```

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 126 (Friday, June 29, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39057-39101]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14061]

[[Page 39057]]

Vol. 77

Friday,

No. 126

June 29, 2012

Part III

Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection

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12 CFR Part 1071, 1080, 1081, et al.

Rules of Practice for Adjudication Proceedings

Federal Register / Vol. 77 , No. 126 / Friday, June 29, 2012 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 39058]]

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BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION

12 CFR Part 1081

[Docket No. CFPB-2011-0006]
RIN 3170-AA05

Rules of Practice for Adjudication Proceedings

AGENCY: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act 
requires the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) to 
prescribe rules establishing procedures for the conduct of adjudication 
proceedings. On July 28, 2011, the Bureau published an interim final 
rule establishing these procedures with a request for comment. This 
final rule responds to the comments received by the Bureau and amends 
the Bureau's regulations accordingly.

DATES: This final rule is effective on June 29, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John R. Coleman, Office of the General 
Counsel, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20552, (202) 435-5724.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 
2010 (Dodd-Frank Act) was signed into law on July 21, 2010. Title X of 
the Dodd-Frank Act established the Bureau to regulate the offering and 
provision of consumer financial products or services under the Federal 
consumer financial laws. On July 28, 2011, the Bureau promulgated its 
Rules of Practice Governing Adjudication Proceedings (Interim Final 
Rule), pursuant to section 1053(e) of the Dodd-Frank Act, 12 U.S.C. 
5563(e). The Bureau promulgated the Interim Final Rule with a request 
for comment at 76 FR 45338. The comment period on the Interim Final 
Rule ended on September 26, 2011. After reviewing and considering the 
issues raised by the comments, the Bureau is now promulgating, in final 
form, its Rules of Practice Governing Adjudication Proceedings (Final 
Rule) establishing procedures for the conduct of adjudication 
proceedings conducted pursuant to section 1053 of the Dodd-Frank Act. 
12 U.S.C. 5563.
    Section 1053 of the Dodd-Frank Act authorizes the Bureau to conduct 
administrative adjudications to ensure or enforce compliance with (a) 
the provisions of Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act, (b) the rules 
prescribed by the Bureau under Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act, and (c) 
any other Federal law or regulation that the Bureau is authorized to 
enforce. 12 U.S.C. 5563(a). The Final Rule does not apply to 
proceedings governing the issuance of a temporary order to cease and 
desist pursuant to section 1053(c) of the Dodd-Frank Act. 12 U.S.C. 
5563(c). As discussed in greater detail below, the Bureau currently 
intends to address such proceedings in a future rulemaking.

II. Summary of the Final Rule

    Like the Interim Final Rule, the Final Rule is modeled on the 
uniform rules and procedures for administrative hearings adopted by the 
prudential regulators pursuant to section 916 of the Financial 
Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989, 56 FR 38024 
(Aug. 9, 1991) (Uniform Rules); \1\ the Rules of Practice for 
Adjudicative Proceedings adopted by the Federal Trade Commission, 16 
CFR part 3 (FTC Rules); and the Rules of Practice adopted by the 
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), 17 CFR part 201 (SEC Rules). 
The Bureau also considered the Model Adjudication Rules (MARs) prepared 
by the Administrative Conference of the United States. See Michael P. 
Cox, The Model Adjudication Rules (MARs), 11 T.M. Cooley L. Rev. 75 
(1994).
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    \1\ The ``prudential regulators'' are defined by section 
1002(24) of the Dodd-Frank Act as the Office of the Comptroller of 
the Currency (OCC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve 
System (Board), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), 
the former Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), and the National 
Credit Union Administration (NCUA). 12 U.S.C. 5481(24). For ease of 
reference, citations to the Uniform Rules herein are to the Uniform 
Rules as adopted by the OCC, which are codified at 12 CFR part 19, 
subpart A.
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    In drafting the Final Rule, the Bureau endeavored to create an 
adjudicatory process that provides for the expeditious resolution of 
claims while ensuring that parties who appear before the Bureau receive 
a fair hearing. Notably, in the last several decades, both the SEC and 
the FTC revised their rules of practice relating to administrative 
proceedings to make the adjudicatory process more efficient. In 1990, 
the SEC created a task force ``to review the rules and procedures 
relating to [SEC] administrative proceedings, to identify sources of 
delay in those proceedings and to recommend steps to make the 
adjudicatory process more efficient and effective.'' 60 FR 32738 (June 
23, 1995). The result was a comprehensive revision of the SEC Rules in 
1995. See id. Similarly, when the FTC proposed revisions to the FTC 
Rules in 2008, the FTC's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking stated: ``In 
particular, the [FTC's] Part 3 adjudicatory process has long been 
criticized as being too protracted * * *. The [FTC] believes that these 
comprehensive proposed rule revisions would strike an appropriate 
balance between the need for fair process and quality decision-making, 
the desire for efficient and speedy resolution of matters, and the 
potential costs imposed on the Commission and the parties.'' 73 FR 
58832-58833 (Oct. 7, 2008).
    In drafting the Final Rule, the Bureau considered and attempted to 
improve upon these and other agencies' efforts to streamline their 
processes while protecting parties' rights to fair and impartial 
proceedings. The following discussion outlines some significant aspects 
of the Final Rule.
    Like the Interim Final Rule, the Final Rule adopts a decision-
making procedure that incorporates elements of the SEC Rules, the FTC 
Rules, and the Uniform Rules. The Final Rule implements a procedure, 
like that in the Uniform Rules, whereby a hearing officer will issue a 
recommended decision in each administrative adjudication. Like the FTC 
Rules, the Final Rule provides any party the right to contest the 
recommended decision by filing a notice of appeal and perfecting the 
appeal by later filing an opening brief. In the event a party fails to 
timely file a notice of appeal or perfect an appeal, the Director may 
either adopt the recommended decision as the Bureau's final decision or 
order further briefing with respect to any findings of fact or 
conclusions of law contained in the recommended decision. The Bureau 
believes this approach best balances the need for expeditious decision-
making with the parties' right to ultimate consideration of a matter by 
the Director.
    In keeping with this approach, the Final Rule also provides that 
the hearing officer will decide dispositive motions in the first 
instance, subject to the same right of review provided for recommended 
decisions in the event that the ruling upon such a motion disposes of 
the case. Again, the Bureau has adopted this model because it provides 
for the most expeditious resolution of matters while preserving all 
parties' rights to review by the Director.
    The Final Rule sets deadlines for both the recommended decision of 
the hearing officer and the final decision of the Director. The Bureau 
has adopted an approach, similar to that used by the SEC, wherein the 
hearing officer is

[[Page 39059]]

permitted a specified period of time--300 days from service of the 
notice of charges or 90 days after briefing is complete--to issue a 
recommended decision. The Final Rule also requires the hearing officer 
to convene a scheduling conference soon after the respondent files its 
answer to craft a schedule appropriate to the particular proceeding. 
This construct gives the hearing officer considerable discretion in 
conducting proceedings and flexibility to respond to the nuances of 
individual matters while ensuring that each case concludes within a 
fixed number of days. The Final Rule permits the hearing officer to 
request an extension of the 300-day deadline, but the Bureau's intent 
is that such extensions will be requested by hearing officers and 
granted by the Director only in rare circumstances.
    The section of the Final Rule governing the timing of the 
Director's decision on appeal or review is consistent with the language 
of section 1053 of the Dodd-Frank Act. If a recommended decision is 
appealed to the Director, or the Director orders additional briefing 
regarding the recommended decision, the Final Rule provides that the 
Office of Administrative Adjudication must notify the parties that the 
case has been submitted for final Bureau decision at the expiration of 
the time permitted for filing reply briefs with the Director. The 
Director then must issue his or her final decision within 90 days. See 
12 U.S.C. 5563(b)(3). To further the goal of providing for the 
expeditious resolution of claims, the Final Rule also adopts the SEC's 
standard governing extensions of time, which makes clear that such 
extensions are generally disfavored.
    The Bureau has adopted the SEC's affirmative disclosure approach to 
fact discovery in administrative adjudications. See 17 CFR 201.230. 
Thus, the Final Rule provides that the Office of Enforcement will 
provide any party in an adjudication proceeding an opportunity to 
inspect and copy certain categories of documents obtained by the Office 
of Enforcement from persons not employed by the Bureau, as that term is 
defined in the Final Rule, in connection with the investigation leading 
to the institution of the proceedings, and certain categories of 
documents created by the Bureau, provided such material is not 
privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. The Office of 
Enforcement's obligation under the Final Rule relates only to documents 
obtained by the Office of Enforcement; documents located only in the 
files of other divisions or offices of the Bureau are beyond the scope 
of the affirmative disclosure obligation. As set forth in greater 
detail in the section-by-section analysis below, the Bureau has 
modified the SEC Rules slightly by eliminating any reference to Brady 
v. Maryland while retaining a general obligation to turn over material 
exculpatory information in the Office of Enforcement's possession, by 
providing that nothing in paragraph (a) of Sec.  1081.206 shall require 
the Office of Enforcement to provide reports of examination to parties 
if they are not the subject of the report, and by providing an 
exception for information provided by another government agency upon 
condition that it not be disclosed.
    The goal in adopting the SEC's basic approach is to ensure that 
respondents have prompt access to the non-privileged documents 
underlying enforcement counsel's decision to commence enforcement 
proceedings, while eliminating much of the expense and delay often 
associated with pre-trial discovery in civil matters. Recognizing that 
administrative adjudications will take place after a Bureau 
investigation intended to gather relevant evidence, and in light of the 
affirmative obligation that the Final Rule places on enforcement 
counsel to provide access to materials gathered in the course of the 
investigation, the Final Rule does not provide for certain other 
traditional forms of pre-trial discovery, such as interrogatories and 
discovery depositions. The Final Rule does provide for the deposition 
of witnesses unavailable for trial, the use of subpoenas to compel the 
production of documentary or tangible evidence, and in appropriate 
cases, expert discovery, thus ensuring that respondents have an 
adequate opportunity to marshal evidence in support of their defense. 
The Bureau believes this approach will promote the fair and speedy 
resolution of claims while ensuring that parties have access to the 
information necessary to prepare a defense.

III. Public Comment on the Interim Final Rule

    In response to the Interim Final Rule, the Bureau received seven 
comment letters. Four letters were received from trade associations 
representing sectors of the financial industry, one letter was received 
from a mortgage company, and two letters were received from individual 
consumers.
    Trade associations' comments generally fell into several 
categories. Several comments suggested that the Bureau revisit the 
deadlines contained in the Interim Final Rule. Two trade association 
comment letters objected to the affirmative disclosure approach to 
discovery, and requested that the Bureau allow respondents to conduct 
additional forms of traditional civil discovery. Two trade associations 
requested that the Bureau adopt a process to notify potential 
respondents that the Bureau is contemplating an enforcement action, 
similar to the Wells Notice process used by the SEC. One trade 
association commenter expressed concern about the confidentiality of 
adjudication proceedings and filings. Trade associations made other 
specific comments as well, all of which are addressed in part V below 
in connection with the section of the Interim Final Rule to which they 
pertain.
    The comment letter received from the mortgage company related to 
the Rules Relating to Investigations, see 12 CFR part 1080, not the 
Interim Final Rule. The comment letter is addressed in the Final Rule 
establishing part 1080.
    The comment letters from consumers did not contain any specific 
comments or suggestions pertaining to the Interim Final Rule.
    In part IV of this preamble, the Bureau addresses general comments 
that were not directly related to particular sections of the Interim 
Final Rule. In part V, the Bureau describes each section of the Interim 
Final Rule, responds to significant issues raised by the comments 
pertaining to each section, and explains any changes made to the 
Interim Final Rule that are reflected in the Final Rule. Many sections 
of the Interim Final Rule received no comment and, as noted, are being 
finalized without change.

IV. General Comments

    The Bureau received several comments that were not directed at 
specific sections of the Interim Final Rule. Those comments are 
addressed here.
    Two commenters suggested that the Bureau adopt a process for a 
prospective respondent to be given the opportunity to respond to the 
Bureau's allegations before an action is filed or a notice of charges 
is issued, similar to the Wells Process adopted by the SEC.
    The Bureau announced on November 7, 2011 that it has adopted a 
process similar to the Wells Process.\2\ The process will allow the 
subject of an investigation, in most cases, to respond to any potential 
legal violations that Bureau enforcement counsel believe have been 
committed before the Bureau decides whether to initiate an

[[Page 39060]]

enforcement proceeding. The Bureau's process for providing advance 
notice of a possible legal action is not required by law, but the 
Bureau believes it will promote even-handed enforcement of Federal 
consumer financial law.
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    \2\ See www.consumerfinance.gov/pressrelease/consumer-financial-protection-bureau-plans-to-provide-early-warning-of-possible-enforcement-actions.
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    The Bureau received several comments raising concern about the 
disclosure of confidential material contained in administrative 
filings.
    The Final Rule provides that filings containing confidential 
information subject to a protective order or a pending motion for a 
protective order may not be published or otherwise disclosed. In 
addition, the Bureau will adopt a policy providing for a ten-day delay 
before publishing filings, in order to allow any party an opportunity 
to object to the disclosure of allegedly confidential information 
contained within such filings. This policy is intended to protect 
confidential information from inadvertent disclosure in public 
documents. The comments regarding the Bureau's treatment of 
confidential information are addressed in more detail below in 
connection with the specific rules to which they were directed.
    One commenter asked the Bureau to identify the official authorized 
to initiate enforcement proceedings in the absence of a Bureau 
Director. This commenter also suggested that once a Director is in 
place, only the Director should be authorized to initiate enforcement 
proceedings.
    The President appointed a Director to the Bureau on January 4, 
2012. The Director, or any official to whom the Director has delegated 
his authority pursuant to section 1012 of the Dodd-Frank Act, 12 U.S.C. 
5492(b), will authorize the initiation of enforcement proceedings 
through the issuance of a notice of charges.
    One commenter asserted that section 1052(c)(1) of the Dodd-Frank 
Act prohibits the Bureau from issuing civil investigative demands after 
the institution of any proceedings under a Federal consumer financial 
law, including proceedings initiated by a State or a private party. 12 
U.S.C. 5562(c)(1). The commenter argued that a civil investigative 
demand should be accompanied by a certification that the demand will 
have no bearing on any proceeding then in process.
    Section 1052(c)(1) provides, in relevant part, that ``the Bureau 
may, before the institution of any proceedings under the Federal 
consumer financial law, issue in writing, and cause to be served upon 
such person, a civil investigative demand.'' The language ``before the 
institution of any proceeding under Federal consumer financial law'' 
refers to the institution of proceedings by the Bureau related to the 
investigation that results in the proceeding. It does not limit the 
Bureau's authority to issue civil investigative demands based upon the 
commencement of a proceeding by other parties, such as a State or a 
private party. Nor does it limit the Bureau's authority to issue civil 
investigative demands to investigate potential violations of Federal 
consumer law not at issue in a pending proceeding.
    In addition, the Bureau notes that any limitations placed upon it 
by section 1052(c)(1) of the Dodd-Frank Act are incorporated in 12 CFR 
1080.6, which provides that civil investigative demands will be issued 
in accordance with section 1052(c) of the Dodd-Frank Act, 12 U.S.C. 
5562(c).
    One commenter argued the Right to Financial Privacy Act (RFPA), 12 
U.S.C. 3401 et seq., limits the Bureau's ability to bring 
administrative enforcement proceedings without a Director. The 
commenter contended RFPA restricts the Bureau's authority to share 
information protected under RFPA with the Secretary of the Treasury. 
The commenter therefore recommended that the Bureau revise the Interim 
Final Rule to provide that, until the Bureau has a Director, the Bureau 
will not commence or continue adjudication proceedings in cases where 
material information includes information that RFPA purportedly does 
not permit to be disclosed to the Secretary of the Treasury.
    As noted above, the President appointed a Director to the Bureau on 
January 4, 2012. The Bureau will comply with RFPA, but the commenters' 
particular concern about the sharing of information with the Secretary 
of the Treasury is moot.

V. Section-by-Section Analysis

Subpart A--General Rules

Section 1081.100 Scope of the Rules of Practice
    This section of the Interim Final Rule sets forth the scope of the 
Interim Final Rule and states that it applies to adjudication 
proceedings brought under section 1053 of the Dodd-Frank Act. The 
Interim Final Rule does not apply to Bureau investigations, 
rulemakings, or other proceedings. As drafted and pursuant to the 
definition of the term ``adjudication proceeding'' in Sec.  1081.103, 
the Interim Final Rule does not apply to the issuance, pursuant to 
section 1053(c) of the Dodd-Frank Act, of a temporary order to cease-
and-desist pending completion of the underlying cease-and-desist 
proceedings.
    The Bureau invited comments as to whether special rules governing 
such proceedings are necessary and, if so, what the rules should 
provide. One commenter recommended that the Bureau undertake a new 
rulemaking to promulgate rules governing temporary cease-and-desist 
proceedings initiated pursuant to section 1053(c) of the Dodd-Frank Act 
and suggested that such proceedings should be based on findings made on 
specific criteria. The commenter pointed to the Federal Deposit 
Insurance Corporation's rules governing temporary cease-and-desist 
proceedings, 12 CFR 308.131, as an example of such rules.
    The Bureau agrees that there should be specific rules governing 
temporary cease-and-desist proceedings initiated pursuant to section 
1053(c) of the Dodd-Frank Act, and currently intends to issue separate 
rules governing such proceedings.
    One commenter also sought clarification as to whether the Interim 
Final Rule was intended to apply to proceedings in which the Bureau is 
seeking civil money penalties available under section 1055(c) of the 
Dodd-Frank Act. 12 U.S.C. 5565(c). The commenter noted that in many 
instances, the Bureau is likely to seek both an order to cease-and-
desist and a civil money penalty based on the same facts. The commenter 
stated it would be more efficient to have both hearings combined into 
one hearing on the record.
    To provide further guidance to covered persons, the Bureau 
clarifies that it will rely on the Final Rule when seeking civil money 
penalties in adjudication proceedings. The Bureau agrees with the 
commenter that there will be many instances where the Bureau will 
simultaneously seek civil money penalties, a cease-and-desist order, 
and potentially other available remedies. The Bureau will periodically 
be reviewing its experience under the Final Rule to consider whether 
additional changes may be warranted, including whether additional rules 
governing the imposition of civil money penalties pursuant to section 
1055(c) of the Dodd-Frank Act would be beneficial.
    With the exception of a technical change in the citation to the 
Dodd-Frank Act, the Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.100 of the Interim Final 
Rule without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.101 Expedition and Fairness of Proceedings
    This section of the Interim Final Rule, which is modeled on the FTC 
Rules, 16 CFR 3.1, sets forth the Bureau's policy

[[Page 39061]]

to avoid delays in any stage of an adjudication proceeding while still 
ensuring fairness to all parties. It permits the hearing officer or the 
Director to shorten time periods established by the Interim Final Rule 
with the parties' consent. This authority could be used in proceedings 
where expedited hearings would serve the public interest or where the 
issues do not require expert discovery or extended evidentiary 
hearings.
    One commenter noted its strong support for fair and impartial 
adjudication proceedings, but indicated that whether such proceedings 
should also be ``expeditious'' depends on the meaning of that term, and 
on the facts and circumstances of individual cases. The Bureau notes 
that expeditious proceedings are contemplated under section 1053(b) of 
the Dodd-Frank Act, 12 U.S.C. 5563(b), which requires that the hearing 
be held no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days after the date 
of service of the notice of charges, unless an earlier or later date is 
set by the Bureau at the request of any party so served. The Bureau 
believes that, in drafting the Interim Final Rule, it created a process 
that simultaneously provides for the prompt and efficient resolution of 
claims and ensures that parties who appear before the Bureau receive a 
fair hearing.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.101 of the Interim Final Rule without 
change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.102 Rules of Construction
    This section of the Interim Final Rule, drawn from the Uniform 
Rules, 12 CFR 19.2, makes clear that the use of any term in the Interim 
Final Rule includes either its singular or plural form, as appropriate, 
and that the use of the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender shall, if 
appropriate, be read to encompass all three. This section also 
explicitly states that, unless otherwise indicated, any action required 
to be taken by a party to a proceeding may be taken by the party's 
counsel. Finally, this section to the Final Rule provides that terms 
not otherwise defined by Sec.  1081.103 should be defined in accordance 
with section 1002 of the Dodd-Frank Act, 12 U.S.C. 5481; the Interim 
Final Rule did not specifically reference section 1002.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.102 of the Interim Final Rule with the 
changes discussed above.
Section 1081.103 Definitions
    This section of the Interim Final Rule sets forth definitions of 
certain terms used in the Interim Final Rule.
    This section defines ``adjudication proceeding'' to include any 
proceeding conducted pursuant to section 1053 of the Dodd-Frank Act, 
except for proceedings related to the issuance of a temporary order to 
cease and desist pursuant to section 1053(c) of the Dodd-Frank Act. As 
previously noted, the Bureau currently intends to issue rules governing 
the issuance of temporary orders to cease and desist in the future.
    The Bureau intends for the term ``counsel'' to include any 
individual representing a party, including, as appropriate, an 
individual representing himself or herself. The term ``Director'' has 
been defined to include the Director, as well as any person authorized 
to perform the functions of the Director in accordance with the law. 
This is intended to allow the Deputy Director, or a delegee of the 
Director, as appropriate, to perform the functions of the Director. The 
term ``person employed by the Bureau'' is defined to include Bureau 
employees and contractors as well as others working under the direction 
of Bureau personnel, and is intended to encompass, among other things, 
consulting experts.
    On its own initiative, the Bureau replaced the defined term 
``Act,'' which had been defined as the Consumer Financial Protection 
Act of 2010, with the defined term ``Dodd-Frank Act'' and defined 
``Dodd-Frank Act'' to mean the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and 
Consumer Protection Act of 2010.
    On its own initiative, the Bureau has included a new definition in 
the Final Rule for the ``Office of Administrative Adjudication.'' The 
Interim Final Rule provided that the receipt of filings and certain 
other administrative tasks related to the Director's review of 
recommended decisions would be performed by the Bureau's Executive 
Secretary. After publication of the Interim Final Rule, the Bureau 
formed an Office of Administrative Adjudication to perform these 
functions. The Final Rule has been amended to reflect the creation of 
the Office of Administrative Adjudication and the transfer of the 
Executive Secretary's duties in adjudication proceedings to this 
Office. The defined term ``Executive Secretary'' has been removed from 
Sec.  1081.103 as unnecessary.
    On its own initiative, the Bureau also amended the definitions of 
``party'' and ``respondent'' to account for persons that intervene in a 
proceeding for the limited purpose of seeking a protective order 
pursuant to amended Sec.  1081.119(a).
    Finally, the Bureau changed the term ``Division of Enforcement'' to 
``Office of Enforcement'' to accurately reflect the Bureau's 
organizational nomenclature.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.103 of the Interim Final Rule with the 
changes discussed above.
Section 1081.104 Authority of the Hearing Officer
    This section of the Interim Final Rule enumerates powers granted to 
the hearing officer subsequent to appointment. The hearing officer has 
the powers specifically enumerated in paragraph (b) of this section, as 
well as the power to take any other action necessary and appropriate to 
discharge the duties of a presiding officer. All powers granted by this 
provision are intended to further the Bureau's goal of an expeditious, 
fair, and impartial hearing process. The powers set forth in this 
section are generally drawn from the Administrative Procedure Act 
(APA), 5 U.S.C. 556, 557, and are similar to the powers granted to 
hearing officers and administrative law judges under the Uniform Rules, 
the SEC Rules, and the FTC Rules.
    This section provides the hearing officer with the explicit 
authority to issue sanctions against parties or their counsel as may be 
necessary to deter sanctionable conduct, provided that any person to be 
sanctioned first has an opportunity to show cause as to why no sanction 
should issue. The Bureau believes such authority is included within the 
hearing officer's authority to regulate the course of the hearing, 5 
U.S.C. 556(c)(5), but considers it appropriate to explicitly authorize 
the exercise of such authority in the Final Rule. The Bureau notes that 
the MARs provide adjudicators with the authority ``to impose 
appropriate sanctions against any party or person failing to obey her/
his order, refusing to adhere to reasonable standards of orderly and 
ethical conduct, or refusing to act in good faith.'' See MARs, 11 T. M. 
Cooley L. Rev. at 83.
    One commenter recommended that this section be revised to make 
clear that the hearing officer has the authority to provide a person 
requesting confidential treatment of information the time to come into 
compliance with applicable requirements before making a determination 
regarding confidentiality. The commenter expressed concern that the 
section as drafted authorized the hearing officer to immediately make 
public purportedly confidential material if the applicable requirements 
were not met.
