respondent only if the complaint is served as provided in Rule 4(b), $202.104(b). If any such amendment is filed after such service, it shall be served on the respondent in any case.

(g) Withdrawal. At any time, a complainant may withdraw a complaint

filed by or on behalf of the same complainant, thus terminating the reparation proceeding on such complaint unless a counterclaim or another complaint is pending therein. If a complainant fails to cooperate with the Secretary in the disposition of the matter complained of, such complainant may be presumed to desire to withdraw the complaint filed by or on behalf of such complainant, after service on the parties of written notice of the facts of such failure and reasonable opportunity for such complainant to state whether such presumption is correct.

[43 FR 30510, July 14, 1978, as amended at 60 FR 8465, Feb. 14, 1995]

§ 202.104 Rule 4: Agency action.

(a) Informal disposition. If there appears to be any reasonable ground for doing so, the Agency Head shall investigate the matter complained of. If the Agency Head reasonably believes that there are not sufficient facts to form the basis for further proceeding, the matter may be dropped, without prejudice to subsequent court action on the same cause of action; if it is dropped, the person filing the complaint shall be informed. If the statements in the complaint, and information obtained in the investigation, seem to warrant such action, the Agency Head may make an effort to obtain the consent of the parties to an amicable or informal adjustment of the matter by communication with the parties or their attorneys or representatives. Such communication may be written or oral or both.

(b) Service of complaint. If the matter is not disposed of as provided in paragraph (a), the complaint, together with any amendment which has been filed, shall be served on the respondent with a notice that an answer is required.

(c) Service of report of investigation. A report prepared by the Agency, of its investigation of the matter complained of, and supplements to such a report, may be served on the parties and made a part of the record of the proceeding. Whether such a report or supplement shall be prepared, and whether it shall be served on the parties and made a part of the record, and its contents, shall be in the discretion of the Agency

Head. The Judicial Officer shall consider information in such a report or supplement as part of the evidence in the proceeding, to the extent that such information is relevant and material to the proceeding. Any party may submit evidence in rebuttal of such information as is provided generally in these rules for the submission of evidence. Oral testimony, to the extent credible, shall be given greater weight as evidence than such information.

§ 202.105 Rule 5: Filing; time for filing; service.

(a) Filing; number of copies. Prior to docketing of a proceeding under these rules, all documents and papers other than the initial complaint, filed in the proceeding, shall be filed with the Agency. After such docketing of a proceeding, all such documents and papers shall be filed with the hearing clerk, Provided, That all such documents and papers, except a petition for disqualification of a presiding officer, shall be filed with the presiding officer if the parties have been served with written notice to do so. Each such document or paper shall be filed in quadruplicate with an extra copy for each party in excess of two, except as otherwise provided in these rules. Any document or paper not filed in the required number of copies, except an initial complaint, may be returned to the party filing it. (b) Effective date of filing. Any document or paper other than an initial complaint, filed in a proceeding under these rules, shall be deemed to be filed at the time when it reaches the headquarters of the Department in Washington DC, or, if authorized to be filed with an officer or employee of the Department at any place outside the District of Columbia, it shall be deemed to be filed at the time when it reaches the office of such officer or employee.

(c) Additional time for filing. The time for the filing of any document or paper other than an initial complaint, in a proceeding under these rules, may upon request be extended as reasonable, by the agency head prior to docketing of the proceeding, or by the presiding officer, or by the judicial officer; notice of any extension of time shall be served on all parties. After docketing of the proceeding, in all instances in which

time permits, notice of a request for extension of time shall be given to parties other than the one filing such request, with opportunity to submit views concerning the request.

(d) Computation of time. Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays shall be included in computing the time allowed for the filing of any document or paper: Provided, That, when such time expires on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, such time shall be extended to include the next following business day.