    The Bureau believes that the section as drafted adequately 
addresses this

[[Page 39062]]

circumstance. The hearing officer is authorized to ``deny confidential 
status to documents and testimony without prejudice until a party 
complies with all relevant rules'' (emphasis added). The inclusion of 
the ``without prejudice'' language authorizes the hearing officer to 
treat material as confidential while the party attempts to comply with 
the relevant rules. It also provides the hearing officer the authority 
to deny confidential status to documents when appropriate; for example, 
if a party repeatedly and/or willfully fails to comply with the 
requirements of the Final Rule.
    The section permits the hearing officer to deny confidential status 
without prejudice until a party complies with ``all relevant rules.'' 
The commenter stated that the reference to ``all relevant rules'' is 
vague because the adjudication proceeding could be based on a 
respondent's alleged noncompliance with other rules. The commenter 
questioned whether the respondent would have to comply with those other 
rules before the hearing officer will treat material as confidential 
for the purposes of the adjudication proceeding.
    The Bureau does not anticipate that the hearing officer will 
confuse the substantive rules the respondent is alleged to have 
violated with the procedural rules governing the treatment of 
purportedly confidential material. In light of this comment, however, 
and in the interest of providing covered persons additional guidance, 
the Bureau directs parties to Sec. Sec.  1081.111, 1081.112, and 
1081.119, as well as any applicable orders of the Director or hearing 
officer and any guidance issued by the Office of Administrative 
Adjudication, as the relevant rules with which persons seeking 
confidential treatment of material must comply.
    Finally, the commenter stated that the hearing officer's authority 
to ``reject written submissions that fail to comply with the 
requirements of this part, and to deny confidential status to documents 
and testimony without prejudice until a party complies with all 
relevant rules'' was unclear. The commenter suggested that the hearing 
officer should only be permitted to reject filings that ``materially'' 
fail to comply with applicable requirements, so as not to elevate form 
over substance.
    The Bureau has revised the Interim Final Rule to address this 
comment. Rejection of submissions merely because they fail to comply 
with this part in an immaterial fashion would be inconsistent with the 
Bureau's policy of encouraging fair and expeditious proceedings. 
Accordingly, the Bureau has revised Sec.  1081.104(b)(6). The Final 
Rule provides that the hearing officer has the authority to ``reject 
written submissions that materially fail to comply with the 
requirements of this part.'' The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.104 of the 
Interim Final Rule with the changes discussed above.
Section 1081.105 Assignment, Substitution, Performance, 
Disqualification of Hearing Officer
    This section of the Interim Final Rule is modeled on the FTC and 
the SEC Rules setting forth the process for assigning hearing officers 
in the event that more than one hearing officer is available to the 
Bureau. See 16 CFR 3.42(b), (e); 17 CFR 201.110, 201.112, 201.120. 
Consistent with 5 U.S.C. 3105, hearing officers will be ``assigned to 
cases in rotation so far as practicable.'' This section also sets forth 
the process by which hearing officers may be disqualified from 
presiding over an adjudication proceeding. The APA, 5 U.S.C. 556(b), 
provides that a hearing officer may disqualify himself or herself at 
any time. The standard for making a motion to disqualify requires that 
the movant have a reasonable, good faith basis for the motion. This 
standard is intended to emphasize that there must be an objective 
reason to seek a disqualification, not just a subjective, though 
sincerely held, belief. If a hearing officer does not withdraw in 
response to a motion for withdrawal, the motion is certified to the 
Director for his or her review in accordance with the Interim Final 
Rule's interlocutory review provision. Finally, this section provides 
the procedure for reassignment of a proceeding in the event a hearing 
officer becomes unavailable.
    No comments were received specifically relating to this section, 
but commenters strongly supported a policy that adjudications should be 
fair and impartial. To that end, the Bureau has amended Sec.  1081.201 
of the Interim Final Rule by adding a new paragraph (e), which will 
require respondents, nongovernmental amici, and nongovernmental 
intervenors under Sec.  1081.119(a) to file a disclosure statement and 
notification of financial interest. This disclosure statement and 
notification, discussed in more detail below, will provide the hearing 
officer and the parties with information to determine actual or 
potential bases for financial disqualification of the hearing officer 
early in the proceeding.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.105 of the Interim Final Rule without 
change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.106 Deadlines
    This section of the Interim Final Rule provides that deadlines for 
action by the hearing officer established by the Interim Final Rule do 
not confer any substantive rights on respondents. The SEC Rules, 17 CFR 
201.360(a)(2), contain similar language regarding the timelines set out 
for certain hearing officer actions in SEC proceedings.
    The Bureau received no comment on Sec.  1081.106 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.107 Appearance and Practice in Adjudication Proceedings
    This section of the Interim Final Rule is largely based on the 
Uniform Rules, 12 CFR 19.6, and prescribes who may act in a 
representative capacity for parties in adjudication proceedings. A 
notice of appearance is required to be filed by an individual 
representing any party, including an individual representing the 
Bureau, simultaneously with or before the submission of papers or other 
act of representation on behalf of a party. Any counsel filing a notice 
of appearance is deemed to represent that he or she agrees and is 
authorized to accept service on behalf of the represented party. The 
section also sets forth the standards of conduct expected of attorneys 
and others practicing before the Bureau. It provides that counsel may 
be excluded or suspended from proceedings, or disbarred from practicing 
before the Bureau, for engaging in sanctionable conduct during any 
phase of the adjudication proceeding.
    The Bureau received no comments on Sec.  1081.107, and the Final 
Rule is substantially similar to the Interim Final Rule. On the 
Bureau's own initiative, however, the Bureau amended Sec.  
1081.107(a)(1) to clarify that an attorney who is currently suspended 
or debarred from practicing in any jurisdiction may not appear before 
the Bureau or a hearing officer. This clarification is consistent with 
the SEC Rules, 17 CFR 201.102(e)(2), which provide for the suspension 
of any attorney who has been suspended or debarred by a court of the 
United States or of any State, and is designed to prohibit the 
appearance before the Bureau by a person who is authorized to practice 
in one State, but has been debarred or suspended in another 
jurisdiction.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.107 of the Interim Final Rule with the 
changes discussed above.

[[Page 39063]]

Section 1081.108 Good Faith Certification
    This section of the Interim Final Rule is based on the Uniform 
Rules, 12 CFR 19.7, and requires that all filings and submissions be 
signed by at least one counsel of record, or the party if appearing on 
his or her own behalf. This section provides that, by signing a filing 
or submission, the counsel or party certifies and attests that the 
document has been read by the signer, and, to the best of his or her 
knowledge, is well grounded in fact and is supported by existing law or 
a good faith argument for the extension or modification of the existing 
law. In addition, the certification attests that the filing or 
submission is not for purposes of unnecessary delay or any improper 
purpose. Oral motions or arguments are also subject to the good faith 
certification: The act of making the oral motion or argument 
constitutes the required certification. Finally, this section makes 
clear that a violation of the good faith certification requirement 
would be grounds for sanctions under Sec.  1081.104(b)(13). This 
section, which also mirrors the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil 
Procedure 11, is intended to ensure that parties and their counsel do 
not abuse the administrative process by making filings that are 
factually or legally unfounded or intended simply to delay or obstruct 
the proceeding.
    The Bureau received no comment on Sec.  1081.108 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.109 Conflict of Interest
    This section of the Interim Final Rule provides that, in general, 
conflicts of interest in representing parties to adjudication 
proceedings are prohibited. The hearing officer is empowered to take 
corrective steps to eliminate such conflicts. If counsel represents 
more than one party to a proceeding, counsel is required to file at the 
time he or she files his or her notice of appearance a certification 
that: (1) The potential for possible conflicts of interest has been 
fully discussed with each such party; and (2) the parties individually 
waive any right to assert any conflicts of interest during the 
proceeding. This approach is modeled after the Uniform Rules, 12 CFR 
19.8, which were based upon the Model Code of Conduct for attorneys and 
the District of Columbia Ethics Rule. See 56 FR 27790, 27793 (June 17, 
1991).
    The Bureau received no comment on Sec.  1081.109 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.110 Ex Parte Communication
    This section of the Interim Final Rule implements the APA's 
prohibition on ex parte communications. See 5 U.S.C. 554(d)(1), 
557(d)(1). Paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (b) are based on the Uniform 
Rules, 12 CFR 19.9(a), (b), and prohibit an ex parte communication 
relevant to the merits of an adjudication proceeding between a person 
not employed by the Bureau and the Director, hearing officer, or any 
decisional employee during the pendency of an adjudication proceeding. 
Paragraph (a)(3) defines the term ``pendency of an adjudication 
proceeding,'' and provides that if the person responsible for the 
communication has knowledge that a notice of charges will or is likely 
to be issued, the pendency of an adjudication shall be deemed to have 
commenced at the time of his or her acquisition of such knowledge. This 
provision implements 5 U.S.C. 557(d)(1)(E).
    Consistent with the MARs and the practice of other agencies, 
communications regarding the status of the proceeding are expressly 
excluded from the definition of ex parte communications. See MARs, 11 
T.M. Cooley L. Rev. at 87; 12 CFR 19.9(a)(2); 16 CFR 4.7(a). If an ex 
parte communication does occur, the document itself, or if oral, a 
memorandum describing the substance of the communication must be placed 
in the record. All other parties to the proceeding may have the 
opportunity to respond to the prohibited communication, and such 
response may include a recommendation for sanctions. The hearing 
officer or the Director, as appropriate, may determine whether 
sanctions are appropriate.
    Finally, paragraph (e) of this section provides that the hearing 
officer is not permitted to consult an interested person or a party on 
any matter relevant to the merits of the adjudication, except to the 
extent required for the disposition of ex parte matters. Consistent 
with 5 U.S.C. 554(d), this paragraph also provides that Bureau 
employees engaged in an investigational or prosecutorial function, 
other than the Director, may not participate in the decision-making 
function in the same or a factually related matter.
    The Bureau received several comments regarding this section. One 
commenter expressed the concern that it may be difficult to determine 
whether a notice of charges ``will be'' or is ``likely to be'' issued 
for the purpose of determining when the prohibition on ex parte 
communications begins. The commentator stated that, because an 
individual makes the final decision to issue a notice of charges and 
the individual's thinking could change unexpectedly, anything short of 
respondent's actual knowledge that a notice of charges has actually 
been issued should be insufficient to begin the prohibition on ex parte 
communications. The commentator stated that it would not be appropriate 
to sanction someone for an ex parte communication when the person does 
not know whether a notice of charges has been issued. The commenter 
proposed that the Bureau revise this section of the Interim Final Rule 
to begin the ban on ex parte communications upon notice of actual 
issuance and service of a notice of charges, regardless of whether the 
person has knowledge that a notice of charges will be issued. 
Similarly, in cases in which a court has vacated a final decision and 
order and remanded a matter for further adjudication proceedings, the 
commenter proposed that this section of the Interim Final Rule be 
revised to prohibit ex parte communications after remand beginning when 
the party actually knows the Bureau will not file an appeal because the 
time for filing an appeal has lapsed and the party has not been served 
with a notice of appeal.
    The Bureau has revised the section after considering these 
comments. The APA provides that the prohibition on ex parte 
communications ``shall apply beginning at such time as the agency may 
designate, but in no case shall they begin to apply later than the time 
at which a proceeding is noticed for hearing unless the person 
responsible for the communication has knowledge that it will be 
noticed, in which case the prohibitions shall apply beginning at the 
time of his acquisition of such knowledge.'' 5 U.S.C. 557(d)(1)(E). The 
APA does not, however, prohibit ex parte communications from the time a 
party knows a proceeding ``is likely to be'' issued. Accordingly, the 
Bureau has struck the phrase ``is likely to be'' from Sec.  
1081.110(a)(3).
    The Bureau has also revised Sec.  1081.110(a)(3) with respect to 
the timing of the respondent's knowledge of whether the Bureau will 
file an appeal. The Final Rule removes that provision of the Interim 
Final Rule stating that ``an order of remand by a court of competent 
jurisdiction shall be deemed to become effective when the Bureau 
determines not to file an appeal or a petition for a writ of 
certiorari,'' and slightly revises the rest of the section to reflect 
the fact that review of an appellate court's decision may only be had 
upon the grant of a petition for rehearing by the

[[Page 39064]]

panel or an en banc panel, or the grant of a petition for a writ of 
certiorari. This amendment responds to the commenter's concern that a 
respondent will not know whether the Bureau intends to appeal until the 
Bureau provides notice of its intention.
    Finally, paragraph (e) provides that Bureau employees engaged in an 
investigational or prosecutorial function, other than the Director, may 
not participate in the decision-making function in the same or a 
factually related matter. The commenter expressed concern that this 
section would permit the Director to engage in ex parte communications 
with Bureau enforcement counsel regarding the decision, recommended 
decision, or agency review of the recommended decision in the same or 
factually related case. The commenter therefore recommended that this 
section be revised to prohibit enforcement counsel from communicating 
with the Director under these circumstances.
    The Bureau notes that, while this section of the Interim Final Rule 
does not bar enforcement counsel from communicating with the Director 
regarding matters unrelated to the Director's adjudicatory functions, 
this section expressly prohibits enforcement counsel from participating 
or advising in the decision, recommended decision, or agency review of 
the recommended decision, except as witness or counsel in a public 
proceeding. The Bureau believes that these prohibitions are consistent 
with the separation of functions provision of the APA, 5 U.S.C. 554(d), 
and address the commenter's concern. Accordingly, the Bureau declines 
to revise paragraph (e).
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.110 of the Interim Final Rule with the 
changes discussed above.
Section 1081.111 Filing of Papers
    This section of the Interim Final Rule requires the filing of 
papers in an adjudication proceeding. It specifies the papers that must 
be filed and addresses the time and manner of filing. The Bureau 
received no comments regarding this section. In the interest of clarity 
and to provide further guidance to parties, however, the Bureau has 
amended the Interim Final Rule in several respects.
    First, the Final Rule makes technical revisions to paragraph (a) to 
require the filing of the disclosure statement and notification of 
financial interest required under the new Sec.  1081.201(e). The Final 
Rule also includes a slight revision to paragraph (a) intended to 
clarify that the Bureau must file the proof of service of the notice of 
charges. Among other things, the filing of the proof of service will 
provide notice of the beginning of the ten-day period after which the 
Bureau will publish the notice of charges under Sec.  1081.200(c).
    The Final Rule makes non-substantive changes to paragraph (b) of 
the Interim Final Rule to make uniform the references to the United 
States Postal Service and the different mail services. The Bureau also 
revised paragraph (b) to reflect the transfer of certain authorities to 
the newly-created Office of Administrative Adjudication. As a result, 
the section provides for filing by electronic transmission upon the 
conditions specified by the Office of Administrative Adjudication, 
recognizing that while the Bureau anticipates the development of an 
electronic filing system, it may adopt other means of electronic filing 
in the interim (e.g., email transmission). The section authorizes other 
methods of filing if a respondent demonstrates, in accordance with 
guidance issued by the Office of Administrative Adjudication, that 
filing via electronic transmission is not practical.
    Finally, the Bureau added a new paragraph (c), providing that 
unless otherwise ordered by the Bureau or the hearing officer, or in 
the absence of a pending motion seeking such an order, all papers filed 
in connection with an adjudication proceeding are presumed to be open 
to the public. This paragraph is consistent with the Bureau's 
commitment to making adjudication proceedings as transparent as 
reasonably possible, as reflected in Sec. Sec.  1081.119(c) and 
1081.300, which both recognize a presumption that documents and 
testimony in adjudication hearings are public.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.111 of the Interim Final Rule with the 
changes discussed above.
Section 1081.112 Formal Requirements as to Papers Filed
    This section of the Interim Final Rule sets forth the formal 
requirements for papers filed in adjudication proceedings. It sets 
forth formatting requirements, requires that all documents be signed in 
accordance with Sec.  1081.108, and requires the redaction of sensitive 
personal information from filings where the filing party determines 
that such information is not relevant or otherwise necessary for the 
conduct of the proceeding. This section also sets forth the method of 
filing documents containing information for which confidential 
treatment has been granted or is sought, and requires that in addition 
to filing the confidential information under seal, an expurgated copy 
of the filing be made on the public record. Section 1081.119 governs 
the filing of motions seeking confidential treatment of information and 
sets forth the standard to be applied by the hearing officer in 
determining whether to grant such treatment.
    One commenter suggested that the Bureau remove the requirement in 
paragraph (e) that sensitive personal information be redacted from 
filings. The commenter believed that this requirement was not workable 
because the Interim Final Rule did not define ``sensitive personal 
information'' and only provided examples of such information. The 
commenter also pointed out that the Uniform Rules and the SEC Rules do 
not require the redaction of sensitive personal information.
    The Bureau declines to omit the requirement that sensitive personal 
information be redacted from filings. The Bureau continues to believe 
that it is improper to file Social Security numbers, financial account 
numbers, and other sensitive personal information in an adjudication 
proceeding where the information is not relevant or otherwise necessary 
for the conduct of the proceeding. The Bureau notes that this section 
is modeled on the FTC Rules, 16 CFR 3.45(b), and is also similar to 
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2, which require filers to redact 
certain personal information, including Social Security numbers and 
financial account numbers, from filings. The Bureau agrees, however, 
that the term ``sensitive personal information'' should be defined and 
has therefore revised paragraph (e) to define that term.
    The commenter also recommended the removal of paragraph (f)(2), 
which requires a party seeking confidential treatment of information in 
a filing to file an expurgated copy of the filing with the allegedly 
confidential material redacted. Specifically, the commenter stated that 
paragraph (f)(2)'s requirement that the redacted version show the size 
and location of the redactions could, in effect, disclose what was 
redacted and may be impractical when redactions are made 
electronically. The commenter stated that the SEC Rules and Uniform 
Rules do not include this requirement. The Bureau notes that paragraph 
(f)(2) is modeled on the FTC Rules, 16 CFR 3.45(e), and that the 
commenter did not identify how this redaction requirement could 
disclose confidential information or would be impractical. Accordingly, 
the Bureau declines to omit this requirement.
    Section 1081.112(e) has been revised to include a definition of 
sensitive personal information, and to clarify the

[[Page 39065]]

obligations of a party filing a document containing sensitive personal 
information. Section 1081.112(f) has been revised to clarify the 
obligation of parties to comply with any applicable order of the 
hearing officer or the Director when seeking confidential treatment of 
information in a filing.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.112 of the Interim Final Rule with the 
changes discussed above.
Section 1081.113 Service of Papers
    This section of the Interim Final Rule requires that every paper 
filed in a proceeding be served on all other parties to the proceeding 
in the manner set forth in this section. Service by electronic 
transmission is encouraged, but is conditioned upon the consent of the 
parties. The section also sets forth specific methods for the Bureau to 
serve notices of charges, as well as recommended decisions and final 
orders. In this regard, the section provides that such service cannot 
be made by First Class mail, but also provides that service may be made 
on authorized agents for service of process.
    The section also provides that the Bureau may serve persons at the 
most recent business address provided to the Bureau in connection with 
a person's registration with the Bureau. Although no such registration 
requirements currently exist, the Bureau has included this provision to 
account for any such requirements in the future. In the event that a 
party is required to register with the Bureau and maintain the accuracy 
of such registration information, the Bureau should be entitled to rely 
upon such information for service of process. This provision is modeled 
on the SEC Rules, 17 CFR 201.141(a)(2)(iii).
    The Bureau did not receive comments specifically related to Sec.  
1081.113. However, the Bureau made technical revisions to clarify and 
make this section of the Final Rule consistent with other sections of 
the Final Rule. The Bureau revised paragraph (d)(1)(v), which requires 
the Bureau to maintain a record of service of the notice of charges on 
parties, to also require the Bureau to file the certificate of service 
consistent with revised Sec.  1081.111(a) to give notice of the 
beginning of the ten-day period after which the Bureau will publish the 
notice of charges under Sec.  1081.200(c).
    In addition, the Bureau revised paragraph (a) of this section to 
make it clear that the parties must comply with any applicable order of 
the hearing officer or the Director governing the service of papers.
    Finally, as it did with Sec.  1081.111(b), the Bureau made non-
substantive changes to paragraphs (c) and (d) to make uniform the 
references to the United States Postal Service and the different mail 
services.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.113 of the Interim Final Rule with the 
changes discussed above.
Section 1081.114 Construction of Time Limits
    This section of the Interim Final Rule provides for the manner of 
computing time limits, taking into account the effect of weekends and 
holidays on time periods that are ten days or less. This section also 
sets forth when filing or service is effective. With regard to time 
limits for responsive pleadings or papers, this section incorporates a 
three-day extension for mail service, similar to the Federal Rules of 
Civil Procedure, and a one-day extension for overnight delivery, as 
contained in some agencies' existing rules. A one-day extension for 
service by electronic transmission is consistent with the Uniform Rules 
and reflects that electronic transmission may result in delays in 
actual receipt by the person served.
    Although the Bureau did not receive comments specifically related 
to Sec.  1081.114, the Bureau made technical, non-substantive revisions 
to this section. As it did with Sec. Sec.  1081.111 and 1081.113, the 
Bureau made non-substantive changes to make uniform the references to 
the United States Postal Service and the different mail services.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.114 of the Interim Final Rule with the 
changes discussed above.
Section 1081.115 Change of Time Limits
    This section of the Interim Final Rule is modeled on the SEC Rules, 
17 CFR 201.161, and is intended to limit extensions of time to those 
necessary to prevent substantial prejudice. The section is intended to 
further the Bureau's goal of ensuring the timely conclusion of 
adjudication proceedings. The section generally provides the hearing 
officer and the Director the authority to extend the time limits 
prescribed by the Interim Final Rule in certain defined circumstances. 
In keeping with the goal of expeditious resolution of proceedings, this 
section provides that motions for extension of time are strongly 
disfavored and may only be granted after consideration of various 
enumerated factors, provided that the requesting party makes a strong 
showing that denial of the motion would substantially prejudice its 
case. The section also provides that any extension of time shall not 
exceed 21 days unless the hearing officer or Director, as appropriate, 
states on the record or in a written order the reasons why a longer 
extension of time is necessary. Finally, the section provides that the 
granting of a motion for an extension of time does not affect the 
deadline for the recommended decision of the hearing officer, which 
must be filed no later than the earlier of 300 days after the filing of 
the notice or charges or 90 days after the end of post-hearing briefing 
(unless separately extended by the Director as provided for in Sec.  
1081.400).
    Commenters expressed concern over paragraph (b) of this section, 
which sets forth a policy strongly disfavoring motions for extensions 
of time. The commenters recommended that the Bureau delete paragraph 
(b).
    The Bureau believes the policy reflected in paragraph (b) ensures 
fairness to both the parties and the hearing officer by allowing an 
administrative matter to proceed within the timeframes provided by the 
Interim Final Rule, which were designed to provide sufficient time to 
both the litigants and the hearing officer. The Bureau believes that 
mandatory deadlines for the completion of certain stages of 
administrative proceedings, and a policy strongly disfavoring 
extensions, postponements or adjournments, is necessary to ensure that 
these proceedings are expeditious and fair.
    The Bureau notes that the SEC amended its rules in 2003 to improve 
the timeliness of its administrative proceedings. The SEC Rules, 17 CFR 
201.161, on which this section is modeled, were revised in 2003 to 
incorporate a policy strongly disfavoring extensions, postponements or 
adjournments except in circumstances where the requesting party makes a 
strong showing that the denial of the request or motion would 
substantially prejudice its case. The SEC stated that this provision 
was necessary in light of another amendment to the SEC Rules that 
changed the suggested guidelines for completion of administrative 
matters to mandatory deadlines. See 68 FR 35787 (June 17, 2003). The 
Bureau finds the SEC's experience instructive, and declines to delete 
paragraph (b) of this section.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.115 of the Interim Final Rule without 
change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.116 Witness Fees and Expenses
    This section of the Interim Final Rule provides that fees and 
expenses for non-party witnesses subpoenaed pursuant to

[[Page 39066]]

the Interim Final Rule shall be the same as for witnesses in United 
States district courts.
    The Bureau received no comment on Sec.  1081.116 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.117 Bureau's Right To Conduct Examination, Collect 
Information
    This section of the Interim Final Rule, which is modeled on the 
Uniform Rules, 12 CFR 19.16, states that nothing contained in the 
Interim Final Rule shall be construed to limit the right of the Bureau 
to conduct examinations or visitations of any person, or the right of 
the Bureau to conduct any form of investigation authorized by law, or 
to take other actions the Bureau is authorized to take outside the 
context of conducting adjudication proceedings. This section is 
intended to clarify that the pendency of an adjudication proceeding 
with respect to a person shall not affect the Bureau's authority to 
exercise any of its powers with respect to that person.
    One commenter asserted that section 1052(c)(1) of the Dodd-Frank 
Act prohibits the Bureau from issuing civil investigative demands after 
the institution of any proceedings under Federal consumer financial 
law, including proceedings initiated by a State law enforcement agency 
or a private party. The commenter asked the Bureau to amend the Interim 
Final Rule to require every civil investigative demand to be 
accompanied by a certification that the demand will have no bearing on 
any proceeding then in process.
    This comment arguably should have been directed to the Rules of 
Investigation, 12 CFR part 1080, but the Bureau addresses it here. The 
Bureau notes that this section of the Interim Final Rule did not 
purport to implement or interpret section 1052(c)(1) of the Dodd-Frank 
Act. Rather, it states that nothing within ``this part'' (i.e., the 
Interim Final Rule) should be construed as limiting the Bureau's 
supervisory, investigatory, or other authority to gather information in 
accordance with law. The Bureau does not agree with the commenter's 
interpretation of section 1052(c)(1) of the Dodd-Frank Act, but notes 
that any limitations placed upon it by that section are incorporated in 
12 CFR 1080.6, which provides that civil investigative demands will be 
issued in accordance with section 1052(c) of the Dodd-Frank Act.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.117 of the Interim Final Rule without 
change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.118 Collateral Attacks on Adjudication Proceedings
    This section of the Interim Final Rule, which is modeled on the 
Uniform Rules, 12 CFR 19.17, is intended to preclude the use of 
collateral attacks to circumvent or delay the administrative process.
    The Bureau received no comment on Sec.  1081.118 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.119 Confidential Information; Protective Orders
    This section of the Interim Final Rule sets forth the means by 
which a party or another person may seek a protective order shielding 
confidential information. While generally modeled on the SEC Rules, 17 
CFR 201.322, this section of the Interim Final Rule adopts the 
substantive standard set forth in the FTC Rules, 16 CFR 3.45(b), which 
provides that the hearing officer may grant a protective order only 
upon a finding that public disclosure will likely result in a clearly 
defined, serious injury to the person requesting confidential 
treatment, or after finding that the material constitutes sensitive 
personal information. The Bureau adopted the FTC's standard in order to 
provide as much transparency in the adjudicative process as possible, 
while also protecting confidential business information or other 
sensitive information of parties appearing before the Bureau or third 
parties whose information may be introduced into evidence. The Bureau 
expects that the standard set forth in this section will be met in 
cases where the disclosure of trade secrets or other information to the 
public or to parties is likely to result in harm, but that the standard 
will not be met simply because the information at issue is deemed 
``confidential'' or ``proprietary'' by the movant. To the extent that a 
movant can identify a clearly defined, serious injury likely to result 
from the disclosure of such particular information, it will be 
protected; generalized claims of competitive or other injury generally 
will not suffice. This section provides that documents subject to a 
motion for confidential treatment will be maintained under seal until 
the motion is decided.
    One commenter expressed concern that the Interim Final Rule may not 
accommodate a situation where the person seeking confidential treatment 
is not the same as the person who would be harmed by the disclosure of 
the material. In order to clarify the rights of third parties whose 
confidential information may be disclosed during the adjudicative 
process, the Bureau added a new paragraph (a), providing that a party 
may not disclose confidential information obtained from a third party 
without providing the third party at least ten days notice prior to the 
disclosure. In response to this notice, the third party has the option 
to consent to the disclosure of such information, which may be 
conditioned on the entry of a protective order, or may intervene in the 
proceeding for the limited purpose of moving for a protective order 
pursuant to this section. The new paragraph (a) further provides that a 
party must certify that proper notice was provided for any written 
filing or oral motion or argument that contains confidential 
information obtained from a third party.
    In order to streamline the process for disclosing confidential 
information obtained from third parties, the Bureau revised paragraph 
(b) of the Interim Final Rule (paragraph (c) of the Final Rule) to 
provide for the mandatory entry of a stipulated protective order that 
has been agreed to by all parties, including third parties to the 
extent their information is at issue. However, the Office of 
Enforcement reserves the right to refuse to stipulate to a protective 
order that does not meet the substantive standards set forth in this 
section.
    One commenter recommended that the Bureau adopt the SEC's standard 
for granting a protective order and revise paragraph (b) of the Interim 
Final Rule to provide that a ``motion for a protective order shall be 
granted only upon a finding that the harm resulting from disclosure 
would outweigh the benefits of disclosure.''
    As noted above, the Bureau considered the SEC's standard, but 
ultimately decided to adopt the FTC's standard because it comports with 
the Bureau's goals of providing transparency in the adjudicative 
process while also protecting confidential business information or 
other sensitive information. The Bureau believes the standard it adopts 
in this section serves the public interest by balancing the need for a 
public understanding of the Bureau's adjudication proceedings with the 
interests of respondents in avoiding competitive injury from public 
disclosure of information. See In re Gen. Foods Corp., 95 F.T.C. 352 
(1980).
    The commenter raised a number of specific concerns regarding the 
Bureau's adoption of the FTC's standard. First, the commenter stated 
that the standard prevents a financial institution from seeking 
confidential treatment of its customers' personal information. However, 
the Interim Final Rule

[[Page 39067]]

provides that a protective order shall be issued after finding that the 
material constitutes sensitive personal information. There is no 
prohibition on persons seeking confidential treatment of sensitive 
personal information of other persons. On the contrary, the Bureau 
contemplates that the sensitive personal information of consumers will 
regularly be protected under Sec. Sec.  1081.112(e) and 1081.119(b), 
whether because of a motion for a protective order filed by a person 
other than the consumer or stipulated to by the parties, or because of 
the requirement that sensitive personal information generally be 
redacted under Sec.  1081.112(e).
    The commenter also objected to this standard because it does not 
define the terms ``serious injury,'' ``likely,'' or ``clearly 
defined.'' The commenter identified the unpredictable possibility of 
identity theft as a possibility of injury that may not be ``likely.'' 
The Bureau believes that the commenter's concerns regarding potential 
identity theft should be addressed by Sec.  1081.112(e), which 
generally requires the redaction of sensitive personal information. The 
Bureau reiterates that it anticipates that sensitive personal 
information of consumers will regularly be protected from public 
disclosure. The Bureau again notes that Sec.  1081.112(e) is based on 
the FTC Rules, 16 CFR 3.45(b), and that the FTC has significant 
experience applying these standards in many types of cases. The Bureau 
believes leaving these terms undefined provides the hearing officer 
with the necessary flexibility to address confidentiality concerns on a 
case-by-case basis based on the relevant facts and circumstances. At 
the same time, this standard is consistent with the Bureau's goal of 
transparency and avoids granting confidential status based on 
unsupported and generalized claims of competitive or other injury.
    The commenter also stated that the Interim Final Rule does not 
accommodate the possibility that the public disclosure of information 
may be illegal under laws unrelated to the adjudication proceeding. The 
Bureau agrees and has therefore revised paragraph (b) of this section 
(now paragraph (c)) to break up the bases for issuance of protective 
orders into subsections and to include a new subsection making clear 
that the hearing officer shall grant a protective order where public 
disclosure is prohibited by law.
    Finally, consistent with the Bureau's commitment to transparency 
and open government, the Bureau clarified paragraph (b) of the Interim 
Rule (paragraph (c) of the Final Rule) to recognize that documents and 
testimony filed in connection with an adjudication proceeding are 
presumed to be public. This clarification is consistent with Sec.  
1081.300 and the revised Sec.  1081.111(c), both of which recognize a 
presumption that documents, testimony, and hearings are public.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.119 of the Interim Final Rule with the 
changes discussed above.
Section 1081.120 Settlement
    This section of the Interim Final Rule is based on the SEC Rules, 
17 CFR 201.240. The Bureau on its own initiative revised this section 
to make it consistent with Sec.  1081.100 of this part regarding the 
scope of the Interim Final Rule. Section 1081.100 makes clear that the 
Interim Final Rule applies only to adjudication proceedings authorized 
by section 1053 of the Dodd-Frank Act and not to Bureau investigations, 
investigational hearings or other proceedings that do not arise from 
proceedings after the issuance of a notice of charges. As revised, this 
section governs only offers of settlement made after the institution of 
adjudication proceedings under this part. Under this section, any 
respondent in a proceeding may make an offer of settlement in writing 
at any time. Any settlement offer shall be presented to the Director 
with a recommendation, except that, if the recommendation is 
unfavorable, the offer shall not be presented to the Director unless 
the person making the offer so requests.
    The section requires that each offer of settlement recite or 
incorporate as part of the offer the provisions of paragraphs (c)(3) 
and (4). Because certain facts necessary for the Director to make a 
reasoned judgment as to whether a particular settlement offer is in the 
public interest will often be available only to the Bureau employee 
that negotiated the proposed settlement, paragraph (c)(4)(i) requires 
waiver of any provisions, under the Interim Final Rule or otherwise, 
that may be construed to prohibit ex parte communications regarding the 
settlement offer between the Director and Bureau employee involved in 
litigating the proceeding. Paragraph (c)(4)(ii) requires waiver of any 
right to claim bias or prejudgment by the Director arising from the 
Director's consideration or discussions concerning settlement of all or 
any part of the proceeding. If the Director rejects the offer of 
settlement, the person making the offer shall be notified of the 
Director's action. The rejection of the offer of settlement shall not 
affect the continued validity of the waivers pursuant to paragraph 
(c)(4).
    The Bureau also revised this section to include a new paragraph (d) 
governing the content of stipulations and consent orders and providing 
a process for resolving an adjudication proceeding through a consent 
order. This process requires the respondent and the Bureau to reduce 
the terms of any settlement into a written stipulation and consent 
order memorializing the terms of the settlement and including certain 
required provisions. The Bureau will then issue an order with the 
consent of the respondent.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.120 of the Interim Final Rule with the 
changes discussed above.
Section 1081.121 Cooperation With Other Agencies
    This section of the Interim Final Rule sets forth the Bureau's 
policy to cooperate with other governmental agencies to avoid 
unnecessary overlapping or duplication of regulatory functions.
    The Bureau received no comment on Sec.  1081.121 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.

Subpart B--Initiation of Proceedings and Prehearing Rules

Section 1081.200 Commencement of Proceedings and Contents of Notice of 
Charges
    This section of the Interim Final Rule, similar to the comparable 
section of the Uniform Rules, 12 CFR 19.18, contains the requirements 
relating to the initiation of adjudication proceedings, including the 
required content of a notice of charges initiating a hearing. In 
provisions modeled on the MARs and the Federal Rules of Civil 
Procedure, see MARs, 11 T.M. Cooley L. Rev. at 96; Fed. R. Civ. P. 
41(a), this section also sets forth the circumstances under which the 
Bureau may voluntarily dismiss an adjudication proceeding, either on 
its own motion before the respondent(s) serve an answer, or by filing a 
stipulation of dismissal signed by all parties who have appeared. 
Unless the notice or stipulation of dismissal states otherwise, a 
dismissal pursuant to this section is without prejudice. In keeping 
with the principle that Bureau proceedings are presumed to be public, 
this section also provides that a notice of charges shall be released 
to the public after affording the respondent or others an opportunity 
to seek a protective order to shield confidential information.
    On its own initiative, the Bureau amended this section to include a 
new

[[Page 39068]]

paragraph (d) to conform with the revisions made to Sec.  1081.120 and 
to provide a procedural mechanism to commence an adjudication 
proceeding to effectuate a settlement agreed to before the filing of a 
notice of charges. As noted above, Sec.  1081.120 has been revised to 
clarify that the settlement procedure laid out in that section applies 
only after a notice of charges has been issued. The Bureau recognizes, 
however, that settlement negotiations may commence prior to the filing 
of a notice of charges. In those circumstances, the Bureau may 
determine that an adjudication proceeding--rather than litigation 
elsewhere--is the most appropriate forum in which to enter a consent 
order. New paragraph (d) therefore provides that, where the parties 
agree to settlement before the filing of a notice of charges, a 
proceeding may be commenced by filing a stipulation and a consent order 
concluding the proceeding. Paragraph (d) also requires that certain 
information be included in the stipulation, tracking the information 
required under Sec.  1081.120(d). Finally, in the interest of 
transparency, paragraph (d) requires that the consent order set forth 
the legal authority for the proceeding and for the Bureau's 
jurisdiction over the proceeding, and a statement of the matters of 
fact and law showing that the Bureau is entitled to relief. See Sec.  
1081.200(b)(1) and (2).
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.200 of the Interim Final Rule with the 
changes discussed above.
Section 1081.201 Answer and Disclosure Statement and Notification of 
Financial Interest
    This section of the Interim Final Rule requires a respondent to 
file an answer in all cases. The Bureau considered, but rejected, the 
approach set forth in the SEC Rules, 17 CFR 201.220(a), whereby an 
answer is required only if specified in the notice of charges. The 
Bureau believes that an answer can help focus and narrow the matters at 
issue.
    Pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, respondents must file an 
answer within 14 days of service of the notice of charges. The 14-day 
time period is adopted from the FTC Rules, 16 CFR 3.12. Two commenters 
requested that paragraph (a) of this section be amended to provide 20 
days from service of the notice of charges, rather than 14 days, to 
file an answer. One commenter stated that it takes a considerable 
amount of time to review the notice of charges, investigate the factual 
and legal allegations, determine the appropriate response, and draft an 
answer. That commenter also stated that more than 14 days will be 
necessary to prepare an answer because the Bureau is not required to 
provide affirmative disclosures pursuant to Sec.  1081.206(d) until 
seven days after service of the notice of charges. Both commenters note 
that the Federal banking agencies and the SEC allow 20 days to file an 
answer. Finally, one commentator stated that the 14-day requirement may 
cause respondents to answer with repeated assertions that they lack 
information, leading to fewer stipulations, and undercutting the 
Bureau's goal of timely adjudications.
    The Bureau declines to amend the Interim Final Rule as requested. 
The statutory requirement that a hearing be held between 30 to 60 days 
after the service of the notice of charges, unless an earlier date is 
set at the request of any party so served, necessitates a compressed 
timeline for litigating adjudication proceedings. The Bureau is not 
alone in setting a 14-day deadline for an answer. As noted above, the 
FTC requires respondents in administrative proceedings to file an 
answer within 14 days of service of the complaint.
    Further, as noted above, the Bureau has adopted a policy pursuant 
to which it will generally provide advance notice of a possible 
enforcement action to prospective respondents before filing a notice of 
charges. Recipients of such notices will have an opportunity to submit 
a response in writing. As a result, many respondents will have 
considered and responded to most or all of the Bureau's allegations 
before receiving the notice of charges. The advance notice will also 
give respondents a prior opportunity to identify facts to which they 
may stipulate, addressing the expressed concern that a 14-day deadline 
to answer may lead to fewer factual stipulations.
    Likewise, the Bureau is not persuaded that respondents need 
additional time to answer after receiving the Bureau's affirmative 
disclosure documents. In typical civil litigation, and in 
administrative proceedings before the prudential regulators and the 
FTC, respondents file an answer before conducting any discovery. The 
Bureau's affirmative disclosure obligation will be triggered before a 
respondent's answer is due. Thus, respondents will have access to more 
information prior to filing an answer than is available to most 
respondents in other civil and administrative proceedings.
    Finally, pursuant to Sec.  1081.115, a respondent may ask for an 
extension of time to file an answer. While such extensions are strongly 
disfavored, they may be granted if the respondent makes a strong 
showing that the denial of its motion for an extension of time would 
substantially prejudice its case. For all of these reasons, the Bureau 
declines to amend the deadline for filing an answer contained in 
paragraph (a) of Sec.  1081.201 of the Interim Final Rule.
    As in the Uniform Rules, 12 CFR 19.19(c), paragraph (d) of this 
section provides that failure to file a timely answer is deemed to be a 
waiver of the right to appear and a consent to the entry of an order 
granting the relief sought by the Bureau in the notice of charges. This 
section provides that in the case of default, the hearing officer is 
authorized, without further proceedings, to find the facts to be as 
alleged in the notice of charges and to enter a recommended decision 
containing appropriate findings and conclusions.
    Paragraph (d)(2) of this section adopts the procedure from the SEC 
Rules for a motion to set aside a default, 17 CFR 201.155. It also 
provides that the hearing officer, prior to the filing of the 
recommended decision, or the Director, at any time, may set aside a 
default for good cause shown.
    In the discussion of Sec.  1081.105 above, the Bureau noted the 
addition of a new Sec.  1081.201(e) requiring the filing of a 
disclosure statement and notification of financial interest. Consistent 
with the Bureau's goal of an expeditious, fair, and impartial hearing 
process, the Bureau seeks to provide the parties and the hearing 
officer with information to identify potential or actual bases for 
disqualification early in the process. Section 1081.201(e) is modeled 
on the disclosure statements required under Federal Rule of Civil 
Procedure 7.1, Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 26.1, Third Circuit 
Local Appellate Rule 26.1.1, and Sixth Circuit Rule 26.1. This 
disclosure is calculated to reach a majority of the circumstances that 
are likely to call for disqualification on the basis of financial 
information that a hearing officer may not know or recollect; however, 
the disclosure does not cover all of the circumstances that may call 
for disqualification. In addition to requiring a respondent, a 
nongovernmental amicus, or a nongovernmental intervenor to identify any 
parent corporation or any publicly owned corporation owning 10% or more 
of its stock, Sec.  1081.201(e) also requires the identification of 
``any publicly owned corporation not a party to the proceeding that has 
a financial interest in the outcome of the proceeding and the nature of 
that interest.'' The types of financial interests that must be 
disclosed under this section include, for example, insurance, 
franchise, or indemnity agreements giving a publicly

[[Page 39069]]

owned corporation a financial interest in the outcome of the 
proceeding. See, e.g., Sixth Circuit Rule 26.1(b)(2).
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.201 of the Interim Final Rule with the 
changes discussed above.
Section 1081.202 Amended Pleadings
    This section of the Interim Final Rule provides that a notice of 
charges or an answer may be amended or supplemented as a matter of 
course at any stage of the proceeding.
    The Bureau did not receive comment on Sec.  1081.202, but the 
Bureau has amended paragraph (a) of this section on its own initiative 
to require a party who wishes to amend a pleading to obtain the consent 
of the other party or leave of the hearing officer. By requiring 
written consent or leave of the hearing officer to amend pleadings, the 
revised section encourages parties to plead their case fully, as 
opposed to reserving claims and defenses for last minute amendments. 
This section continues to reflect a liberal standard of permitting 
amendments of pleadings, but implements an appropriate limit for 
amendments that are unduly prejudicial.
    The Bureau adopts paragraph (b) of Sec.  1081.202 of the Interim 
Final Rule without change. As a result, when a party seeks to introduce 
evidence at a hearing that is outside the scope of matters raised in 
the notice of charges or answer, the hearing officer may admit the 
evidence when admission is likely to assist in adjudicating the merits 
of the action unless the objecting party demonstrates that admission of 
such evidence would unfairly prejudice that party's action or defense 
upon the merits.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.202 of the Interim Final Rule with the 
changes discussed above.
Section 1081.203 Scheduling Conference
    Section 1081.203 of the Interim Final Rule sets forth the 
requirements related to scheduling conferences. Paragraph (a) of this 
section requires the parties to meet before the initial scheduling 
conference to discuss the nature and basis of their claims and 
defenses, the possibilities for a prompt settlement or resolution of 
the case, and other matters to be determined at the scheduling 
conference.
    Paragraph (b) of Sec.  1081.203 of the Interim Final Rule provides 
that within 20 days of the service of the notice of charges, or at 
another time if the parties agree, the hearing officer and the parties 
are to have a scheduling conference. The Bureau revised paragraph (b) 
to clarify that a scheduling conference is to be held, not just 
scheduled, within 20 days of service of the notice of charges. This 
clarification is intended to reflect the Bureau's original intent with 
respect to the timing of the scheduling conference.
    Paragraph (b) of this section also sets forth the issues to be 
discussed at the scheduling conference. These issues are drawn from 
those the parties are required to discuss at scheduling and prehearing 
conferences under the Uniform Rules, 12 CFR 19.31, the SEC Rules, 17 
CFR 201.221, and the FTC Rules, 16 CFR 3.21. Paragraph (b)(1) provides 
that the parties shall be prepared to address the determination of 
hearing dates and location, and whether, in proceedings under section 
1053(b) of the Dodd-Frank Act, the hearing should commence later than 
60 days after service of the notice of charges. This provision is 
intended to account for the requirement in section 1053(b) of the Dodd-
Frank Act that the hearing be held no earlier than 30 days nor later 
than 60 days after the date of service of the notice of charges, unless 
an earlier or later date is set by the Bureau at the request of any 
party so served. It is expected that the parties will discuss a hearing 
date at the scheduling conference, and that this would afford 
respondents the opportunity to request a hearing date outside the 30-
to-60 day timeframe.
    It is also expected that at or before the scheduling conference, 
the parties will discuss any issues related to the production of 
documents pursuant to Sec.  1081.206, any anticipated motions for 
witness statements pursuant to Sec.  1081.207, whether either party 
intends to issue documentary subpoenas, and whether either party 
believes that depositions will be necessary to preserve the testimony 
of witnesses who will be unavailable for the hearing. The parties are 
also expected to discuss the need and a schedule for any expert 
discovery.
    Pursuant to paragraph (d) of Sec.  1081.203, the hearing officer is 
required to issue a scheduling order at or within five days of the 
conclusion of the scheduling hearing, setting forth the date and 
location of the hearing, as well as other procedural determinations 
made. It is expected that the hearing officer will establish any dates 
for expert discovery in the scheduling order, or else expressly find 
that such discovery is not necessary or reasonable in a particular 
case. This scheduling order will govern the course of the proceedings, 
unless later modified by the hearing officer.
    Provision for a prompt scheduling conference followed by prompt 
issuance of a scheduling order is necessary in order to allow for the 
orderly course of proceedings on the timeline set forth elsewhere in 
the Interim Final Rule. Particularly in cases brought pursuant to 
section 1053(b) of the Dodd-Frank Act in which the respondent does not 
request a hearing date outside the 30-to-60 day timeframe set forth in 
the statute, it is essential that the hearing officer and the parties 
have a clear understanding of the applicable schedule at the earliest 
possible date.
    As provided for in the SEC Rules, 17 CFR 201.221(f), paragraph (e) 
of this section provides that any person named as a respondent in a 
notice of charges who fails to appear at a scheduling conference may be 
deemed in default pursuant to Sec.  1081.201(d)(1). Finally, like the 
FTC Rules, 16 CFR 3.21(g), this section provides that scheduling 
conferences are presumptively public unless the hearing officer 
determines otherwise based on the standard set forth in Sec.  
1081.119(c).
    The Bureau received no comment on Sec.  1081.203 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it with the single clarification discussed above 
in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.204 Consolidation and Severance of Actions
    This section of the Interim Final Rule, modeled after the Uniform 
Rules, 12 CFR 19.22, allows the consolidation of actions if the 
proceedings arise out of the same transaction, occurrence, or series of 
transactions or occurrences or if the proceedings involve at least one 
common respondent or a material common question of law or fact. 
Proceedings are not to be consolidated if doing so would unreasonably 
delay the proceeding or cause injustice.
    Severance, on the other hand, may be granted by the hearing officer 
only if he or she determines that undue prejudice or injustice would 
result from a consolidated proceeding and if such prejudice or 
injustice would outweigh the interests of judicial economy and speed in 
the adjudication of actions. This is a higher standard than is required 
for the consolidation of actions.
    The Bureau received no comments on Sec.  1081.204 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.205 Non-Dispositive Motions
    This section of the Interim Final Rule governs all motions other 
than motions to dismiss or motions for summary disposition, which are 
governed by

[[Page 39070]]

Sec.  1081.212. The section generally sets forth the requirements for 
filing a non-dispositive motion, and requires that all such motions 
must be in writing, state with particularity the relief sought, and 
include a proposed order. This section also makes clear that motions 
filed pursuant to sections that impose different requirements should 
follow those requirements, and the requirements of Sec.  1081.205 to 
the extent they are not inconsistent. For example, Sec.  1081.208(g) of 
the Interim Final Rule (paragraph (h) of the Final Rule), which relates 
to motions to quash subpoenas, provides for a shorter time period for 
the filing of a responsive brief and prohibits the filing of a reply 
unless requested by the hearing officer. These conditions govern 
motions to quash, but such motions are still subject to other 
provisions of Sec.  1081.205, including, inter alia, the need to meet 
and confer, deadlines for the hearing officer's ruling, and length 
limitations of the briefs.
    Like the Uniform Rules and the FTC Rules, 12 CFR 19.23(d)(1); 16 
CFR 3.22(d), this section gives a party ten days after service of a 
non-dispositive motion to respond to such a motion in writing. It also 
provides for reply briefs, which must be filed within three days after 
service of the response. A party's failure to respond to a motion shall 
waive that party's right to oppose such motion and constitutes consent 
to the entry of an order substantially in the form of the order 
accompanying that motion. This section adopts the SEC's 15-page length 
limitation for non-dispositive motions and oppositions, 17 CFR 
201.154(c), and a six page length limitation for reply briefs. The 
Bureau has adopted these time and length limitations because they 
provide parties ample opportunity to express their views on matters 
that do not concern the ultimate disposition of the action.
    This section also requires parties to make a good faith effort to 
meet and confer prior to the filing of a non-dispositive motion in an 
effort to resolve the controversy by agreement. The Bureau has included 
the meet-and-confer requirement because it believes such conferences 
can help obviate the need for, or narrow the scope of, disputed 
motions, thus saving both the parties and the hearing officer time and 
resources.