(e) Who shall make service. Copies of all documents or papers required or authorized by the rules in this part to be filed with the Agency shall be served on the parties by the Agency, and copies of all documents or papers required or authorized by the rules in this part to be filed with the Hearing Clerk shall be served on the parties by the Hearing Clerk, unless any such document or paper is served by some other employee of the Department, or by a U.S. marshal or deputy marshal, or as otherwise provided herein, or as otherwise directed by the presiding officer or Judicial Officer.

(f) Service on party. (1) Any complaint or other document initially served on a person to make that person a party respondent in a proceeding, a final order, or other document specifically ordered by the presiding officer or Judicial Officer to be served by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to be received by any party to a proceeding on the date of delivery by certified or registered mail to the last known principal place of business of such party, last known principal place of business of the attorney or representative of record of such party, or last known residence of such party if an individual, provided that, if any such document or paper is sent by certified on registered mail but is returned marked by the postal service as unclaimed or refused, it shall be deemed to be received by such party on the date of remailing by ordinary mail to the same address.

(2) Any document or paper, other than one specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this section or written questions for a deposition as provided in § 202.109(c)(3), shall be deemed to be received by any party to a proceeding on the date of

mailing by ordinary mail to the last known principal place of business of such party, last known principal place of business of the attorney or representative or record of such party, or last known residence of such party if an individual.

(3) Any document or paper served other than by mail on any party to a proceeding shall be deemed to be received by such party on the date of:

(i) Delivery to any responsible individual at, or leaving in a conspicuous place at, the last known principal place of business of such party, last known principal place of business of the attorney or representative of record of such party, or last known residence of such party if an individual, or

(ii) Delivery to such party if an individual, to an officer or director of such party if a corporation, or to a member of such party if a partnership, at any location.

(g) Service on another. Any subpoena or other document or paper served on any person other than a party to a proceeding shall be deemed to be received by such person on the date of:

(1) Delivery by certified mail or registered mail to the last known principal place of business of such person, last known principal place of business of the attorney or representative of record of such person, or last known residence of such person if an individual;

(2) Delivery other than by mail to any responsible individual at, or leaving in a conspicuous place at, any such location; or

(3) Delivery to such party if an individual, to an officer or director of such party if a partnership, at any location.

(h) Proof of service. Any of the following, in the possession of the Department, showing such service, shall be deemed to be accurate:

(1) A certified or registered mail receipt returned by the postal service with a signature;

(2) An official record of the postal service;

(3) An entry on a docket record or a copy placed in a docket file by the Hearing Clerk of the Department or by an employee of the Hearing Clerk in the ordinary course of business;

(4) A certificate of service, which need not be separate from and may be incorporated in the document or paper of which it certifies service, showing the method, place and date of service in writing and signed by an individual with personal knowledge thereof, Provided that such certificate must be verified by oath or declaration under penalty of perjury if the individual certifying service is not a party to the proceeding in which such document or paper is served, an attorney or representative of record for such a party, or an official or employee of the United States or of a State of political subdivision thereof.

[43 FR 30510, July 14, 1978, as amended at 55 FR 41183, Oct. 10, 1990; 60 FR 8465, Feb. 14, 1995]

§ 202.106 Rule 6: Answer.

(a) Filing and service. Within 20 days after service on a respondent, of a complaint or amendment of a complaint, such person shall file an answer in writing, signed by such person or by the attorney or representative of such person. If a respondent desires an oral hearing, a request for it should be included with the answer of such person. If any answer or amended answer is filed, it shall be served on the complainant.

(b) Required contents. If a respondent desires to make a defense, the answer of such person shall contain a precise statement of the facts which constitute the grounds of defense, and shall specifically admit, deny, or explain each of the allegations of the complaint, except that, if the respondent is without knowledge, such answer shall state that. If a respondent does not desire to make a defense, the answer of such person shall contain an admission of all the allegations of the complaint, or an admission of liability to the complainant in the full amount claimed by the complainant as reparation, or both. An answer may be stricken for failure to comply with these requirements; notice of an order so striking an answer shall be served on the parties; within 20 days after service on a respondent of such a notice, such person shall file an answer which complies with these requirements.