    This section provides that the hearing officer shall rule on a non-
dispositive motion within 14 days after the expiration of the time for 
filing of all motions papers authorized by this section, and that the 
pendency of a motion shall not stay proceedings. This time limitation 
is based on the FTC Rules, 16 CFR 3.22(e), and is intended to ensure 
the timely resolution of disputes so that the proceeding as a whole can 
conclude in a fair and expeditious manner. As noted above, both the FTC 
and the SEC have revised their rules of practice to provide for the 
more expeditious resolution of administrative adjudications, and the 
incorporation of a time period in which the hearing officer must rule 
on a non-dispositive motion is, in the view of the Bureau, a critical 
part of that effort. See 73 FR 58832, 58836 (Oct. 7, 2008) (FTC expects 
that provision requiring ALJs to decide motions within 14 days will 
expedite cases).
    The Bureau received no comment on Sec.  1081.205 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.206 Availability of Documents for Inspection and Copying
    Modeled primarily after the SEC Rules, 17 CFR 201.230, this section 
of the Interim Final Rule adopts the SEC's affirmative disclosure 
approach to fact discovery in administrative adjudications. Generally, 
this section requires that the Office of Enforcement make available for 
inspection and copying certain categories of documents obtained by the 
Office of Enforcement prior to the institution of proceedings from 
persons not employed by the Bureau, in connection with the 
investigation leading to the institution of proceedings, and certain 
categories of documents produced by persons employed by the Bureau.
    The Bureau received several comments requesting amendment to this 
section. Before addressing each specific comment, the Bureau sets forth 
its understanding of this provision in order to provide guidance to 
both the public and future respondents regarding how it intends to 
comply with the affirmative disclosure obligations of Sec.  1081.206.
    As the Bureau stated when it issued the Interim Final Rule, this 
section is intended to promote the fair and efficient resolution of 
adjudicatory proceedings. A respondent has an automatic right to 
inspect and copy documents under this section at the outset of the 
proceeding. The respondent is not required to make a formal request or 
wait until after the scheduling conference to gain access to documents 
underlying the Bureau's decision to initiate proceedings. Instead, the 
Bureau will provide the respondent with access to, in effect, the 
documents they would likely seek and obtain in the course of a 
protracted discovery period soon after service of the notice of 
charges.
    This approach has several advantages. By automatically providing 
respondents with the factual information gathered by the Office of 
Enforcement in the course of the investigation leading to the 
institution of proceedings, this provision helps ensure that 
respondents have a complete understanding of the factual basis for the 
Bureau's action and can more accurately and efficiently determine the 
nature of their defenses or whether they wish to seek settlement. 
Because this approach renders traditional document discovery largely 
unnecessary, it will lead to a faster and more efficient resolution of 
Bureau administrative proceedings, saving both the Bureau and 
respondents the resources typically expended in the civil discovery 
process.
    Section 1081.206 adopts most of the procedures and conditions set 
forth in the SEC Rules, as discussed below.
    Pursuant to paragraph (a)(1), the Office of Enforcement's 
obligation under this section relates to documents obtained by the 
Office of Enforcement. Documents located only in the files of other 
divisions or offices of the Bureau are beyond the scope of paragraph 
(a). The term ``documents'' has been defined in the same manner as the 
term ``documentary material'' in section 1051(4) of the Dodd-Frank Act, 
12 U.S.C. 5561(4), and encompasses, among other things, electronic 
files or other data or data compilations stored in any medium.
    Paragraph (a)(1) also provides that the Office of Enforcement will 
make the documents available for inspection and copying. This provision 
is modeled after the SEC Rules and the Federal Rules of Civil 
Procedure. The Bureau anticipates that in most cases it will simply 
provide either paper or electronic copies of the material at issue to 
respondents, but has adopted the formulation in this section to 
preserve flexibility and the Office of Enforcement's right to require 
inspection and copying in appropriate cases.
    Paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (ii), and (iii) describe the types of 
documents that are subject to the disclosure requirement of paragraph 
(a)(1). The Bureau interprets its obligation under paragraph 
(a)(1)(iii) to include both records obtained by the Office of 
Enforcement directly from persons not employed by the Bureau, as well 
as documents obtained by the Office of Enforcement indirectly from 
persons not employed by the Bureau. For example, if the Office of 
Enforcement obtains information from the Bureau's supervisory staff in 
connection with an investigation that the supervisory staff obtained 
from persons not employed by the Bureau,

[[Page 39071]]

the Office of Enforcement will disclose such information, provided it 
is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure.
    Paragraph (a)(2) provides that the Office of Enforcement shall also 
make available each civil investigative demand or other written request 
to provide documents or to be interviewed issued by the Office of 
Enforcement in connection with the investigation leading to the 
institution of proceedings. The Office of Enforcement shall also make 
available any final examination or inspection reports prepared by any 
other office of the Bureau if the Office of Enforcement either intends 
to introduce any such report into evidence or to use any such report to 
refresh the recollection of, or impeach, any witness. The provisions of 
paragraph (a)(2) are included in the SEC Rules, but have been broken 
out into a separate paragraph of this section because they do not 
comprise documents that the Office of Enforcement obtained from persons 
not employed by the Bureau, and thus do not technically fall within the 
scope of paragraph (a)(1).
    Pursuant to Sec.  1081.208, a respondent may seek production of 
other documents pursuant to subpoena. Paragraph (a)(3) is intended to 
make clear that the affirmative disclosure obligation set forth in 
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) does not preclude the availability of 
subpoenas as separately provided by Sec.  1081.208.
    Paragraph (a)(4) provides that this section does not require the 
Office of Enforcement to produce a final examination or inspection 
report prepared by any other Office of the Bureau to a respondent who 
is not the subject of that report. The Bureau has included this 
provision, which does not appear in the SEC Rules, out of concern for 
the privileged and confidential nature of examination and inspection 
reports and to make clear that respondents cannot rely upon the 
Bureau's affirmative disclosure obligation to require the production of 
supervision or examination reports concerning other persons. Although 
the disclosure obligation as drafted would not require the production 
of such reports, the Bureau included this provision to remove any 
question regarding the issue.
    Paragraph (a)(4) of the Interim Final Rule did not explicitly apply 
to final inspection or examination reports obtained from other 
government agencies. The Final Rule has been amended to clarify that 
such reports, to which the confidentiality and privilege concerns 
discussed above apply equally, are also excluded from the Bureau's 
disclosure obligation.
    Paragraph (b)(1) of the Interim Final Rule permitted the Office of 
Enforcement to withhold documents that would otherwise be produced 
under paragraph (a) under five exceptions. The Final Rule retains these 
exceptions and adds an additional exception, paragraph (b)(1)(iii), as 
described below.
    The first exception, in paragraph (b)(1)(i) shields information 
subject to a claim of privilege. The second exception, in paragraph 
(b)(1)(ii), protects as work product internal documents prepared by 
persons employed by the Bureau, including consulting experts, which 
will not be offered in evidence. Work product includes any notes, 
working papers, memoranda or other similar materials, prepared by an 
attorney or under an attorney's direction in anticipation of 
litigation. See Hickman v. Taylor, 329 U.S. 495 (1947); see also Fed. 
R. Civ. P. 26(b)(3) and (b)(5). Accountants, paralegals, investigators, 
and consulting experts who work on an investigation do so at the 
direction of the Director, an associate director, or another 
supervisory attorney, and their work product is therefore not subject 
to the affirmative disclosure obligation. Although such material would 
not fall within the purview of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2), the Bureau 
has retained this provision of the SEC Rules to make clear that such 
work product is not subject to the affirmative disclosure obligation. 
An examination or inspection report prepared by one of the Bureau's 
supervision offices, which the Office of Enforcement intends to 
introduce into evidence or to use to refresh the recollection of, or 
impeach, a witness, is explicitly excluded from the materials that may 
be withheld pursuant to this exception.
    The third exception, contained in paragraph (b)(1)(iii), is added 
to the Final Rule. Modeled upon a similar provision in the Rules of 
Practice of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, 17 CFR 10.42, 
this paragraph protects documents obtained from other governmental 
entities that are either not relevant to the proceeding or were 
provided to the Bureau on the condition that the information not be 
disclosed. The Bureau has added this provision to accommodate any 
agreements limiting the disclosure of documents received from other 
governmental entities. To the extent the Bureau withholds documents 
pursuant to this exception, it will not rely upon those documents at 
the hearing.
    The fourth exception, contained in paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of the 
Final Rule, protects the identity of a confidential source. See 5 
U.S.C. 552(b)(7)(C) and (D). The fifth exception, contained in 
paragraph (b)(1)(v) of the Final Rule, provides that documents need not 
be produced where applicable law prohibits their production. The final 
exception protects any other document or category of documents that the 
hearing officer determines may be withheld as not relevant to the 
subject matter of the proceeding, or otherwise for good cause shown. 
This exception is intended to provide the hearing officer with the 
flexibility to adjust the Bureau's affirmative disclosure obligation to 
the particular contours of a proceeding. For example, this exception 
could be used in a situation where a single investigation involves 
other industry participants that are related only indirectly, or not at 
all, to the recommendations ultimately made to the Director with 
respect to the particular respondents in a specific proceeding. To 
require that documents not relevant to the proceeding be made 
available, simply because they were obtained as part of a broad 
investigation, burdens the respondent as well as the Office of 
Enforcement with unnecessary costs and delay.
    Paragraph (b)(2) of this section provides that paragraph (b) does 
not authorize the Office of Enforcement to withhold material 
exculpatory evidence in the possession of the Office of Enforcement 
that would otherwise be subject to disclosure pursuant to paragraph 
(a). Pursuant to this section, the Office of Enforcement will provide 
respondents with material exculpatory evidence it has obtained from 
persons not employed by the Bureau even if such evidence is contained 
in documents that the Office of Enforcement is otherwise permitted to 
withhold pursuant to paragraph (b)(1).
    The Bureau declines to adopt the SEC Rules' explicit reference to 
Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963) in this context. Proceedings 
under this part are civil in nature, not criminal, and the requirements 
of Brady are therefore inapplicable. The Office of Enforcement will 
turn over information from its investigatory file obtained from persons 
not employed by the Bureau as part of the investigation resulting in 
the Bureau's decision to institute proceedings, including any material 
exculpatory evidence so obtained. The Bureau understands this approach 
to be consistent with that provided for in the SEC Rules.
    The Bureau also adds the clause ``that would otherwise be required 
to be

[[Page 39072]]

produced pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section'' to paragraph (b) 
to make clear that the material exculpatory evidence provision works in 
concert with paragraph (a). Paragraph (b) does not impose a separate, 
free-standing obligation to disclose exculpatory evidence that is not 
otherwise within the scope of paragraph (a).
    Paragraph (c) provides that the hearing officer may require the 
Office of Enforcement to submit a withheld document list, and may order 
that a withheld document be made available for inspection and copying. 
Paragraph (c) has been amended to incorporate a provision from the 
Rules of Practice of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, 17 CFR 
10.42. This provision limits the disclosures that the Bureau will make 
with respect to documents withheld pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(iii). 
The Bureau will inform the other parties of the fact that such 
documents are being withheld, but will not make further disclosures 
regarding those documents. Like paragraph (b)(1)(iii), this provision 
was added to enable the Bureau to comply with agreements limiting the 
disclosure of documents received from other governmental entities.
    Pursuant to paragraph (d), the Office of Enforcement is required to 
make the material governed by this section available for inspection and 
copying no later than seven days after service of the notice of charges 
unless otherwise ordered by the hearing officer. The Bureau has 
considered requiring production of the covered material at the time the 
notice of charges is served, but has decided against such an approach. 
A provision for a delay of no more than seven days will allow parties 
to move for any appropriate protective orders and is consistent with 
the SEC's approach in this regard. See 17 CFR 201.230(d). The Bureau 
notes that, if seven days after the service of a notice of charges a 
motion for a protective order is pending but has not yet been ruled 
upon, production of the documents that are the subject of the motion 
could be delayed. The hearing officer could order temporary remedies 
where appropriate, such as the production of redacted copies pending a 
decision on the motion for a protective order. It is the Bureau's 
expectation that the Office of Enforcement will make the material 
available as soon as possible in every case.
    Paragraphs (e) and (f) set forth the procedure to obtain copies of 
documents and the costs of such copies. As noted above, the Bureau 
anticipates providing electronic copies of the documents to respondents 
in most cases, and paragraph (f) accounts for such a provision of 
electronic documents. In order to preserve the discretion of the Office 
of Enforcement, however, this paragraph includes provisions governing 
the inspection and copying of documents. In order to provide for the 
safekeeping of documents subject to inspection, and to control costs 
associated with the implementation of this section, paragraph (e) 
provides that documents shall be made available for inspection and 
copying at the Bureau office where they are ordinarily maintained, or 
at such other place as the parties may agree. In cases in which 
electronic production is unwarranted, this process appears more likely 
to result in prompt access to documents obtained by the Office of 
Enforcement that are the basis of the allegations contained in the 
notice of charges.
    Paragraph (g) of this section imposes upon the Office of 
Enforcement a duty to supplement its disclosures under paragraph (a)(1) 
of this section if it acquires information after making its disclosures 
that it intends to rely upon at a hearing. Although the SEC Rules do 
not include an analogous provision, the Bureau believes that imposing a 
duty to supplement will reduce the need for unnecessary discovery 
requests.
    Like the SEC Rules, 17 CFR 201.230(h), paragraph (h) provides for a 
``harmless error'' standard in the event the Office of Enforcement 
fails to make available to a respondent a document required to be made 
available by this section.
    Finally, paragraph (i) is modeled on the FTC Rules, 16 CFR 3.31(g), 
and provides a ``claw back'' mechanism whereby inadvertent disclosure 
of privileged or protected information or communications shall not 
constitute a waiver of the privilege or protection, provided that the 
party took reasonable steps to prevent disclosure and promptly took 
reasonable steps to rectify the error. Furthermore, paragraph (i) 
provides that disclosure of privileged or protected information or 
communications shall waive the privilege only if the waiver was 
intentional and that the scope of such waiver is limited to the 
undisclosed information or communications concerning the same subject 
matter, which in fairness ought to be considered together with the 
disclosed information or communications. Paragraph (i) expressly 
applies to disclosures made by any party during an adjudication 
proceeding.
    The Bureau received several comments to this section, and will 
address them in turn.
    Comment: One commenter asserted that the ``affirmative disclosure'' 
approach puts respondents at a significant disadvantage to the Bureau, 
because the Bureau, unlike the respondent, will have already gathered 
all of the information it needs to prepare for the hearing through 
examinations and investigation proceedings as well as through its 
ability to collect consumer complaints and collect information from 
covered persons.
    Response: While the Bureau will have already conducted an 
investigation prior to filing its notice of charges, the ``affirmative 
disclosure'' approach will give a respondent automatic access to the 
vast majority of the documents gathered as part of that investigation. 
Production to respondents will include any consumer complaints or 
documents from covered persons that enforcement counsel obtained in 
connection with the investigation, provided that production of those 
documents would not reveal the identity of a confidential source or 
otherwise fall within the scope of one of the relevant exceptions.
    This approach will provide respondents automatic access to the 
factual information gathered by the Office of Enforcement in the course 
of the investigation leading to the institution of proceedings. As a 
result, the process will help ensure that respondents have a complete 
understanding of the basis for the Bureau's action, and can assess 
their defenses accordingly. If necessary, respondents may seek to 
obtain additional information through subpoena.
    Furthermore, the exceptions to the Bureau's affirmative disclosure 
obligation do not disadvantage respondents as compared to traditional 
civil discovery because the exceptions protect documents that often 
would be protected in traditional civil discovery. When producing 
documents in traditional discovery, litigants routinely seek protection 
for documents that (i) are privileged; (ii) constitute work product; 
(iii) are irrelevant or required to be kept confidential; (iv) would 
reveal the identity of a confidential source; \3\ (v) are prohibited 
from production by applicable law; or (vi) are deemed by the hearing 
officer or judge to be not relevant to the subject matter or otherwise 
not subject to production for good cause shown.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ As discussed below, information provided by a confidential 
source, and in some cases even that source's identity, will be made 
available to the extent the Bureau plans to call that source as a 
witness, rely upon information he or she provided, or to the extent 
the information is exculpatory.

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[[Page 39073]]

    In short, the Bureau believes the affirmative disclosure process 
will promote a fair and efficient resolution of administrative 
proceedings without placing the respondent at an unfair disadvantage.
    Comment: Respondents should be permitted to (a) depose third 
parties who have direct knowledge of relevant matters; (b) issue and 
enforce subpoenas for documents and testimony, and (c) serve third 
parties with interrogatories.
    Response: The Bureau declines to make these changes. The Bureau 
considered allowing third-party depositions or interrogatories but 
declined to do so because the need for these third-party discovery 
tools will likely be met through the discovery mechanisms that are 
available under the Final Rule, and because of the potential for third-
party depositions and interrogatories to delay the proceedings.
    Even without third-party discovery depositions, respondents will be 
able to present testimony of third-parties with knowledge of relevant 
matters at the hearing to support their defense. Pursuant to Sec.  
1081.208, respondents may request the issuance of a subpoena for the 
attendance and testimony of a witness at the hearing. If a witness is 
unavailable for the hearing, a respondent may take that witness's 
deposition and introduce that testimony on the record at a hearing.
    The Bureau believes that the marginal benefit of permitting third-
party interrogatories is not justified in light of the likelihood that 
disputes over interrogatories may delay the proceedings. The Bureau 
notes that neither the SEC's Rules nor the Uniform Rules permit 
prehearing discovery depositions or interrogatories.
    As drafted, Sec.  1081.208 requires a party to request the issuance 
of a subpoena from the hearing officer, and generally requires the 
Bureau to seek judicial enforcement of subpoenas. The Bureau considered 
whether to permit parties to issue subpoenas. The Bureau declined to do 
so because a hearing officer can help ensure that subpoenas are not 
``unreasonable, oppressive, excessive in scope, or unduly burdensome.'' 
The commenter requested that respondents be permitted to enforce 
subpoenas, but the Dodd-Frank Act requires the Bureau to do so. 12 
U.S.C. 5562(b)(2). The Bureau's General Counsel will enforce subpoenas 
on relation of a respondent, provided such enforcement is consistent 
with the law and the policies of the Dodd-Frank Act.
    The third-party discovery permitted by the Interim Final Rule is 
consistent with the practice of the SEC, which shares a common approach 
to discovery with the Bureau. See 17 CFR 201.230-234. It is also 
consistent with the Uniform Rules, which, like the Interim Final Rule, 
allow third-party depositions only when a witness is unavailable for 
hearing, see 12 CFR 19.27, and require parties to apply to the 
administrative law judge for a third-party document subpoena, which may 
be granted only if the administrative law judge determines the subpoena 
is not ``unreasonable, oppressive, excessive in scope, or unduly 
burdensome.'' See 12 CFR 19.26. Like the SEC, the Bureau will make 
documents available to respondents through the affirmative disclosure 
process. As a result, traditional discovery is limited, and it is 
appropriate to require parties to request issuance of a subpoena in 
order to ensure that the Bureau's subpoena power is exercised 
appropriately and not for purposes of delay or obstruction.
    This practice is also appropriate considering that respondents must 
demonstrate that a witness is unavailable for the hearing in order to 
obtain a deposition subpoena. This standard is more easily enforced if 
a party has to request, and a hearing officer has to issue, those 
subpoenas. The SEC and the Uniform Rules both restrict depositions to 
circumstances when a witness will not be available for the hearing, and 
both require parties to request or apply for a deposition subpoena.
    Comment: It is unclear whether the affirmative disclosure process 
limits the right of respondents to seek other documents from the Bureau 
through subpoena. Respondents may be prevented from seeking certain 
documents through subpoena on the grounds that it could physically 
inspect and copy those same documents through the affirmative 
disclosure process.
    Response: Section 1081.208 permits a respondent to seek other 
documents from the Bureau through subpoena. Such a subpoena would 
presumably not be necessary if the documents sought by the respondent 
were included in the affirmative disclosure production, but the 
existence of that process does not negate a respondent's right to 
request a subpoena for other relevant documents in the possession of 
the Bureau, as the Interim Final Rule makes clear in paragraph (a)(3) 
of Sec.  1081.206.
    Comment: The affirmative disclosure process covers documents that 
are ``obtained by the Office of Enforcement.'' Whether documents are 
relevant and should be discoverable is unrelated to who at the Bureau 
``obtained'' the documents. This could lead to protracted litigation 
over who ``obtained'' a document that a Bureau employee sees and reads 
but does not touch.
    Response: The affirmative disclosure process outlined in Sec.  
1081.206 is based upon the SEC's affirmative disclosure approach to 
fact discovery in administrative adjudications. The ``obtained by'' the 
Office of Enforcement language is taken directly from the SEC Rules. 
Section 1081.206 is intended to give respondents access to the material 
facts underlying enforcement counsel's decision to recommend the 
commencement of enforcement proceedings. It is not intended to create 
an obligation for enforcement counsel to search the files of other 
divisions or offices in the Bureau. As explained above, the Bureau will 
include in its affirmative disclosure documents obtained by other 
elements of the Bureau from persons not employed by the Bureau and 
later provided to the Office of Enforcement for its use ``in connection 
with the investigation leading to the institution of proceedings.'' 
Sec.  1081.206(a)(1).
    Comment: Disclosure should not be limited to documents obtained 
``in connection with the investigation.'' The Bureau might have come 
across relevant, discoverable information without an investigation. For 
example, a State may conduct an investigation and turn its findings 
over to the Bureau and the Bureau could bring charges based on the 
State's findings. Or the Bureau may issue a notice of charges based 
upon examination findings without an investigation.
    Response: The Office of Enforcement will not interpret the phrase 
``in connection with the investigation'' in the manner contemplated by 
this commenter. Through the affirmative disclosure process, the Office 
of Enforcement will turn over the documents that informed its decision 
to recommend the institution of proceedings, except to the extent those 
documents meet an exception outlined in Sec.  1081.206. In the first 
example offered by this commenter, the Office of Enforcement would 
consider documents turned over by a State that formed the basis for the 
Office's recommendation to bring charges against a respondent to have 
been obtained ``in connection with the investigation.'' The Bureau 
would disclose those documents to the respondent unless they were 
provided to the Bureau on the condition that they not be disclosed, see 
Sec.  1081.206(b)(1)(iii), or unless the State obtained a protective 
order to prevent their disclosure, see Sec.  1081.119(a). If documents 
were withheld from the respondent for either of these reasons,

[[Page 39074]]

the Bureau would not rely upon those documents in the proceeding.
    Likewise, the Bureau would consider information obtained by the 
Office of Enforcement through the Bureau's supervisory channels to be 
obtained ``in connection with the investigation'' if such information 
formed the factual basis of an enforcement action.
    Comment: The section excludes from discovery, in all cases, final 
examination ``or inspection'' reports to respondents who are not the 
subject of the report. Such an absolute limit on discovery, regardless 
of the significance of the information, is not appropriate. Further, 
the term ``inspection'' could mean almost anything, such as notes a 
Bureau employee takes when asking anyone a question about a covered 
person.
    Response: Paragraph (a)(4) is intended to make clear that 
respondents have no automatic right to examination or inspection 
reports related to other entities. Nothing in the Interim Final Rule 
prevents a respondent from seeking a final examination or inspection 
report regarding another entity through subpoena, although given the 
confidential nature of such reports the Bureau would anticipate that 
such subpoena requests would generally be denied. Finally, the Bureau 
does not intend for the term ``inspection report'' to cover interview 
notes, for purposes of this section.
    Comment: The Interim Final Rule requires the Bureau to turn over 
documents ``obtained'' by the Bureau's Office of Enforcement before the 
notice of charges issued. When the Bureau obtained documents is not 
relevant to whether they should be discoverable.
    Response: The Bureau agrees that relevant documents upon which the 
Bureau intends to rely should be made available to the respondent even 
if they are obtained after the issuance of a notice of charges. 
Paragraph (g) obligates the Bureau to supplement its disclosures with 
any additional information that it intends to rely upon at the hearing.
    Comment: The Interim Final Rule creates an incentive for Bureau 
employees to withhold material exculpatory evidence from the Office of 
Enforcement because delivering it could make it discoverable.
    Response: The Bureau has no independent legal obligation to produce 
material exculpatory evidence sua sponte. Section 1081.206 of the 
Interim Final Rule provides for such production, but does so in a 
manner that is workable and practical. It is intended to ensure that 
respondents are in possession of material exculpatory information 
obtained from persons not employed by the Bureau that enforcement 
counsel has considered in its determination to recommend enforcement 
action. Extending the scope of the Interim Final Rule to cover 
exculpatory evidence that is not in the Office of Enforcement's 
possession would impose an unworkable and legally unfounded obligation 
on enforcement counsel and the rest of the Bureau. Furthermore, Sec.  
1081.208 enables respondents to subpoena additional documents that they 
believe are relevant to their defense.
    Comment: This section is based upon the SEC Rules, but the SEC does 
not examine all of the institutions it regulates so does not 
necessarily have relevant, nonpublic materials outside of the Office of 
Enforcement. The Bureau should not be able to declare all of these 
materials to be per se beyond the scope of discovery without allowing 
respondent to seek a determination as to whether any of the materials 
are relevant.
    Response: The Bureau does not believe that its supervisory powers 
require further amendment of this section. Aside from privileged 
internal notes and working papers generated by Bureau employees, the 
documents obtained by the Bureau through the exercise of its 
supervisory authority will come almost exclusively from the institution 
itself. The institution will have provided the documents to the Bureau, 
and cannot claim to be deprived of access to such documents in 
discovery. The purpose of affirmative disclosure is to give the 
respondent access to all of the material evidence underlying 
enforcement counsel's decision to commence enforcement proceedings. 
Rather than provide the respondent with access to all of the documents 
that in any way relate to it or its business--including many completely 
unrelated to the proceeding--enforcement counsel will turn over those 
documents that enforcement counsel obtained or considered in its 
decision to proceed in the particular action.
    In addition, respondents will have the ability to conduct some 
limited discovery, including document subpoenas, depositions of third-
parties who are unavailable for the hearing, and, in some 
circumstances, limited expert discovery.
    Comment: This section permits the Bureau to withhold documents that 
``would disclose the identity of a confidential source,'' which is 
inappropriate and not based upon the Uniform Rules or the SEC Rules. 
The respondent should be permitted to impeach the credibility of all 
witnesses. This section should be deleted, and in its place the Bureau 
should be required to produce ``a list identifying all persons or 
entities that have made allegations or accusations relevant to any 
matters being heard.'' If the person or entity is not sufficiently 
identified to be called as a witness, all evidence relating to or 
derived from the allegations or accusations is inadmissible.
    Response: The commenter is incorrect in asserting that this 
exception to the affirmative disclosure obligation is not based upon 
the SEC Rules--the language is identical to the SEC Rules. See 17 CFR 
201.230(b)(1)(iii). A respondent's ability to impeach the credibility 
of a witness will not be impacted by this exception to the affirmative 
disclosure obligation. The Bureau will identify any individual on whose 
testimony the Bureau intends to rely at the hearing, whether or not 
that individual came to the Bureau as a confidential source. The Bureau 
must prove all of its assertions at the hearing, and the respondent 
will have the ability to challenge all evidence offered.
    Comment: The Office of Enforcement should be required to produce 
relevant materials without the hearing officer ordering production, and 
the Interim Final Rule should be revised to require the Office of 
Enforcement to produce a detailed log of the bases for withholding any 
privileged materials.
    Response: The Office of Enforcement is required by Sec.  1081.206 
to disclose the documents described in the section without a separate 
order from the hearing officer. The Bureau does not believe that the 
affirmative disclosure obligation, which is based upon and 
substantively the same as that found in the SEC Rules, should be 
broadened further. The material subject to affirmative disclosure will 
provide respondents with access to all, or nearly all, of the 
information obtained by enforcement counsel in the investigation 
leading to the institution of proceedings. With respect to privilege 
logs, the Bureau adopts language from the SEC Rules, 17 CFR 201. 
230(c). The hearing officer may require that the Office of Enforcement 
submit a list of documents or categories of documents withheld pursuant 
to paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (ii) and (iv) through (vi), and the hearing 
officer may so order when appropriate. (As discussed above, with 
respect to documents withheld pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(iii), the 
Bureau must inform respondent that such documents are being withheld, 
but no further disclosure is required.) To require the Bureau to 
produce a withheld document list in all cases,

[[Page 39075]]

even when not deemed appropriate by the hearing officer, would be 
unnecessary and unduly burdensome.
    Comment: The Bureau should complete, rather than commence, 
production of the affirmative disclosure documents within seven days.
    Response: The Bureau fully intends to supply all affirmative 
disclosure documents to respondents within seven days except in 
extraordinary circumstances (such as when a motion for protective order 
is pending on the seventh day). The Bureau adopted the language of this 
section from the SEC Rules, and has decided to retain the language in 
order to allow flexibility in those rare circumstances where a full 
production within seven days is not feasible, such as when a motion for 
a protective order is pending with respect to some of the documents. 
The Bureau expects these situations to arise very infrequently if at 
all, and expects to complete production within seven days in most 
cases.
    Comment: The Bureau should be required to produce all documents 
electronically. Photocopying should not be required.
    Response: The Bureau adopted the language regarding photocopying 
from the SEC Rules, but as indicated in the preamble to Sec.  1081.206, 
the Bureau anticipates providing electronic copies of documents to 
respondents in most cases. The Bureau is retaining the language 
regarding photocopying in order to retain its discretion, particularly 
in cases where the safekeeping of documents subject to inspection and 
the cost of production may be of particular concern. The Bureau expects 
these cases to be rare.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.206 of the Interim Final Rule with the 
changes discussed above.
Section 1081.207 Production of Witness Statements
    Modeled after the SEC Rules, 17 CFR 201.231, this section of the 
Interim Final Rule provides that a respondent may request for 
inspection and copying any statement of a witness to be called by the 
Office of Enforcement that (1) pertains to or is expected to pertain to 
his or her direct testimony; and (2) would be required to be produced 
pursuant to the Jencks Act, 18 U.S.C. 3500, if the adjudication 
proceeding were a criminal proceeding. This section is intended to 
promote the principles of transparency and efficiency discussed with 
respect to Sec.  1081.206. Note, however, that the respondent is 
required to move for the production of these statements. The Bureau 
notes that the requirements set forth in paragraph (a) of this section 
do not overcome the limitations on discovery related to expert 
communications set forth in Sec.  1081.210(e).
    The Jencks Act does not require production of a witness's prior 
statement until the witness takes the stand. The Bureau expects that in 
most cases, the Office of Enforcement will provide prehearing 
production voluntarily. Submission of a witness's prior statement, 
however, may provide a motive for intimidation of that witness or 
improper contact by a respondent with the witness. This section 
provides, therefore, that the time for delivery of witness statements 
is to be determined by the hearing officer, so that a case-specific 
determination of such risks can be made if necessary. Upon a showing 
that there is substantial risk of improper use of a witness's prior 
statement, the hearing officer may take appropriate steps. For example, 
a hearing officer may delay production of a prior statement, or 
prohibit parties from communicating with particular witnesses.
    Like Sec.  1081.206 and the SEC Rules, this section provides for a 
``harmless error'' standard in the event the Office of Enforcement 
fails to make available a statement required to be made available by 
this section.
    The Bureau received no comment on Sec.  1081.207 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.208 Subpoenas
    This section of the Interim Final Rule is modeled after the SEC 
Rules, 17 CFR 201.232, and provides that, in connection with a hearing, 
a party may request the issuance of a subpoena for the attendance and 
testimony of a witness or the production of documents. The availability 
of subpoenas for witnesses and documents ensures that respondents have 
available to them the necessary tools to adduce evidence in support of 
their defenses. A subpoena may only be issued by the hearing officer 
(as opposed to counsel) and the section sets forth procedures to 
prevent the issuance of subpoenas that may be unreasonable, oppressive, 
excessive in scope, or unduly burdensome. The section also sets forth 
procedures and standards applicable to a motion to quash or modify a 
subpoena.
    Paragraph (i) (which was paragraph (h) in the Interim Final Rule) 
of this section also provides that, if a subpoenaed person fails to 
comply, the Bureau, on its own motion or on the motion of the party at 
whose request the subpoena was issued, may seek a judicial order 
requiring compliance. In accordance with section 1052(b)(2) of the 
Dodd-Frank Act, which authorizes the Bureau or a Bureau investigator to 
seek enforcement of a subpoena, paragraph (i) only authorizes the 
Bureau--and not the party at whose request the subpoena was issued--to 
seek judicial enforcement of the subpoena. Compare 12 U.S.C. 1818(n) 
(authorizing any party to proceedings brought pursuant to 1818 to bring 
an action to enforce a subpoena issued in connection with the 
proceeding); 12 CFR 19.26(c) (authorizing the ``subpoenaing party or 
any other aggrieved party'' to seek judicial enforcement). In a 
provision added by the Bureau, this section also sets forth that 
failure to request that the Bureau seek enforcement of a subpoena 
constitutes waiver of any claim of prejudice predicated upon the 
unavailability of the testimony or evidence sought. This provision was 
added to prevent a respondent from declining to request that the Bureau 
seek to enforce the subpoena of a witness who fails to comply, and 
later claiming that his or her defense was prejudiced based upon the 
unavailability of that witness. The Bureau amended Sec.  1081.208(h) of 
the Interim Final Rule (which is paragraph (i) in the Final Rule) to 
clarify that the General Counsel will initiate actions to enforce 
subpoenas on behalf of respondents, with the expectation that 
respondents will intervene to litigate on their own behalf. This will 
prevent conflicts that could arise were enforcement counsel required to 
enforce a subpoena sought by respondents in a proceeding.
    One commenter asserted that respondents should be permitted to 
issue and enforce subpoenas. The Bureau's substantive response to this 
comment is discussed above in the context of a similar comment 
addressing Sec.  1081.206.
    Another commenter stated that the hearing officer should not be 
permitted to delegate the manual signing of deposition subpoenas, as 
there needs to be a basic check on the issuance of subpoenas, such as 
review by the hearing officer. This section provides that a hearing 
officer must issue a subpoena only upon the request of a party, which 
includes either respondents or the Bureau, and only if the hearing 
officer determines that the subpoena is not ``unreasonable, oppressive, 
excessive in scope, or unduly burdensome.''
    Paragraph (c) of the Interim Final Rule permitted the hearing 
officer to delegate the manual signing of the subpoena to

[[Page 39076]]

``any other person authorized to issue subpoenas,'' which includes 
enforcement counsel. The Bureau has revised paragraph (c) to provide 
that the hearing officer may delegate the manual signing of the 
subpoena ``to any other person.'' This will give the hearing officer, 
in the interests of efficiency, the option of allowing counsel for 
either party to manually sign subpoenas after they have been issued by 
the hearing officer. But this delegation, should it occur, does not 
permit the issuance of subpoenas without the hearing officer's 
independent review and consent.
    The Bureau on its own initiative added new paragraph (g) to Sec.  
1081.208. This paragraph requires a person responding to a subpoena for 
documentary material to file a sworn certificate of compliance with the 
subpoena response. This is intended to confirm that all of the 
documentary material required by the subpoena and in the possession, 
custody, or control of the person to whom the subpoena is directed has 
been produced and made available to the custodian.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.208 of the Interim Final Rule with the 
changes discussed above.
Section 1081.209 Deposition of Witness Unavailable for Hearing
    This section of the Interim Final Rule, generally modeled after the 
Uniform Rules, 12 CFR 19.27, and the SEC Rules, 17 CFR 201.233, 
provides that parties may seek to depose material witnesses unavailable 
for the hearing upon application to the hearing officer for a 
deposition subpoena. The application must state that the witness is 
expected to be unavailable due to age, illness, infirmity or other 
reason and that the petitioning party was not the cause of the 
witness's unavailability. The Bureau has adopted the Uniform Rules' 
formulation of this standard, which provides for such depositions when 
the witness is ``otherwise unavailable,'' to account for the possible 
unavailability of witnesses for reasons other than those specified in 
the SEC Rules.
    Paragraph (a)(2) requires a party seeking to record a deposition by 
audio-visual means to so note in the request for a deposition subpoena. 
This provision is modeled on Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 30(b)(3). 
Paragraph (a)(4) also provides that a deposition cannot be taken on 
less than 14 days' notice to the witness and all parties, absent an 
order to the contrary from the hearing officer.
    Paragraph (g) incorporates several provisions from the SEC Rules. 
It provides that the witness being deposed may have an attorney present 
during the deposition; that objections to questions of evidence shall 
be noted by the deposition officer, but that only the hearing officer 
shall have the power to decide on the competency, materiality, or 
relevance of evidence; and that transcripts shall be available to the 
deponent and each party for purchase. Paragraph (g) of the Final Rule 
was amended slightly to provide that the deposition shall be filed with 
the Office of Administrative Adjudication (as opposed to the Executive 
Secretary as set forth in the Interim Final Rule).
    Paragraph (h) of this section also incorporates certain procedures 
from Sec.  1081.208 of the Interim Final Rule pertaining to subpoenas. 
Those procedures are intended to protect against deposition requests 
that may be unreasonable, oppressive, excessive in scope, or unduly 
burdensome, and to provide a mechanism for signing and service of a 
deposition subpoena, the filing of a motion to quash, and for enforcing 
subpoenas. This paragraph was amended slightly to conform to the 
amendments to Sec.  1081.208.
    One commenter suggested that respondents should be permitted to 
conduct pre-hearing depositions of third parties with relevant 
information, even if such witnesses will be available for the hearing. 
In promulgating the Interim Final Rule, the Bureau considered whether 
respondents should be allowed to issue subpoenas for the purpose of 
compelling prehearing discovery depositions as is allowed in actions 
under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The Bureau believes 
expanding the scope of prehearing discovery to permit discovery 
depositions is not warranted for several reasons.
    First, the Bureau believes that even if limitations were placed on 
the availability of discovery depositions, there remains a significant 
potential for extensive collateral litigation over their use. Second, 
use of discovery depositions is in tension with the statutory timetable 
for hearings in cease-and-desist proceedings under section 1053(b) of 
the Dodd-Frank Act. Indeed, in part for these reasons, the Final Rule, 
like the Interim Final Rule, allows the hearing officer to decide 
whether and to what extent to permit expert discovery in adjudication 
proceedings. Allowing prehearing depositions would present extreme 
scheduling difficulties in those cases in which respondents did not 
request hearing dates outside the 30-to-60 day timeframe set forth in 
the Dodd-Frank Act.
    Finally, the Final Rule includes three provisions that address in 
significant part a respondent's interest in obtaining discovery prior 
to the start of the hearing. Section 1081.206 mandates that the Office 
of Enforcement generally make available not only transcripts of 
testimony, but documents obtained from persons not employed by the 
Bureau during the investigation leading to the initiation of the 
proceeding, as well as certain documents of the Bureau. Section 
1081.208 authorizes the issuance of subpoenas duces tecum for the 
production of documents returnable at any designated time or place. In 
addition, Sec.  1081.210 provides for expert discovery in appropriate 
cases. Given these discovery mechanisms, the ability to subpoena 
witnesses to testify at the hearing, the ability to take the deposition 
of material witnesses unavailable for hearing, and the ability of 
respondents to conduct informal discovery, the Bureau continues to 
believe that the marginal benefits of prehearing depositions are not 
justified by their likely cost in time, expense, collateral disputes 
and scheduling complexities.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.209 of the Interim Final Rule with the 
changes discussed above.
Section 1081.210 Expert Discovery
    This section of the Interim Final Rule is modeled after the FTC 
Rules, 16 CFR 3.31A. Neither the Uniform Rules nor the SEC Rules 
provide for expert discovery. The Bureau has provided for expert 
discovery in appropriate cases so that the parties may fully understand 
the other side's position prior to the hearing, which will enable a 
clearer and more efficient airing of the issues at the hearing, and 
which may also clarify the issues for a possible prehearing settlement. 
It will also enable the parties to identify rebuttal expert witnesses, 
if needed, prior to the hearing.
    Paragraph (a) provides that the hearing officer shall establish a 
date for the exchange of expert reports in the scheduling order. This 
provision is intended to allow flexibility in scheduling expert 
discovery depending on the complexity of the case and the date of the 
hearing.
    Like the FTC Rules, 16 CFR 3.31A, paragraph (b) limits parties to 
five expert witnesses, including any rebuttal or surrebuttal experts, 
except in extraordinary circumstances. The Bureau believes this 
limitation will provide the parties with a sufficient opportunity to 
present expert testimony without unduly delaying the proceedings. 
Paragraph (b) also provides that no party may call an expert witness 
unless that witness has been identified and has provided a report in 
accordance with this section, unless the hearing

[[Page 39077]]

officer provides otherwise at a scheduling conference. The last clause 
is intended to reflect a hearing officer's discretion, at a scheduling 
conference, to dispense with or otherwise limit expert discovery in a 
particular case (as expressly provided for in paragraph (e) of this 
section).
    Paragraph (c) sets forth the required contents of an expert report. 
This section is based upon the corresponding provisions of the FTC 
Rules.
    Paragraph (d) provides for expert depositions, which are not to 
exceed eight hours absent agreement of the parties or an order by the 
hearing officer. These limitations are intended to provide adequate 
time to prepare for expert testimony without unduly delaying the 
proceedings. Paragraph (d) also provides that expert depositions shall 
be conducted pursuant to the procedures set forth in Sec.  1081.209. 
Finally, paragraph (d) provides that an expert's deposition shall be 
conducted after submission of the expert's report but no later than 
seven days prior to the deadline for submission of rebuttal expert 
reports. This provision is intended to allow parties to rely upon the 
deposition of an opposing party's expert in the preparation of a 
rebuttal expert report. Because, pursuant to paragraph (a), rebuttal 
reports are due 28 days after the exchange of expert reports, expert 
depositions will need to take place within that 28-day period.
    Finally, paragraph (e) (paragraph (f) of the Final Rule) authorizes 
the hearing officer to dispense with expert discovery in appropriate 
cases. For example, the Bureau envisions hearing officers relying on 
this provision in cease-and-desist proceedings brought pursuant to 
section 1053(b) of the Dodd-Frank Act, where the respondent has not 
requested a hearing date outside the statutory 30-to-60 day timeframe. 
In such cases, it may be appropriate to dispense with expert discovery 
for timing reasons, while allowing the parties to call expert 
witnesses.
    After the Bureau promulgated the Interim Final Rule, the FTC 
amended its rule governing expert discovery. See 76 FR 52249 (Aug. 22, 
2011). The FTC added a new paragraph to its expert discovery rule 
regarding materials that the parties cannot discover, including 
language nearly identical to language recently added to Federal Rule of 
Civil Procedure 26(b)(4)(B) and (C). The Bureau has similarly revised 
Sec.  1081.210 to adopt these recent enhancements to the FTC Rules and 
the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The Bureau is therefore adding a 
new paragraph (e) to Sec.  1081.210 and renumbering former paragraph 
(e) as paragraph (f). Under new paragraph (e), parties may not discover 
drafts of any report required by this section, regardless of the form 
in which the draft is recorded. In addition, the new language prohibits 
parties from discovering any communications, regardless of form, 
between another party's attorney and any of its expert witnesses, 
unless the communication: (1) Relates to the testifying expert's 
compensation for the study or testimony; (2) identifies facts or data 
provided by the party's attorney and considered by the testifying 
expert in forming the opinions to be expressed; or (3) identifies 
assumptions provided by the party's attorney and relied on by the 
testifying expert in forming the opinions to be expressed. The Bureau 
has also adopted the portion of the FTC Rules providing that a party 
may not discover facts known or opinions held by an expert who has been 
retained or specifically employed by another party in anticipation of 
litigation or preparation for the hearing and who is not listed as a 
witness for the hearing. The Bureau believes this section, which is 
consistent with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(b)(4)(D), 
appropriately limits the ability of parties to discover opinions held 
by experts who will not offer opinions at the hearing.
    The Bureau did not receive comments on Sec.  1081.210 of the 
Interim Final Rule, and with exception to the changes discussed above, 
adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.211 Interlocutory Review
    This section of the Interim Final Rule sets forth the procedure and 
standards applicable to interlocutory review by the Director of a 
ruling or order of the hearing officer.
    Paragraph (a) of this section provides that the Director may take 
up a matter on his or her own motion at any time, even if a hearing 
officer does not certify it for interlocutory review, and that this 
section is the exclusive means for reviewing a hearing officer's ruling 
prior to the issuance of a recommended decision by the hearing officer.
    Paragraph (b) provides that any party may file a motion for 
certification of a ruling or order for interlocutory review within five 
days of service of the order or ruling. Responses to such motions are 
due within three days, and the hearing officer is required to rule upon 
such a motion within five days thereafter.
    Paragraph (c) sets forth the permissible bases for certifying a 
ruling or order. Certification is appropriate if the hearing officer's 
ruling would compel testimony or production of documents from Bureau 
officers or employees, or officers or employees from another 
governmental agency. This is consistent with the SEC Rules, 17 CFR 
201.400. Like the FTC Rules, 16 CFR 3.23(a)(1), however, this provision 
includes officers and employees from other governmental agencies, and 
not just the Bureau, in order to afford the same treatment to other 
government agencies. Paragraph (c) also provides for certification of 
rulings or orders where there is a substantial ground for difference of 
opinion and an immediate review may materially advance the completion 
of the proceeding or subsequent review will be an inadequate remedy. 
The hearing officer may also certify a ruling or order where the ruling 
or order involves a motion for disqualification of the hearing officer 
or the suspension of an individual from appearing before the Bureau.
    Paragraph (d) provides that a party whose motion for certification 
is denied by the hearing officer may petition the Director directly for 
interlocutory review. This provision is intended to guard against a 
hearing officer's unwillingness to certify a ruling that appears to 
meet the standards set forth in the section. The Bureau expects such 
direct petitions to the Director to be used sparingly.
    Paragraph (e) governs the Director's review of matters certified 
pursuant to paragraph (c) or for which review is sought pursuant to 
paragraph (d). It sets forth the policy of the Bureau that 
interlocutory review is disfavored and provides that the Director will 
grant such review only in extraordinary circumstances.
    Paragraph (f) provides that proceedings will not be stayed by the 
filing of a motion for certification for interlocutory review or a 
grant of such review unless the hearing officer or the Director shall 
so order. This is intended to promote the expeditious resolution of 
proceedings and to deter frivolous motions for certification or review.
    The Bureau did not receive comment on Sec.  1081.211 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.212 Dispositive Motions
    This section of the Interim Final Rule establishes the procedures 
and standards for motions to dismiss and motions for summary 
disposition. Section 1081.212 expressly provides for the filing of 
motions to dismiss, but makes clear that filing such a motion does not 
affect a party's obligation to file an answer or take any other action. 
This is intended to ensure that motions to dismiss do not delay the 
proceedings unnecessarily. The timelines for decisions on dispositive 
motions,

[[Page 39078]]

discussed below, should help ensure that a party ultimately determined 
to be entitled to dismissal is not required to engage in the 
adjudicative process for a lengthy period of time.
    Paragraph (b) provides that a respondent may file a motion to 
dismiss asserting that, even assuming the truth of the facts alleged in 
the notice of charges, it is entitled to dismissal as a matter of law. 
Neither the SEC Rules, the FTC Rules, nor the Uniform Rules 
specifically set forth procedures or a standard applicable to motions 
to dismiss, although the FTC Rules and Uniform Rules appear to 
contemplate such motions. See 16 CFR 3.22(a) (referencing motions to 
dismiss); 12 CFR 19.5(b)(7) (same). The Bureau has determined that such 
motions are appropriate and should be provided for in the Rules, but 
should not serve to delay the proceedings.
    Paragraphs (c) and (d) govern the filing of motions for summary 
disposition. They adopt standards similar to those set forth in the 
Uniform Rules, the SEC Rules, and the FTC Rules for such motions. Any 
party to a proceeding may file a motion for summary disposition of a 
proceeding or for partial summary disposition of a proceeding if: (1) 
There is no genuine issue as to any material fact; and (2) the moving 
party is entitled to a favorable decision as a matter of law. The 
motion, which may be filed after a respondent's answer has been filed 
and documents have been made available for inspection and copying 
pursuant to Sec.  1081.206, must be accompanied by a statement of the 
uncontested material facts, a brief, and any documentary evidence in 
support of the motion.
    Any party opposing such a motion must file a statement setting 
forth those material facts as to which he or she contends a genuine 
dispute exists, supported by the same type of evidence permitted with a 
motion for summary disposition, and a brief in support of the 
contention that summary disposition would be inappropriate. These 
paragraphs are modeled after the Uniform Rules, 12 CFR 19.29.
    Pursuant to paragraphs (e), (f), and (g), motions to dismiss and 
for summary disposition are subject to a 35-page limit (modeled on the 
SEC Rules, 17 CFR 201.250(c)), responses to such motions are due within 
20 days and are subject to a 35-page limit (modeled on the Uniform 
Rules, 12 CFR 19.29(b)(1)), and reply briefs are due within five days 
of the response and shall not exceed ten pages. Oral argument is 
permitted at the request of any party or by motion of the hearing 
officer.
    Paragraph (h) provides that the hearing officer must decide a 
dispositive motion within 30 days of the expiration of the time for 
filing all oppositions and replies. The Uniform Rules do not set a 
deadline for a decision on dispositive motions. The FTC Rules provide 
for the Commission to decide substantive motions within 45 days, 16 CFR 
3.22(a), and the SEC Rules state that motions for summary disposition 
are to be decided ``promptly'' by the hearing officer, 17 CFR 
201.250(b). The Bureau has adopted the 30-day timeframe for decisions 
on dispositive motions in keeping with its emphasis on expeditious 
decision-making in administrative proceedings. The Bureau believes that 
30 days affords sufficient time for the hearing officer to properly 
assess the merits of the motion and draft either a ruling denying the 
motion or a recommended decision granting it.
    If the hearing officer finds that a party is not entitled to 
dismissal or summary disposition, he or she shall make a ruling denying 
that motion. This ruling would not be subject to interlocutory appeal 
unless such an appeal was granted pursuant to the procedures and 
standards set forth in Sec.  1081.211. If the hearing officer 
determines that dismissal or summary adjudication is appropriate, he or 
she will issue a recommended decision to that effect. If a party, for 
good cause shown, cannot yet present facts essential to justify 
opposition to the motion, the hearing officer is to deny or defer the 
motion.
    The Bureau received no comments on Sec.  1081.212 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.213 Partial Summary Disposition
    Section 1081.213 is modeled on the FTC Rules, 16 CFR 3.24(a)(5). It 
permits a hearing officer who denies summary adjudication of the whole 
case nevertheless to issue an order specifying the facts that appear 
without substantial controversy. Those facts will be deemed established 
in the proceeding. This section enables the hearing officer to narrow 
the dispute between the parties so that the hearing can proceed as 
efficiently as possible.
    The Bureau received no comment on Sec.  1081.213 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.214 Prehearing Conferences
    This section of the Interim Final Rule sets forth the procedures 
for a prehearing conference, which the hearing officer may convene on 
his own motion or at the request of a party. It sets forth matters that 
may be discussed at a prehearing conference. As with a scheduling 
conference pursuant to Sec.  1081.203, the conference is presumptively 
public unless the hearing officer determines otherwise under the 
standard set forth in Sec.  1081.119.
    The Bureau received no comment on Sec.  1081.214 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.215 Prehearing Submissions
    This section of the Interim Final Rule was modeled primarily after 
the Uniform Rules, 12 CFR 19.32, which provide for mandatory prehearing 
submissions by the parties. Section 1081.215 requires that the 
following documents be served upon the other parties no later than ten 
days prior to the start of the hearing: a prehearing statement; a final 
list of witnesses to be called to testify that includes a description 
of the expected testimony of each witness; any prior sworn statements 
that a party intends to admit into evidence pursuant to Sec.  1081.303; 
a list of exhibits along with a copy of each exhibit; and any 
stipulations of fact or liability. The failure of a party to comply 
with this provision will preclude the party from presenting any 
witnesses or exhibits not listed in its prehearing submission at the 
hearing, except for good cause shown. To account for cases in which the 
hearing officer has dispensed with expert discovery, this section also 
requires that a statement of any expert's qualifications and other 
information concerning the expert be turned over if it has not been 
provided pursuant to Sec.  1081.210.
    The FTC Rules do not provide for a prehearing submission, and the 
SEC Rules, 17 CFR 201.222, do not make such a submission mandatory. The 
Bureau has followed the Uniform Rules' model as it believes that 
prehearing submissions will assist the parties in clarifying and 
narrowing the issues to be adjudicated at the hearing, which is 
especially important under the expedited hearing schedule provided for 
by section 1053(b) of the Dodd-Frank Act and this Final Rule.
    The Bureau received no comment on Sec.  1081.215 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.216 Amicus Participation
    This section of the Interim Final Rule, based upon the SEC Rules, 
17 CFR 201.210, allows for amicus briefs in proceedings under this 
part, but only

[[Page 39079]]

under certain circumstances. Specifically, under paragraph (a) of this 
section, an amicus brief may be allowed when a motion for leave to file 
the brief has been granted; the brief is accompanied by written consent 
of all parties; the brief is filed at the request of the Director or 
the hearing officer, as appropriate; or the brief is presented by the 
United States or an officer or agency thereof, or by a State, or a 
political subdivision thereof.
    One commenter expressed concern that the authorization for 
governmental agencies to file amicus briefs without receiving prior 
permission will result in the filing of numerous amicus briefs. The 
Bureau believes that amicus briefs from governmental entities are 
likely to make a valuable contribution to the adjudicative process, and 
are unlikely to become overwhelming or detrimental. The Bureau will 
consider revisiting this section if this belief proves incorrect, but 
the Final Rule adopts paragraph (a) of the Interim Final Rule without 
change.
    A motion to file an amicus brief is subject to the procedural 
requirements set forth in Sec.  1081.205. An amicus will be granted 
oral argument only for extraordinary reasons. In order to provide 
additional guidance to parties seeking to file amicus briefs, Sec.  
1081.216(d) provides that amicus briefs shall be filed pursuant to 
Sec.  1081.111 and shall comply with the requirements of Sec.  
1081.112. Amicus briefs shall also be subject to the length limitations 
set forth in Sec.  1081.212(e). The Bureau received no comments 
regarding the rest of Sec.  1081.216 of the Interim Final Rule, and 
adopts the remaining paragraphs without change in the Final Rule.

Subpart C--Hearings

Section 1081.300 Public Hearings
    This section of the Interim Final Rule provides that hearings 
before the Bureau will be presumptively public, a practice that is 
consistent with the provisions of the FTC Rules, 16 CFR 3.41(a), the 
SEC Rules, 17 CFR 201.301, and the Uniform Rules, 12 CFR 19.33(a). 
Specifically, the Interim Final Rule provides that hearings will be 
public unless a confidentiality order is entered by the hearing officer 
according to the standard set forth in Sec.  1081.119, or unless the 
Director otherwise orders a non-public hearing on the ground that 
holding an open hearing would be contrary to the public interest.
    One commenter stated that the hearing officer needs greater 
flexibility in limiting the public nature of adjudication hearings. 
This commenter argued that allowing the hearing officer to limit the 
public nature of the proceeding in accordance with the standard set 
forth in Sec.  1081.119 was problematic and advocated for the hearing 
officer to be permitted to establish time, place and manner limitations 
on the attendance of the public and the media for any public hearing. 
This commenter also recommended that the Director be permitted to close 
a hearing.
    The Bureau has considered this comment but determined to retain its 
articulated standard and presumption of public hearings. Incorporating 
the standard set forth in Sec.  1081.119 into the standard for limiting 
the public nature of a hearing provides meaningful guidance to the 
hearing officer as to the types of hearings that should not be public, 
and promotes consistency in adjudication proceedings. With respect to 
the commenter's recommendation that the Director have the authority to 
close a public hearing, this section as previously promulgated allows 
the Director to limit the public nature of an adjudication proceeding 
on the grounds that holding an open hearing would be contrary to the 
public interest.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.300 of the Interim Final Rule without 
change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.301 Failure To Appear
    This section of the Interim Final Rule is modeled after the Uniform 
Rules, 12 CFR 19.21. It provides that the failure of a respondent to 
appear in person or by duly authorized counsel at the hearing may 
constitute a waiver of the respondent's right to a hearing and may be 
deemed an admission of the facts alleged and a consent to the relief 
sought in the notice of charges. This section directs the hearing 
officer to file a recommended decision addressing the relief sought in 
the notice of charges, without further notice to the respondent, when 
respondents fail to appear at the hearing.
    The Bureau received no comments on Sec.  1081.301 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.302 Conduct of Hearings
    This section of the Interim Final Rule provides general principles 
for the conduct of hearings and the order in which the parties are to 
present their cases. The first sentence emphasizing the goals of 
fairness, impartiality, expediency, and orderliness is drawn from the 
SEC Rules, 17 CFR 201.300. The remainder of the section, which governs 
the order in which the parties are to present their cases, is modeled 
after the Uniform Rules, 12 CFR 19.35.
    The Bureau received no comment on Sec.  1081.302 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.303 Evidence
    This section of the Interim Final Rule sets forth the provisions 
governing the offering and admissibility of evidence at hearings, and 
adopts evidentiary standards similar to those set forth in the FTC 
Rules, the SEC Rules, and the Uniform Rules.
    Paragraph (a) of this section provides that enforcement counsel 
shall bear the burden of proving the ultimate issue(s) of the Bureau's 
claims at the hearing. Consistent with general administrative practice, 
paragraph (b) of Sec.  1081.303 provides that evidence that is 
relevant, material, reliable, and not unduly repetitive shall be 
admissible to the fullest extent authorized by the APA and other 
applicable law, and that evidence shall not be excluded solely on the 
basis of its being hearsay if it is otherwise admissible and bears 
satisfactory indicia of reliability. Paragraph (c) of this section 
provides that official notice may be taken of any material fact that is 
not subject to reasonable dispute in that it is either generally known 
or capable of accurate and ready determination by resort to sources 
whose accuracy cannot reasonably be questioned.
    Paragraph (d)(1) provides that duplicate copies of documents are 
admissible to the same extent as originals unless a genuine issue is 
raised about the veracity or legibility of a document. Paragraph (d)(2) 
of this section provides that, subject to paragraph (b), any document 
prepared by a prudential regulator or by a State regulatory agency is 
presumptively admissible either with or without a sponsoring witness. 
On its own initiative, the Bureau is revising paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section to add the Bureau to the list of regulators whose documents are 
presumptively admissible with or without a sponsoring witness. The 
Uniform Rules, 12 CFR 19.36(c)(2), on which this paragraph is modeled, 
is promulgated by each of the prudential regulators, and therefore the 
intent of this paragraph is, in part, for each regulator to have its 
own documents be deemed presumptively admissible. Consistent with the 
intended purpose of this paragraph, the Bureau adds itself as a 
regulator under paragraph (d)(2). Finally, paragraph (d)(4) of this 
section provides that documents generated by respondents that come from 
their own files are

[[Page 39080]]

presumed authentic and kept in the regular course of business. 
Respondents bear the burden of proof to introduce evidence to rebut 
this presumption.
    Paragraph (e) of this section of the Interim Final Rule provides 
that objections to the admissibility of evidence must be timely made 
and that a failure to object to the admission of evidence shall 
constitute a waiver of the objection.
    Pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section of the Interim Final 
Rule, parties may, at any stage of the proceeding, stipulate as to any 
relevant matters of fact or the authentication of any relevant 
documents. Such stipulations may be received in evidence at the hearing 
and are binding on the parties.
    Paragraph (g) of this section of the Interim Final Rule provides 
that witnesses at a hearing are required to testify under oath or 
affirmation. Parties are entitled to present their cases or defenses by 
sworn oral testimony and documentary evidence, including through the 
testimony of a witness appearing via videoconference or teleconference.
    Paragraph (h) of this section, which relates to the admissibility 
of prior sworn statements of witnesses, is modeled after the SEC Rules, 
17 CFR 201.235. Under paragraph (h) prior sworn statements may be 
admitted if a witness is dead, outside of the United States, unable to 
attend because of age, sickness, infirmity, imprisonment or other 
disability, or if the party offering the sworn statement is unable to 
procure the attendance of the witness by subpoena. Even if these 
conditions are not met, a prior sworn statement may be introduced into 
the record at the discretion of the hearing officer.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.303 of the Interim Final Rule with the 
changes discussed above.
Section 1081.304 Record of the Hearing
    Modeled on the FTC Rules, 16 CFR 3.44, this section of the Interim 
Final Rule provides that hearings will be stenographically reported and 
transcribed and that the original transcript shall be part of the 
record. It outlines the procedure by which a party may request 
correction of the transcript. Finally, it states that upon completion 
of the hearing, the hearing officer will issue an order closing the 
record after giving the parties three days to determine whether the 
record is complete or requires supplementation.
    The Bureau received no comment on Sec.  1081.304 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.305 Post-Hearing Filings
    This section of the Interim Final Rule is drawn largely from the 
Uniform Rules, 12 CFR 19.37, and provides that the parties may file 
proposed findings of fact, proposed conclusions of law, and a proposed 
order within 30 days following service of a notice on the parties that 
the transcript has been properly filed or within such longer period as 
the hearing officer may order. Proposed findings and conclusions must 
be supported by citation to any relevant authorities, and by page 
references to any relevant portions of the record. Responsive briefs 
may be filed to these proposed findings and conclusions within 15 days 
after the deadline for the proposed findings and conclusions, provided 
that the party responding has filed its own proposed findings and 
conclusions. The hearing officer shall not order the filing by any 
party of any post-hearing brief or responsive brief in advance of the 
other party's filing of its post-hearing brief.
    The Bureau received no comment on Sec.  1081.305 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.306 Record in Proceedings Before Hearing Officer; 
Retention of Documents; Copies
    This section of the Interim Final Rule, drawn from the SEC Rules, 
17 CFR 201.350, lists the documents that comprise the record of a 
proceeding before the hearing officer. It provides that those documents 
excluded from evidence should be excluded from the record but retained 
until either a decision of the Bureau has become final, or the 
conclusion of any judicial review of the Director's final order. This 
section also states that a copy of a document in the record may be 
substituted for an original.
    The Bureau has amended this section to reflect the transfer of 
certain functions to the Office of Administrative Adjudications.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.306 of the Interim Final Rule with the 
changes discussed above.

Subpart D--Decision and Appeal

Section 1081.400 Recommended Decision of the Hearing Officer
    This section of the Interim Final Rule adopts the general framework 
of the SEC Rules, 17 CFR 201.360, governing decisions by the hearing 
officer. Section 1081.400 provides that the hearing officer will file a 
recommended decision in each case within a specified time frame. Unlike 
the SEC Rules, which provide that the hearing officer will issue an 
``initial decision,'' this section provides that the hearing officer's 
decision will be a ``recommended decision'' to the Director.
    This section also deviates from the analogous SEC Rules in that it 
provides for only one timeline, rather than multiple ``tracks'' or 
timelines. Paragraph (a) of this section provides that the hearing 
officer will file a recommended decision in each case no later than 90 
days after the deadline for filing post-hearing responsive briefs and 
in no event later than 300 days after service of the notice of charges. 
The 300-day timeframe is taken from the SEC Rules, 17 CFR 
201.360(a)(2), and the 90-day timeframe is modeled on the FTC Rules, 16 
CFR 3.51(a).
    Paragraph (b) of this section provides that requests by the hearing 
officer for extensions of this time frame must be made to the Director 
and will be granted only if the Director determines that additional 
time is necessary or appropriate in the public interest. The Bureau 
anticipates such requests and extensions to be rare. As noted above, 
this provision was adopted to ensure the timely resolution of 
adjudication proceedings in light of the experience of other agencies. 
The Bureau believes that the 90-day and 300-day timelines set forth in 
this section provide sufficient time for the hearing officer to conduct 
appropriate proceedings and issue an informed recommended decision.
    Paragraph (c) of this section is modeled on the SEC Rules, 17 CFR 
201.360(b), and sets forth the contents of the recommended decision, 
providing that the recommended decision shall include a statement of 
findings of fact and conclusions of law, as well as the reasons or 
basis therefore, and an appropriate order, sanction, relief or denial 
thereof. The recommended decision shall also state that a notice of 
appeal may be filed within ten days after service of the recommended 
decision, and shall include a statement that the Director may issue a 
final decision and order adopting the recommended decision, unless a 
party timely files and perfects a notice of appeal. The recommended 
decision shall be filed with the Office of Administrative Adjudication 
(as opposed to the Executive Secretary as set forth in the Interim 
Final Rule), which will promptly serve the recommended decision on the 
parties.
    Drawing from the FTC Rules, 16 CFR 3.51(d), paragraph (d) of this 
section provides that the recommended decision shall be made by the 
hearing officer who presided over the hearing, except when he or she 
has become unavailable to the Bureau. In such

[[Page 39081]]

instances, the Bureau expects the matter to be reassigned pursuant to 
Sec.  1081.105(d). Paragraph (e) of this section provides that the 
hearing officer may reopen proceedings for receipt of further evidence 
upon a showing of good cause until the close of the hearing record. 
With the exception of correcting clerical errors or addressing a remand 
from the Director, the hearing officer's jurisdiction terminates upon 
the filing of the recommended decision.
    The Bureau received no comment on Sec.  1081.400 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.401 Transmission of Documents to Director; Record Index; 
Certification
    This section of the Interim Final Rule is modeled on the Uniform 
Rules, 12 CFR 19.38(b), and the SEC Rules, 17 CFR 201.351(c). It 
directs the hearing officer to furnish to the Director a certified 
index for the case at the same time that the hearing officer files the 
recommended decision. It also establishes the process by which the 
record is transmitted to the Director for review.
    The Bureau received no comment relating to this section of the 
Interim Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.402 Notice of Appeal; Review by the Director
    This section of the Interim Final Rule sets forth the process for 
review of a recommended decision by the Director.
    Paragraph (a) of this section is drawn from the FTC Rules, 16 CFR 
3.52(b), and states that any party may object to the recommended 
decision of the hearing officer by filing a notice of appeal to the 
Director within ten days of the recommended decision and perfecting 
that notice of appeal by filing an opening brief within 30 days of the 
recommended decision. Any party may respond to the opening brief by 
filing an answering brief within 30 days of service of the opening 
brief, and reply briefs may be filed within seven days after that. 
Appeals to the Director are available as of right in all cases where 
the hearing officer has issued a recommended decision.
    A commenter noted that the ten-day deadline by which a party must 
file a notice of appeal is shorter than the 30-day deadline required by 
the prudential regulators, and urged the Bureau to extend its deadline 
to 30 days. The Bureau has considered this suggestion but has decided 
to keep the ten-day deadline. The burden on a party to file a proper 
notice of appeal is minimal. A party need only specify the party or 
parties against whom the appeal is taken, and designate the recommended 
decision or part thereof appealed from. The ten-day timeline provides 
adequate time to make these initial determinations. The more 
comprehensive document in the appeals process, the opening brief, is 
not due until 30 days from the service of the recommended decision. 
Moreover, an extension of the deadline for a notice of appeal would 
require extension of other deadlines in the appeal process, such as the 
Director's review in the absence of a notice of appeal.
    This section also provides that within 40 days after the date of 
service of the recommended decision, the Director, on his or her own 
initiative, may order further briefing or argument with respect to any 
recommended decision or portion of any recommended decision or may 
issue a final decision and order adopting the recommended decision. The 
40-day time period is intended to provide the Director with the benefit 
of knowing whether any party has filed and perfected an appeal before 
determining whether further briefing and argument regarding a 
recommended decision is necessary. Any such order shall set forth the 
scope of further review and the issues that will be considered and will 
provide for the filing of briefs if the Director deems briefing 
appropriate.
    Finally, this section provides that, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 704, a 
perfected appeal to the Director of a recommended decision is a 
prerequisite to the seeking of judicial review of a final decision and 
order, unless the Director issues a final decision and order that does 
not incorporate the recommended decision, in which case judicial review 
shall be limited to that portion of the Director's final decision and 
order that does not adopt the recommended decision.
    The Bureau adopts Sec.  1081.402 of the Interim Final Rule without 
change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.403 Briefs Filed With the Director
    This section of the Interim Final Rule outlines the requirements 
for briefs filed with the Director. Paragraph (a) of this section is 
modeled on the SEC Rules, 17 CFR 201.450(b), and governs the content of 
briefs. Paragraph (b) is also drawn from the SEC Rules, 17 CFR 
201.450(c), and sets forth length limitations for briefs. Unlike the 
SEC and the FTC, the Bureau has placed page limits--rather than word 
limits--on briefs. This change is intended to simplify practice before 
the Director.
    The Bureau received no comment on Sec.  1081.403 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.404 Oral Argument Before the Director
    This section of the Interim Final Rule adopts the SEC's policy for 
oral argument on appeal wherein the Director will consider appeals, 
motions, and other matters on the basis of the papers filed without 
oral argument unless the Director determines that the presentation of 
facts and legal arguments in the briefs and record and the decisional 
process would be significantly aided by oral argument. A party who 
seeks oral argument is directed to indicate such a request on the first 
page of its opening or answering brief. Oral argument shall be public 
unless otherwise ordered by the Director.
    The Bureau received no comment on Sec.  1081.404 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.405 Decision of the Director
    This section of the Interim Final Rule sets forth the provisions 
regarding the final decision and order of the Director. Paragraph (a) 
provides for the scope of the Director's review and defines the record 
before the Director as consisting of all items that were part of the 
record below in accordance with Sec.  1081.306; any notices of appeal 
or order directing review; all briefs, motions, submissions, and other 
papers filed on appeal or review; and the transcript of any oral 
argument held.
    Paragraph (b) provides that the Director may have the advice and 
assistance of decisional employees in considering and disposing of a 
case. Paragraph (c) provides that the Director's final decision will 
affirm, adopt, modify, set aside, or remand for further proceedings the 
hearing officer's recommended decision and will include a statement of 
the reasons or basis for the Director's actions and the findings of 
fact relied upon.
    In accordance with section 1053 of the Dodd-Frank Act, paragraph 
(d) of this section provides that, at the expiration of the time 
permitted for the filing of reply briefs with the Director, the Office 
of Administrative Adjudication will notify the parties that the case 
has been submitted for final Bureau decision by the Director. The 
Director will then issue a final decision and order within 90 days of 
such notification to the parties. This policy

[[Page 39082]]

ensures a timely final resolution to all administrative adjudications.
    Paragraph (e) provides that copies of final decisions and orders by 
the Director will be served upon each party, upon other persons 
required by statute, and, if directed by the Director or required by 
statute, upon any appropriate State or Federal supervisory authority. 
The final decision and order will also be published on the Bureau's Web 
site or as otherwise deemed appropriate by the Bureau.
    The Bureau received no comments on Sec.  1081.405 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.406 Reconsideration
    This section of the Interim Final Rule permits parties to file 
petitions for reconsideration of a final decision and order within 14 
days after service of the decision and order. The Bureau adopts the 
practice set forth in the SEC Rules, 17 CFR 201.470, pursuant to which 
no response to a petition for reconsideration will be filed unless 
requested by the Director, and the Bureau adds a provision providing 
that the Director will request such a response before granting any 
motion for reconsideration. This is intended to lessen the burden on 
prevailing parties while preserving their opportunity to be heard if 
the Director is considering granting a motion for reconsideration.
    The Bureau received no comments on Sec.  1081.406 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it without change in the Final Rule.
Section 1081.407 Effective Date; Stays Pending Judicial Review
    Paragraph (a) of this section of the Interim Final Rule governs the 
effective date of the Director's final orders, other than consent 
orders. Consistent with section 1053(b) of the Dodd-Frank Act, orders 
to cease and desist and for other affirmative relief shall become 
effective 30 days after the date of service of the Director's final 
decision and order, unless stayed by the Director under paragraph (b) 
of this section.
    Paragraph (b) of this section contains the procedures regarding 
stays of Bureau orders. Any party subject to a final order, other than 
a consent order, may apply to the Director for a stay of all or part of 
that order pending judicial review. Such a motion must be made within 
30 days of service of the Director's final decision and order. A motion 
for a stay shall address the likelihood of the movant's success on 
appeal, whether the movant will suffer irreparable harm if a stay is 
not granted, the degree of injury to other parties if a stay is 
granted, and why the stay is in the public interest.
    Finally, paragraph (d) of this section adopts the provision from 
the Uniform Rules, 12 CFR 19.41, providing that the commencement of 
proceedings for judicial review of a final decision and order of the 
Director does not, unless specifically ordered by the Director or a 
reviewing court, operate as a stay of any order issued by the Director.
    The Bureau received no comments on Sec.  1081.407 of the Interim 
Final Rule and adopts it in the Final Rule without change.

VI. Legal Authority

    The Bureau promulgates the Final Rule pursuant to its authority to 
implement section 1053 of the Dodd-Frank Act, 12 U.S.C. 5563(e), as 
well as its general rulemaking authority to promulgate rules necessary 
or appropriate to carry out the Federal consumer financial laws, 12 
U.S.C. 5512(b)(1).

VII. Section 1022(b)(2) Provisions

    In developing the Final Rule, the Bureau has considered the 
potential benefits, costs, and impacts and has consulted or offered to 
consult with the prudential regulators, the Department of Housing and 
Urban Development, the SEC, the Department of Justice, and the FTC 
before and after issuing the Interim Final Rule, including with regard 
to consistency with any prudential, market, or systemic objectives 
administered by such agencies.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Section 1022(b)(2)(A) of the Dodd-Frank Act addresses the 
consideration of the potential benefits and costs of regulation to 
consumers and covered persons, including the potential reduction of 
access by consumers to consumer financial products or services; the 
impact on depository institutions and credit unions with $10 billion 
or less in total assets as described in section 1026 of the Dodd-
Frank Act; and the impact on consumers in rural areas. Section 
1022(b)(2)(B) addresses consultation between the Bureau and other 
Federal agencies during the rulemaking process. The manner and 
extent to which these provisions apply to procedural rules and 
benefits, costs and impacts that are compelled by statutory changes 
rather than discretionary Bureau action is unclear. Nevertheless, to 
inform this rulemaking more fully, the Bureau performed the 
described analyses and consultations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Dodd-Frank Act requires the Bureau to prescribe rules necessary 
to conduct hearings and adjudicatory proceedings. The Final Rule 
neither imposes obligations on consumers, nor is it expected to affect 
their access to consumer financial products or services.
    The Final Rule is intended to provide an expeditious decision-
making process, which will benefit both consumers and covered persons. 
The Final Rule adopts an affirmative disclosure approach to fact 
discovery, pursuant to which the Bureau will make available to 
respondents the information obtained by the Office of Enforcement from 
persons not employed by the Bureau prior to the institution of 
proceedings, in connection with the investigation leading to the 
institution of proceedings that is not otherwise privileged or 
protected from disclosure. This affirmative disclosure obligation 
substitutes for the traditional civil discovery process, which can be 
both time-consuming and expensive. This clear and efficient process for 
the conduct of adjudication proceedings benefits consumers by providing 
a systematic process for protecting them from unlawful behavior. At the 
same time, this process will afford covered persons with a cost-
effective way to have their cases heard. The Final Rule is based upon, 
and drawn from, existing rules of the prudential regulators, the FTC, 
and the SEC. The Final Rule's similarity to existing rules should 
further reduce the expense of administrative adjudication for covered 
persons.
    Further, the Final Rule has no unique impact on insured depository 
institutions or insured credit unions with less than $10 billion in 
assets described in section 1026(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act. Finally, the 
Final Rule does not have a unique impact on rural consumers.
    A commenter stated that the four interim final rules that the 
Bureau promulgated together on July 28, 2011 failed to satisfy the 
rulemaking requirements under section 1022 of the Dodd-Frank Act. 
Specifically, the commenter stated that ``the CFPB's analysis of the 
costs and benefits of its rules does not recognize the significant 
costs the CFPB imposes on covered persons.'' The Bureau believes that 
it appropriately considered the benefits, costs, and impacts of the 
Interim Final Rule pursuant to section 1022 of the Dodd-Frank Act. 
Notably, the commenter did not identify any specific costs to covered 
persons imposed by the Rules of Practice for Adjudication Proceedings 
that are not discussed in Part C of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION to 
the Interim Final Rule.

VIII. Procedural Requirements

    As noted in publishing the Interim Final Rule, under the 
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553(b), notice and comment is 
not required for rules of agency organization, procedure, or practice. 
As discussed in the preamble to the Interim Final Rule, the Bureau 
confirms its finding that this is a procedural rule for which notice 
and comment is not required. In addition,

[[Page 39083]]

because the Final Rule relates solely to agency procedure and practice, 
it is not subject to the 30-day delayed effective date for substantive 
rules under section 553(d) of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 
U.S.C. 551 et seq.
    Because no notice of proposed rulemaking is required, the 
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601(2) do not 
apply. Finally, the Bureau has determined that this Final Rule does not 
impose any new recordkeeping, reporting, or disclosure requirements on 
covered entities or members of the public that would be collections of 
information requiring approval under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 1081

    Administrative practice and procedure, Banking, Banks, Consumer 
protection, Credit, Credit unions, Law enforcement, National banks, 
Savings associations, Trade practices.

Authority and Issuance

    For the reasons set forth above, the Bureau of Consumer Financial 
Protection revises part 1081 to 12 CFR chapter X to read as follows:

PART 1081--RULES OF PRACTICE FOR ADJUDICATION PROCEEDINGS

Subpart A--General Rules
Sec.
1081.100 Scope of the rules of practice.
1081.101 Expedition and fairness of proceedings.
1081.102 Rules of construction.
1081.103 Definitions.
1081.104 Authority of the hearing officer.
1081.105 Assignment, substitution, performance, disqualification of 
hearing officer.
1081.106 Deadlines.
1081.107 Appearance and practice in adjudication proceedings.
1081.108 Good faith certification.
1081.109 Conflict of interest.
1081.110 Ex parte communication.
1081.111 Filing of papers.
1081.112 Formal requirements as to papers filed.
1081.113 Service of papers.
1081.114 Construction of time limits.
1081.115 Change of time limits.
1081.116 Witness fees and expenses.
1081.117 Bureau's right to conduct examination, collect information.
1081.118 Collateral attacks on adjudication proceedings.
1081.119 Confidential information; protective orders.
1081.120 Settlement.
1081.121 Cooperation with other agencies.
Subpart B--Initiation of Proceedings and Prehearing Rules
Sec.
1081.200 Commencement of proceeding and contents of notice of 
charges.
1081.201 Answer and disclosure statement and notification of 
financial interest.
1081.202 Amended pleadings.
1081.203 Scheduling conference.
1081.204 Consolidation and severance of actions.
1081.205 Non-dispositive motions.
1081.206 Availability of documents for inspection and copying.
1081.207 Production of witness statements.
1081.208 Subpoenas.
1081.209 Deposition of witness unavailable for hearing.
1081.210 Expert discovery.
1081.211 Interlocutory review.
1081.212 Dispositive motions.
1081.213 Partial summary disposition.
1081.214 Prehearing conferences.
1081.215 Prehearing submissions.
1081.216 Amicus participation.
Subpart C--Hearings
Sec.
1081.300 Public hearings.
1081.301 Failure to appear.
1081.302 Conduct of hearings.
1081.303 Evidence.
1081.304 Record of the hearing.
1081.305 Post-hearing filings.
1081.306 Record in proceedings before hearing officer; retention of 
documents; copies.
Subpart D--Decision and Appeals
Sec.
1081.400 Recommended decision of the hearing officer.
1081.401 Transmission of documents to Director; record index; 
certification.
1081.402 Notice of appeal; review by the Director.
1081.403 Briefs filed with the Director.
1081.404 Oral argument before the Director.
1081.405 Decision of the Director.
1081.406 Reconsideration.
1081.407 Effective date; stays pending judicial review.

    Authority:  Pub. L. 111-203, Title X.

Subpart A--General Rules

Sec.  1081.100  Scope of the rules of practice.

    This part prescribes rules of practice and procedure applicable to 
adjudication proceedings authorized by section 1053 of the Dodd-Frank 
Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Dodd-Frank Act) 
to ensure or enforce compliance with the provisions of Title X of the 
Dodd-Frank Act, rules prescribed by the Bureau under Title X of the 
Dodd-Frank Act, and any other Federal law or regulation that the Bureau 
is authorized to enforce. These rules of practice do not govern the 
conduct of Bureau investigations, investigational hearings or other 
proceedings that do not arise from proceedings after a notice of 
charges.

Sec.  1081.101  Expedition and fairness of proceedings.

    To the extent practicable, consistent with requirements of law, the 
Bureau's policy is to conduct such adjudication proceedings fairly and 
expeditiously. In the conduct of such proceedings, the hearing officer 
and counsel for all parties shall make every effort at each stage of a 
proceeding to avoid delay. With the consent of the parties, the 
Director, at any time, or the hearing officer at any time prior to the 
filing of his or her recommended decision, may shorten any time limit 
prescribed by this part.

Sec.  1081.102  Rules of construction.

    For the purposes of this part:
    (a) Any term in the singular includes the plural, and the plural 
includes the singular, if such use would be appropriate;
    (b) Any use of a masculine, feminine, or neutral gender encompasses 
all three, if such use would be appropriate;
    (c) Unless context requires otherwise, a party's counsel of record, 
if any, may, on behalf of that party, take any action required to be 
taken by the party; and
    (d) To the extent this part uses terms defined by section 1002 of 
the Dodd-Frank Act, such terms shall have the same meaning as set forth 
therein, unless defined differently by Sec.  1081.103.

Sec.  1081.103  Definitions.

    For the purposes of this part, unless explicitly stated to the 
contrary:
    Dodd-Frank Act means the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer 
Protection Act of 2010, Public Law 111-203 (July 21, 2010).
    Adjudication proceeding means a proceeding conducted pursuant to 
section 1053 of the Dodd-Frank Act and intended to lead to the 
formulation of a final order other than a temporary order to cease and 
desist issued pursuant to section 1053(c) of the Dodd-Frank Act.
    Bureau means the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
    Chief hearing officer means the hearing officer charged with 
assigning hearing officers to specific proceedings, in the event there 
is more than one hearing officer available to the Bureau.
    Counsel means any person representing a party pursuant to Sec.  
1081.107.
    Decisional employee means any employee of the Bureau who has not 
engaged in an investigative or prosecutorial role in a proceeding and 
who may assist the Director or the hearing officer, respectively, in 
preparing orders, recommended decisions, decisions, and other documents 
under this part.
    Director means the Director of the Bureau or a person authorized to 
perform the functions of the Director in accordance with the law.

[[Page 39084]]

    Enforcement counsel means any individual who files a notice of 
appearance as counsel on behalf of the Bureau in an adjudication 
proceeding.
    Final order means an order issued by the Bureau with or without the 
consent of the respondent, which has become final, without regard to 
the pendency of any petition for reconsideration or review.
    General Counsel means the General Counsel of the Bureau or any 
Bureau employee to whom the General Counsel has delegated authority to 
act under this part.
    Hearing officer means an administrative law judge or any other 
person duly authorized to preside at a hearing.
    Notice of charges means the pleading that commences an adjudication 
proceeding, as described in Sec.  1081.200, except that it does not 
include a stipulation and consent order under Sec.  1081.200(d).
    Office of Administrative Adjudication means the office of the 
Bureau responsible for conducting adjudication proceedings.
    Office of Enforcement means the office of the Bureau responsible 
for enforcement of Federal consumer financial law.
    Party means the Bureau, any person named as a party in any notice 
of charges issued pursuant to this part, and, to the extent applicable, 
any person who intervenes in the proceeding pursuant to Sec.  
1081.119(a) to seek a protective order.
    Person means an individual, partnership, company, corporation, 
association (incorporated or unincorporated), trust, estate, 
cooperative organization, or other entity.
    Person employed by the Bureau means Bureau employees, contractors, 
agents, and others acting for or on behalf of the Bureau, or at its 
direction, including consulting experts.
    Respondent means the party named in the notice of charges.
    State means any State, territory, or possession of the United 
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or 
the United States Virgin Islands or any federally recognized Indian 
tribe, as defined by the Secretary of the Interior under section 104(a) 
of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. 
479a-1(a).

Sec.  1081.104  Authority of the hearing officer.

    (a) General Rule. The hearing officer shall have all powers 
necessary to conduct a proceeding in a fair and impartial manner and to 
avoid unnecessary delay. No provision of this part shall be construed 
to limit the powers of the hearing officers provided by the 
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 556, 557.
    (b) Powers. The powers of the hearing officer include but are not 
limited to the power:
    (1) To administer oaths and affirmations;
    (2) To issue subpoenas, subpoenas duces tecum, and protective 
orders, as authorized by this part, and to quash or modify any such 
subpoenas or orders;
    (3) To take depositions or cause depositions to be taken;
    (4) To receive relevant evidence and to rule upon the admission of 
evidence and offers of proof;
    (5) To regulate the course of a proceeding and the conduct of 
parties and their counsel;
    (6) To reject written submissions that materially fail to comply 
with the requirements of this part, and to deny confidential status to 
documents and testimony without prejudice until a party complies with 
all relevant rules;
    (7) To hold conferences for settlement, simplification of the 
issues, or any other proper purpose and require the attendance at any 
such conference of at least one representative of each party who has 
authority to negotiate concerning the resolution of issues in 
controversy;
    (8) To inform the parties as to the availability of one or more 
alternative means of dispute resolution, and to encourage the use of 
such methods;
    (9) To certify questions to the Director for his or her 
determination in accordance with the rules of this part;
    (10) To consider and rule upon, as justice may require, all 
procedural and other motions appropriate in adjudication proceedings;
    (11) To issue and file recommended decisions;
    (12) To recuse himself or herself by motion made by a party or on 
his or her own motion;
    (13) To issue such sanctions against parties or their counsel as 
may be necessary to deter repetition of sanctionable conduct or 
comparable conduct by others similarly situated, as provided for in 
this part or as otherwise necessary to the appropriate conduct of 
hearings and related proceedings, provided that no sanction shall be 
imposed before providing the sanctioned person an opportunity to show 
cause why no such sanction should issue; and
    (14) To do all other things necessary and appropriate to discharge 
the duties of a presiding officer.

Sec.  1081.105  Assignment, substitution, performance, disqualification 
of hearing officer.

    (a) How assigned. In the event that more than one hearing officer 
is available to the Bureau for the conduct of proceedings under this 
part, the presiding hearing officer shall be designated by the chief 
hearing officer, who shall notify the parties of the hearing officer 
designated.
    (b) Interference. Hearing officers shall not be subject to the 
supervision or direction of, or responsible to, any officer, employee, 
or agent engaged in the performance of investigative or prosecuting 
functions for the Bureau, and all direction by the Bureau to the 
hearing officer concerning any adjudication proceedings shall appear in 
and be made part of the record.
    (c) Disqualification of hearing officers. (1) When a hearing 
officer deems himself or herself disqualified to preside in a 
particular proceeding, he or she shall issue a notice stating that he 
or she is withdrawing from the matter and setting forth the reasons 
therefore.
    (2) Any party who has a reasonable, good faith basis to believe 
that a hearing officer has a personal bias, or is otherwise 
disqualified from hearing a case, may make a motion to the hearing 
officer that the hearing officer withdraw. The motion shall be 
accompanied by an affidavit setting forth the facts alleged to 
constitute grounds for disqualification. Such motion shall be filed at 
the earliest practicable time after the party learns, or could 
reasonably have learned, of the alleged grounds for disqualification. 
If the hearing officer does not disqualify himself or herself within 
ten days, he or she shall certify the motion to the Director pursuant 
to Sec.  1081.211, together with any statement he or she may wish to 
have considered by the Director. The Director shall promptly determine 
the validity of the grounds alleged, either directly or on the report 
of another hearing officer appointed to conduct a hearing for that 
purpose, and shall either direct the reassignment of the matter or 
confirm the hearing officer's continued role in the matter.
    (d) Unavailability of hearing officer. In the event that the 
hearing officer withdraws or is otherwise unable to perform the duties 
of the hearing officer, the chief hearing officer or the Director shall 
designate another hearing officer to serve.

[[Page 39085]]

Sec.  1081.106  Deadlines.

    The deadlines for action by the hearing officer established by 
Sec. Sec.  1081.203, 1081.205, 1081.211, 1081.212, and 1081.400, or 
elsewhere in this part, confer no substantive rights on respondents.

Sec.  1081.107  Appearance and practice in adjudication proceedings.

    (a) Appearance before the Bureau or a hearing officer. (1) By 
attorneys. Any member in good standing of the bar of the highest court 
of any State may represent others before the Bureau if such attorney is 
not currently suspended or debarred from practice before the Bureau or 
by a court of the United States or of any State.
    (2) By non-attorneys. So long as such individual is not currently 
suspended or debarred from practice before the Bureau:
    (i) An individual may appear on his or her own behalf;
    (ii) A member of a partnership may represent the partnership;
    (iii) A duly authorized officer of a corporation, trust or 
association may represent the corporation, trust or association; and
    (iv) A duly authorized officer or employee of any government unit, 
agency, or authority may represent that unit, agency, or authority.
    (3) Notice of appearance. Any individual acting as counsel on 
behalf of a party, including the Bureau, shall file a notice of 
appearance at or before the time that the individual submits papers or 
otherwise appears on behalf of a party in the adjudication proceeding. 
The notice of appearance must include a written declaration that the 
individual is currently qualified as provided in paragraph (a)(1) or 
(a)(2) of this section and is authorized to represent the particular 
party, and if applicable, must include the attorney's jurisdiction of 
admission or qualification, attorney identification number, and a 
statement by the appearing attorney attesting to his or her good 
standing within the legal profession. By filing a notice of appearance 
on behalf of a party in an adjudication proceeding, the counsel agrees 
and represents that he or she is authorized to accept service on behalf 
of the represented party and that, in the event of withdrawal from 
representation, he or she will, if required by the hearing officer, 
continue to accept service until a new counsel has filed a notice of 
appearance or until the represented party indicates that he or she will 
proceed on a pro se basis. The notice of appearance shall provide the 
representative's email address, telephone number and business address 
and, if different from the representative's addresses, electronic or 
other address at which the represented party may be served.
    (b) Sanctions. Dilatory, obstructionist, egregious, contemptuous or 
contumacious conduct at any phase of any adjudication proceeding may be 
grounds for exclusion or suspension of counsel from the proceeding. An 
order imposing a sanction must describe the sanctioned conduct and 
explain the basis for the sanction.
    (c) Standards of conduct; disbarment. (1) All attorneys practicing 
before the Bureau shall conform to the standards of ethical conduct 
required by the bars of which the attorneys are members.
    (2) If for good cause shown, the Director believes that any 
attorney is not conforming to such standards, or that an attorney or 
counsel to a party has otherwise engaged in conduct warranting 
disciplinary action, the Director may issue an order requiring such 
person to show cause why he should not be suspended or disbarred from 
practice before the Bureau. The alleged offender shall be granted due 
opportunity to be heard in his or her own defense and may be 
represented by counsel. Thereafter, if warranted by the facts, the 
Director may issue against the attorney or counsel an order of 
reprimand, suspension, or disbarment.

Sec.  1081.108  Good faith certification.

    (a) General requirement. Every filing or submission of record 
following the issuance of a notice of charges shall be signed by at 
least one counsel of record in his or her individual name and shall 
state counsel's address, email address, and telephone number. A party 
who acts as his or her own counsel shall sign his or her individual 
name and state his or her address, email address, and telephone number 
on every filing or submission of record. Papers filed by electronic 
transmission may be signed with an ``/s/'' notation, which shall be 
deemed the signature of the party or representative whose name appears 
below the signature line.
    (b) Effect of signature. (1) The signature of counsel or a party 
shall constitute a certification that: the counsel or party has read 
the filing or submission of record; to the best of his or her 
knowledge, information, and belief formed after reasonable inquiry, the 
filing or submission of record is well-grounded in fact and is 
warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for the extension, 
modification, or reversal of existing law; and the filing or submission 
of record is not made for any improper purpose, such as to harass or to 
cause unnecessary delay or needless increase in the cost of litigation.
    (2) If a filing or submission of record is not signed, the hearing 
officer shall strike the filing or submission of record, unless it is 
signed promptly after the omission is called to the attention of the 
filer.
    (c) Effect of making oral motion or argument. The act of making any 
oral motion or oral argument by any counsel or party constitutes a 
certification that to the best of his or her knowledge, information, 
and belief formed after reasonable inquiry, his or her statements are 
well-grounded in fact and are warranted by existing law or a good faith 
argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law, 
and are not made for any improper purpose, such as to harass or to 
cause unnecessary delay or needless increase in the cost of litigation.
    (d) Sanctions. Counsel or a party that fails to abide by the 
requirements of this section may be subject to sanctions pursuant to 
Sec.  1081.104(b)(13).

Sec.  1081.109  Conflict of interest.

    (a) Conflict of interest in representation. No person shall appear 
as counsel for another person in an adjudication proceeding if it 
reasonably appears that such representation may be materially limited 
by that counsel's responsibilities to a third person or by the 
counsel's own interests. The hearing officer may take corrective 
measures at any stage of a proceeding to cure a conflict of interest in 
representation, including the issuance of an order limiting the scope 
of representation or disqualifying an individual from appearing in a 
representative capacity for the duration of the proceeding.
    (b) Certification and waiver. If any person appearing as counsel 
represents two or more parties to an adjudication proceeding or also 
represents a non-party on a matter relevant to an issue in the 
proceeding, counsel must certify in writing at the time of filing the 
notice of appearance required by Sec.  1081.107(a)(3):
    (1) That the counsel has personally and fully discussed the 
possibility of conflicts of interest with each such party and non-
party; and
    (2) That each such party and/or non-party waives any right it might 
otherwise have had to assert any known conflicts of interest or to 
assert any conflicts of interest during the course of the proceeding.

Sec.  1081.110  Ex parte communication.

    (a) Definitions. (1) For purposes of this section, ex parte 
communication means any material oral or written

[[Page 39086]]

communication relevant to the merits of an adjudication proceeding that 
was neither on the record nor on reasonable prior notice to all parties 
that takes place between:
    (i) An interested person not employed by the Bureau (including such 
person's counsel); and
    (ii) The hearing officer handling the proceeding, the Director, or 
a decisional employee.
    (2) Exception. A request for status of the proceeding does not 
constitute an ex parte communication.
    (3) Pendency of an adjudication proceeding means the time from when 
the Bureau issues a notice of charges, unless the person responsible 
for the communication has knowledge that a notice of charges will be 
issued, in which case the pendency of an adjudication shall commence at 
the time of his or her acquisition of such knowledge, or from when an 
order by a court of competent jurisdiction remanding a Bureau decision 
and order for further proceedings becomes effective, until the time the 
Director enters his or her final decision and order in the proceeding 
and the time permitted to seek reconsideration of that decision and 
order has elapsed. For purposes of this section, an order of remand by 
a court of competent jurisdiction shall be deemed to become effective 
when the Bureau's right to petition for review or for a writ of 
certiorari has lapsed without a petition having been filed, or when 
such a petition has been denied. If a petition for reconsideration of a 
Bureau decision is filed pursuant to Sec.  1081.406, the matter shall 
be considered to be a pending adjudication proceeding until the time 
the Bureau enters an order disposing of the petition.
    (b) Prohibited ex parte communications. During the pendency of an 
adjudication proceeding, except to the extent required for the 
disposition of ex parte matters as authorized by law or as otherwise 
authorized by this part:
    (1) No interested person not employed by the Bureau shall make or 
knowingly cause to be made to the Director, or to the hearing officer, 
or to any decisional employee, an ex parte communication; and
    (2) The Director, the hearing officer, or any decisional employee 
shall not make or knowingly cause to be made to any interested person 
not employed by the Bureau any ex parte communication.
    (c) Procedure upon occurrence of ex parte communication. If an ex 
parte communication prohibited by paragraph (b) of this section is 
received by the hearing officer, the Director, or any decisional 
employee, that person shall cause all such written communications (or, 
if the communication is oral, a memorandum stating the substance of the 
communication) to be placed on the record of the proceeding and served 
on all parties. All other parties to the proceeding shall have an 
opportunity, within ten days of receipt of service of the ex parte 
communication, to file responses thereto and to recommend any 
sanctions, in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section, that they 
believe to be appropriate under the circumstances.
    (d) Sanctions. (1) Adverse action on claim. Upon receipt of an ex 
parte communication knowingly made or knowingly caused to be made by a 
party and prohibited by paragraph (b) of this section, the Director or 
hearing officer, as appropriate, may, to the extent consistent with the 
interests of justice and the policy of the underlying statutes, require 
the party to show cause why his claim or interest in the proceeding 
should not be dismissed, denied, disregarded, or otherwise adversely 
affected on account of such violation.
    (2) Discipline of persons practicing before the Bureau. The 
Director may, to the extent not prohibited by law, censure, suspend, or 
revoke the privilege to practice before the Bureau of any person who 
makes, or solicits the making of, an unauthorized ex parte 
communication.
    (e) Separation of functions. Except to the extent required for the 
disposition of ex parte matters as authorized by law, the hearing 
officer may not consult a person or party on any matter relevant to the 
merits of the adjudication, unless upon notice and opportunity for all 
parties to participate. An employee or agent engaged in the performance 
of investigative or prosecuting functions for the Bureau in a case, 
other than the Director, may not, in that or a factually related case, 
participate or advise in the decision, recommended decision, or agency 
review of the recommended decision, except as witness or counsel in 
public proceedings.

Sec.  1081.111  Filing of papers.

    (a) Filing. The following papers must be filed by parties in an 
adjudication proceeding: the notice of charges, proof of service of the 
notice of charges, notices of appearance, answer, the disclosure 
statement required under Sec.  1081.201(e), motion, brief, request for 
issuance or enforcement of a subpoena, response, opposition, reply, 
notice of appeal, or petition for reconsideration. The hearing officer 
shall file all written orders, rulings, notices, or requests. Any 
papers required to be filed shall be filed with the Office of 
Administrative Adjudication, except as otherwise provided herein.
    (b) Manner of filing. Unless otherwise specified by the Director or 
the hearing officer, filing may be accomplished by:
    (1) Electronic transmission in accordance with guidance issued by 
the Office of Administrative Adjudication; or
    (2) Any of the following methods if respondent demonstrates, in 
accordance with guidance issued by the Office of Administrative 
Adjudication, that electronic filing is not practicable:
    (i) Personal delivery;
    (ii) Delivery to a reliable commercial courier service or overnight 
delivery service; or
    (iii) Mailing the papers through the U.S. Postal Service by First 
Class Mail, Registered Mail, Certified Mail or Express Mail.
    (c) Papers filed in an adjudication proceeding are presumed to be 
public. Unless otherwise ordered by the Bureau or the hearing officer, 
all papers filed in connection with an adjudication proceeding are 
presumed to be open to the public. The Bureau may provide public access 
to and publish any papers filed in an adjudication proceeding except if 
there is a pending motion for a protective order filed pursuant to 
Sec.  1081.119, or if there is an order from the Director, hearing 
officer, or a Federal court authorizing the confidential treatment of 
the papers filed.

Sec.  1081.112  Formal requirements as to papers filed.

    (a) Form. All papers filed by parties must:
    (1) Set forth the name, address, telephone number, and email 
address of the counsel or party making the filing;
    (2) Be double-spaced (except for single-spaced footnotes and 
single-spaced indented quotations) and printed or typewritten on 8\1/2\ 
x 11 inch paper in 12-point or larger font;
    (3) Include at the head of the paper, or on a title page, a caption 
setting forth the title of the case, the docket number of the 
proceeding, and a brief descriptive title indicating the purpose of the 
paper;
    (4) Be paginated with margins at least one inch wide; and
    (5) If filed by other than electronic means, be stapled, clipped or 
otherwise fastened in a manner that lies flat when opened.
    (b) Signature. All papers must be dated and signed as provided in 
Sec.  1081.108.
    (c) Number of copies. Unless otherwise specified by the Director or 
the hearing officer, one copy of all

[[Page 39087]]

documents and papers shall be filed if filing is by electronic 
transmission. If filing is accomplished by any other means, an original 
and one copy of all documents and papers shall be filed, except that 
only one copy of transcripts of testimony and exhibits must be filed.
    (d) Authority to reject document for filing. The Office of 
Administrative Adjudication or the hearing officer may reject a 
document for filing that materially fails to comply with these rules.
    (e) Sensitive personal information. Sensitive personal information 
means an individual's Social Security number, taxpayer identification 
number, financial account number, credit card or debit card number, 
driver's license number, State-issued identification number, passport 
number, date of birth (other than year), and any sensitive health 
information identifiable by individual, such as an individual's medical 
records. Sensitive personal information shall not be included in, and 
must be redacted or omitted from, filings unless the person filing the 
paper determines that such information is relevant or otherwise 
necessary for the conduct of the proceeding. If the person filing a 
paper determines the sensitive personal information contained in the 
paper is relevant or necessary to the proceeding, the person shall file 
the paper in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section, including 
filing an expurgated copy of the paper with the sensitive personal 
information redacted.
    (f) Confidential treatment of information in certain filings. A 
party seeking confidential treatment of information contained in a 
filing must contemporaneously file either a motion requesting such 
treatment in accordance with Sec.  1081.119 or a copy of the order from 
the Director, hearing officer, or Federal court authorizing such 
confidential treatment. The filing must comply with any applicable 
order of the Director or hearing officer and must be accompanied by:
    (1) A complete, sealed copy of the documents containing the 
materials as to which confidential treatment is sought, with the 
allegedly confidential material clearly marked as such, and with the 
first page of the document labeled ``Under Seal.'' If the movant seeks 
or has obtained a protective order against disclosure to other parties 
as well as the public, copies of the documents shall not be served on 
other parties; and
    (2) An expurgated copy of the materials as to which confidential 
treatment is sought, with the allegedly confidential materials 
redacted. The redacted version shall indicate any omissions with 
brackets or ellipses, and its pagination and depiction of text on each 
page shall be identical to that of the sealed version.
    (g) Certificate of service. Any papers filed in an adjudication 
proceeding shall contain proof of service on all other parties or their 
counsel in the form of a statement of the date and manner of service 
and of the names of the persons served, certified by the person who 
made service. The certificate of service must be affixed to the papers 
filed and signed in accordance with Sec.  1081.108.

Sec.  1081.113  Service of papers.

    (a) When required. In every adjudication proceeding, each paper 
required to be filed by Sec.  1081.111 shall be served upon each party 
in the proceeding in accordance with the provisions of this section; 
provided, however, that absent an order to the contrary, no service 
shall be required for motions which are to be heard ex parte.
    (b) Upon a person represented by counsel. Whenever service is 
required to be made upon a person represented by counsel who has filed 
a notice of appearance pursuant to Sec.  1081.107(a)(3), service shall 
be made pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section upon counsel, unless 
service upon the person represented is ordered by the Director or the 
hearing officer, as appropriate.
    (c) Method of service. Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this 
section or as otherwise ordered by the hearing officer or the Director, 
service shall be made by delivering a copy of the filing by one of the 
following methods:
    (1) Transmitting the papers by electronic transmission where the 
persons so serving each other have consented to service by specified 
electronic transmission and provided the Bureau and the parties with 
notice of the means for service by electronic transmission (e.g., email 
address or facsimile number);
    (2) Handing a copy to the person required to be served; or leaving 
a copy at the person's office with a clerk or other person in charge 
thereof, or, if there is no one in charge, leaving it in a conspicuous 
place therein; or, if the office is closed or the person to be served 
has no office, leaving it at the person's dwelling or usual place of 
abode with some person of suitable age and discretion then residing 
therein;
    (3) Mailing the papers through the U.S. Postal Service by First 
Cass Mail, Registered Mail, Certified Mail or Express Mail delivery 
addressed to the person; or
    (4) Sending the papers through a third-party commercial courier 
service or express delivery service.
    (d) Service of certain papers by the Bureau. Service of the notice 
of charges, recommended decisions and final orders of the Bureau shall 
be effected as follows:
    (1) Service of a notice of charges. (i) To individuals. Notice of a 
proceeding shall be made to an individual by delivering a copy of the 
notice of charges to the individual or to an agent authorized by 
appointment or by law to receive such notice. Delivery, for purposes of 
this paragraph, means handing a copy of the notice to the individual; 
or leaving a copy at the individual's office with a clerk or other 
person in charge thereof; or leaving a copy at the individual's 
dwelling house or usual place of abode with some person of suitable age 
and discretion then residing therein; or sending a copy of the notice 
addressed to the individual through the U.S. Postal Service by 
Registered Mail, Certified Mail or Express Mail delivery, or by third-
party commercial carrier, for overnight delivery and obtaining a 
confirmation of receipt.
    (ii) To corporations or entities. Notice of a proceeding shall be 
made to a person other than a natural person by delivering a copy of 
the notice of charges to an officer, managing or general agent, or any 
other agent authorized by appointment or law to receive such notice, by 
any method specified in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section.
    (iii) Upon persons registered with the Bureau. In addition to any 
other method of service specified in paragraph (d)(1)(i) or (ii) of 
this section, notice may be made to a person currently registered with 
the Bureau by sending a copy of the notice of charges addressed to the 
most recent business address shown on the person's registration form by 
U.S. Postal Service certified, registered or Express Mail and obtaining 
a confirmation of receipt or attempted delivery.
    (iv) Upon persons in a foreign country. Notice of a proceeding to a 
person in a foreign country may be made by any method specified in 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section, or by any other method reasonably 
calculated to give notice, provided that the method of service used is 
not prohibited by the law of the foreign country.
    (v) Record of service. The Bureau shall maintain and file a record 
of service of the notice of charges on parties, identifying the party 
given notice, the method of service, the date of service, the address 
to which service was made, and the person who made service. If service 
is made in person, the certificate of service shall state, if

[[Page 39088]]

available, the name of the individual to whom the notice of charges was 
given. If service is made by U.S. Postal Service Registered Mail, 
Certified Mail or Express Mail, the Bureau shall maintain the 
confirmation of receipt or attempted delivery. If service is made to an 
agent authorized by appointment to receive service, the certificate of 
service shall be accompanied by evidence of the appointment.
    (vi) Waiver of service. In lieu of service as set forth in 
paragraph (d)(1)(i) or (d)(1)(ii) of this section, the party may be 
provided a copy of the notice of charges by First Class Mail or other 
reliable means if a waiver of service is obtained from the party and 
placed in the record.
    (2) Service of recommended decisions and final orders. Recommended 
decisions issued by the hearing officer and final orders issued by the 
Bureau shall be served promptly on each party pursuant to any method of 
service authorized under paragraph (d)(1) of this section. Such 
decisions and orders may also be served by electronic transmission if 
the party to be served has agreed to accept such service in writing, 
signed by the party or its counsel, and has provided the Bureau with 
information concerning the manner of electronic transmission.

Sec.  1081.114  Construction of time limits.

    (a) General rule. In computing any period of time prescribed by 
this part, by order of the Director or a hearing officer, or by any 
applicable statute, the date of the act or event that commences the 
designated period of time is not included. The last day so computed is 
included unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday as set 
forth in 5 U.S.C. 6103(a). When the last day is a Saturday, Sunday, or 
Federal holiday, the period runs until the end of the next day that is 
not a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday. Intermediate Saturdays, 
Sundays, and Federal holidays are included in the computation of time, 
except when the time period within which an act is to be performed is 
ten days or less, not including any additional time allowed for in 
paragraph (c) of this section.
    (b) When papers are deemed to be filed or served. Filing and 
service are deemed to be effective:
    (1) In the case of personal service or same day commercial courier 
delivery, upon actual receipt by person served;
    (2) In the case of overnight commercial delivery service, Express 
Mail delivery, First Class Mail, Registered Mail, or Certified Mail, 
upon deposit in or delivery to an appropriate point of collection; or
    (3) In the case of electronic transmission, upon transmission.
    (c) Calculation of time for service and filing of responsive 
papers. Whenever a time limit is measured by a prescribed period from 
the service of any notice or paper, the applicable time limits are 
calculated as follows:
    (1) If service is made by First Class Mail, Registered Mail, or 
Certified Mail, add three calendar days to the prescribed period;
    (2) If service is made by Express Mail or overnight delivery 
service, add one calendar day to the prescribed period; or
    (3) If service is made by electronic transmission, add one calendar 
day to the prescribed period.

Sec.  1081.115  Change of time limits.

    (a) Except as otherwise provided by law, the hearing officer may, 
in any proceeding before him or her, for good cause shown, extend the 
time limits prescribed by this part or by any notice or order issued in 
the proceedings. After appeal to the Director pursuant to Sec.  
1081.402, the Director may grant extensions of the time limits for good 
cause shown. Extensions may be granted on the motion of a party after 
notice and opportunity to respond is afforded all non-moving parties or 
on the Director's or the hearing officer's own motion, as appropriate.
    (b) Considerations in determining whether to extend time limits or 
grant postponements, adjournments and extensions. In considering all 
motions for extensions of time filed pursuant to paragraph (a) of this 
section, the Director or the hearing officer should adhere to a policy 
of strongly disfavoring granting such motions, except in circumstances 
where the moving party makes a strong showing that the denial of the 
motion would substantially prejudice its case. In determining whether 
to grant any motions, the Director or hearing officer, as appropriate, 
shall consider, in addition to any other relevant factors:
    (1) The length of the proceeding to date;
    (2) The number of postponements, adjournments or extensions already 
granted;
    (3) The stage of the proceedings at the time of the motion;
    (4) The impact of the motion on the hearing officer's ability to 
complete the proceeding in the time specified by Sec.  1081.400(a); and
    (5) Any other matters as justice may require.
    (c) Time limit. Postponements, adjournments, or extensions of time 
for filing papers shall not exceed 21 days unless the Director or the 
hearing officer, as appropriate, states on the record or sets forth in 
a written order the reasons why a longer period of time is necessary.
    (d) No effect on deadline for recommended decision. The granting of 
any extension of time pursuant to this section shall not affect any 
deadlines set pursuant to Sec.  1081.400(a).

Sec.  1081.116  Witness fees and expenses.

    Respondents shall pay to witnesses subpoenaed for testimony or 
depositions on their behalf the same fees for attendance and mileage as 
are paid in the United States district courts in proceedings in which 
the United States is a party, provided that, in the case of a 
deposition subpoena addressed to a party, no witness fees or mileage 
need be paid. Fees for witnesses shall be tendered in advance by any 
respondent requesting the issuance of a subpoena, except that fees and 
mileage need not be tendered in advance where the Bureau is the party 
requesting the subpoena. The Bureau shall pay to witnesses subpoenaed 
for testimony or depositions on behalf of the Office of Enforcement the 
same fees for attendance and mileage as are paid in the United States 
district courts in proceedings in which the United States is a party, 
but the Bureau need not tender such fees in advance.

Sec.  1081.117  Bureau's right to conduct examination, collect 
information.

    Nothing contained in this part limits in any manner the right of 
the Bureau to conduct any examination, inspection, or visitation of any 
person, to conduct or continue any form of investigation authorized by 
law, to collect information in order to monitor the market for risks to 
consumers in the offering or provision of consumer financial products 
or services, or to otherwise gather information in accordance with law.

Sec.  1081.118  Collateral attacks on adjudication proceedings.

    Unless a court of competent jurisdiction, or the Director for good 
cause, so directs, if an interlocutory appeal or collateral attack is 
brought in any court concerning all or any part of an adjudication 
proceeding, the challenged adjudication proceeding shall continue 
without regard to the pendency of that court proceeding. No default or 
other failure to act as directed in the adjudication proceeding within 
the times prescribed in this part shall be excused based on the 
pendency before any court of any interlocutory appeal or collateral 
attack.

[[Page 39089]]

Sec.  1081.119  Confidential information; protective orders.

    (a) Rights of third parties. Any party that intends to disclose 
information obtained from a third party that is subject to a claim of 
confidentiality must provide notice to the third party at least ten 
days prior to the proposed disclosure of such information. In response 
to such notice, the third party may consent to the disclosure of such 
information, which may be conditioned on the entry of an appropriate 
protective order, or may intervene in the proceeding for the limited 
purpose of moving for a protective order pursuant to this section. Any 
written filing by a party that contains such confidential information 
must be accompanied by a certification that proper notice was provided. 
The act of making any oral motion or oral argument by any counsel or 
party which contains such confidential information constitutes a 
certification that proper notice was provided. A third party wishing to 
intervene for purposes of protecting its confidential information may 
file a single motion, in conformity with all applicable rules, setting 
forth the basis of both the third party's right to intervene and the 
basis for the protective order, in conformity with paragraph (b).
    (b) Procedure. In any adjudication proceeding, a party, including a 
third party who has intervened pursuant to paragraph (a) of this 
section, may file a motion requesting a protective order to limit from 
disclosure to other parties or to the public documents or testimony 
that contain confidential information. The motion should include a 
general summary or extract of the documents or testimony without 
revealing confidential details, and a copy of the proposed protective 
order. A motion for confidential treatment of documents should be filed 
in accordance with Sec.  1081.112(f), and all other applicable rules.
    (c) Basis for issuance. Documents and testimony introduced in a 
public hearing, or filed in connection with an adjudication proceeding, 
are presumed to be public. A motion for a protective order shall be 
granted:
    (1) Upon a finding that public disclosure will likely result in a 
clearly defined, serious injury to the party or third party requesting 
confidential treatment;
    (2) After finding that the material constitutes sensitive personal 
information, as defined in Sec.  1081.112(e);
    (3) If all parties, including third parties to the extent their 
information is at issue, stipulate to the entry of a protective order; 
or
    (4) Where public disclosure is prohibited by law.
    (d) Requests for additional information supporting confidentiality. 
The hearing officer may require a movant under paragraph (b) of this 
section to furnish in writing additional information with respect to 
the grounds for confidentiality. Failure to supply the information so 
requested within five days from the date of receipt by the movant of a 
notice of the information required shall be deemed a waiver of the 
objection to public disclosure of that portion of the documents to 
which the additional information relates, unless the hearing officer 
shall otherwise order for good cause shown at or before the expiration 
of such five-day period.
    (e) Confidentiality of documents pending decision. Pending a 
determination of a motion under this section, the documents as to which 
confidential treatment is sought and any other documents that would 
reveal the confidential information in those documents shall be 
maintained under seal and shall be disclosed only in accordance with 
orders of the hearing officer. Any order issued in connection with a 
motion under this section shall be public unless the order would 
disclose information as to which a protective order has been granted, 
in which case that portion of the order that would reveal the protected 
information shall be nonpublic.

Sec.  1081.120  Settlement.

    (a) Availability. Any respondent in an adjudication proceeding 
instituted under this part, may, at any time, propose in writing an 
offer of settlement.
    (b) Procedure. An offer of settlement shall state that it is made 
pursuant to this section; shall recite or incorporate as a part of the 
offer the provisions of paragraphs (c)(3) and (4) of this section; 
shall be signed by the person making the offer, not by counsel; and 
shall be submitted to enforcement counsel.
    (c) Consideration of offers of settlement. (1) Offers of settlement 
shall be considered when time, the nature of the proceedings, and the 
public interest permit.
    (2) Any settlement offer shall be presented to the Director with a 
recommendation, except that, if the recommendation is unfavorable, the 
offer shall not be presented to the Director unless the person making 
the offer so requests.
    (3) By submitting an offer of settlement, the person making the 
offer waives, subject to acceptance of the offer:
    (i) All hearings pursuant to the statutory provisions under which 
the proceeding has been instituted;
    (ii) The filing of proposed findings of fact and conclusions of 
law;
    (iii) Proceedings before, and a recommended decision by, a hearing 
officer;
    (iv) All post-hearing procedures;
    (v) Judicial review by any court; and
    (vi) Any objection to the jurisdiction of the Bureau under section 
1053 of the Dodd-Frank Act.
    (4) By submitting an offer of settlement the person further waives:
    (i) Such provisions of this part or other requirements of law as 
may be construed to prevent any Bureau employee from participating in 
the preparation of, or advising the Director as to, any order, opinion, 
finding of fact, or conclusion of law to be entered pursuant to the 
offer; and
    (ii) Any right to claim bias or prejudgment by the Director based 
on the consideration of or discussions concerning settlement of all or 
any part of the proceeding.
    (5) If the Director rejects the offer of settlement, the person 
making the offer shall be notified of the Director's action and the 
offer of settlement shall be deemed withdrawn. The rejected offer shall 
not constitute a part of the record in any proceeding against the 
person making the offer, provided, however, that rejection of an offer 
of settlement does not affect the continued validity of waivers 
pursuant to paragraph (c)(4) of this section with respect to any 
discussions concerning the rejected offer of settlement.
    (d) Consent orders. If the Director accepts the offer of 
settlement, all terms and conditions of a settlement entered into under 
this section shall be recorded in a written stipulation signed by all 
settling parties, and a consent order concluding the proceeding. The 
stipulation and consent order shall be filed pursuant to Sec.  
1081.111, and shall recite or incorporate as a part of the stipulation 
the provisions of paragraphs (c)(3) and (4) of this section. The 
Director will then issue a consent order, which shall be a final order 
concluding the proceeding.

Sec.  1081.121  Cooperation with other agencies.

    It is the policy of the Bureau to cooperate with other governmental 
agencies to avoid unnecessary overlap or duplication of regulatory 
functions.

[[Page 39090]]

Subpart B--Initiation of Proceedings and Prehearing Rules

Sec.  1081.200  Commencement of proceeding and contents of notice of 
charges.

    (a) Commencement of proceeding. A proceeding governed by this part 
is commenced by filing of a notice of charges by the Bureau in 
accordance with Sec.  1081.111. The notice of charges must be served by 
the Bureau upon the respondent in accordance with Sec.  1081.113(d)(1).
    (b) Contents of a notice of charges. The notice of charges must set 
forth:
    (1) The legal authority for the proceeding and for the Bureau's 
jurisdiction over the proceeding;
    (2) A statement of the matters of fact and law showing that the 
Bureau is entitled to relief;
    (3) A proposed order or prayer for an order granting the requested 
relief;
    (4) The time and place of the hearing as required by law or 
regulation;
    (5) The time within which to file an answer as required by law or 
regulation;
    (6) That the answer shall be filed and served in accordance with 
subpart A of this part; and
    (7) The docket number for the adjudication proceeding.
    (c) Publication of notice of charges. Unless otherwise ordered by 
the Bureau, the notice of charges shall be given general circulation by 
release to the public, by publication on the Bureau's Web site and, 
where directed by the hearing officer or the Director, by publication 
in the Federal Register. The Bureau may publish any notice of charges 
after ten days from the date of service except if there is a pending 
motion for a protective order filed pursuant to Sec.  1081.119.
    (d) Commencement of proceeding through a consent order. 
Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, where the parties agree 
to settlement before the filing of a notice of charges, a proceeding 
may be commenced by filing a stipulation and consent order. The 
stipulation and consent order shall be filed pursuant to Sec.  
1081.111. The stipulation shall contain the information required under 
Sec.  1081.120(d), and the consent order shall contain the information 
required under paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(2) of this section. The 
proceeding shall be concluded upon issuance of the consent order by the 
Director.
    (e) Voluntary dismissal. (1) Without an order. The Bureau may 
voluntarily dismiss an adjudication proceeding without an order entered 
by a hearing officer by filing either:
    (i) A notice of dismissal before the respondent(s) serves an 
answer; or
    (ii) A stipulation of dismissal signed by all parties who have 
appeared.
    (2) Effect. Unless the notice or stipulation states otherwise, the 
dismissal is without prejudice, and does not operate as an adjudication 
on the merits.

Sec.  1081.201.  Answer and disclosure statement and notification of 
financial interest.

    (a) Time to file answer. Within 14 days of service of the notice of 
charges, respondent shall file an answer as designated in the notice of 
charges.
    (b) Content of answer. An answer must specifically respond to each 
paragraph or allegation of fact contained in the notice of charges and 
must admit, deny, or state that the party lacks sufficient information 
to admit or deny each allegation of fact. A statement of lack of 
information has the effect of a denial. Denials must fairly meet the 
substance of each allegation of fact denied; general denials are not 
permitted. When a respondent denies part of an allegation, that part 
must be denied and the remainder specifically admitted. Any allegation 
of fact in the notice of charges which is not denied in the answer 
shall be deemed admitted for purposes of the proceeding. A respondent 
is not required to respond to the portion of a notice of charges that 
constitutes the prayer for relief or proposed order. The answer must 
set forth affirmative defenses, if any, asserted by the respondent.
    (c) If the allegations of the complaint are admitted. If the 
respondent elects not to contest the allegations of fact set forth in 
the notice of charges, the answer shall consist of a statement that the 
respondent admits all of the material allegations to be true. Such an 
answer shall constitute a waiver of hearings as to the facts alleged in 
the notice of charges, and together with the notice of charges will 
provide a record basis on which the hearing officer shall issue a 
recommended decision containing appropriate findings and conclusions 
and a proposed order disposing of the proceeding. In such an answer, 
the respondent may, however, reserve the right to submit proposed 
findings of fact and conclusions of law under Sec.  1081.305.
    (d) Default. (1) Failure of a respondent to file an answer within 
the time provided shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of the 
respondent's right to appear and contest the allegations of the notice 
of charges and to authorize the hearing officer, without further notice 
to the respondent, to find the facts to be as alleged in the notice of 
charges and to enter a recommended decision containing appropriate 
findings and conclusions. In such cases, respondent shall have no right 
to appeal pursuant to Sec.  1081.402, but must instead proceed pursuant 
to paragraph (d)(2) of this section.
    (2) A motion to set aside a default shall be made within a 
reasonable time, state the reasons for the failure to appear or defend, 
and specify the nature of the proposed defense in the proceeding. In 
order to prevent injustice and on such conditions as may be 
appropriate, the hearing officer, at any time prior to the filing of 
the recommended decision, or the Director, at any time, may for good 
cause shown set aside a default.
    (e) Disclosure statement and notification of financial interest. 
(1) Who must file; contents. A respondent, nongovernmental intervenor, 
or nongovernmental amicus must file a disclosure statement and 
notification of financial interest that:
    (i) Identifies any parent corporation, any publicly owned 
corporation owning ten percent or more of its stock, and any publicly 
owned corporation not a party to the proceeding that has a financial 
interest in the outcome of the proceeding and the nature of that 
interest; or
    (ii) States that there are no such corporations.
    (2) Time for filing; supplemental filing. A respondent, 
nongovernmental intervenor, or nongovernmental amicus must:
    (i) File the disclosure statement with its first appearance, 
pleading, motion, response, or other request addressed to the hearing 
officer or the Bureau; and
    (ii) Promptly file a supplemental statement if any required 
information changes.

Sec.  1081.202  Amended pleadings.

    (a) Amendments before the hearing. The notice of charges, answer, 
or any other pleading may be amended or supplemented only with the 
opposing party's written consent or leave of the hearing officer. The 
respondent must answer an amended notice of charges within the time 
remaining for the respondent's answer to the original notice of 
charges, or within ten days after service of the amended notice of 
charges, whichever is later, unless the hearing officer orders 
otherwise for good cause.
    (b) Amendments to conform to the evidence. When issues not raised 
in the notice of charges or answer are tried at the hearing by express 
or implied consent of the parties, they will be treated in all respects 
as if they had been raised in the notice of charges or answer, and no 
formal amendments are

[[Page 39091]]

required. If evidence is objected to at the hearing on the ground that 
it is not within the issues raised by the notice of charges or answer, 
the hearing officer may admit the evidence when admission is likely to 
assist in adjudicating the merits of the action and the objecting party 
fails to satisfy the hearing officer that the admission of such 
evidence would unfairly prejudice that party's action or defense upon 
the merits. The hearing officer may grant a continuance to enable the 
objecting party to meet such evidence.

Sec.  1081.203  Scheduling conference.

    (a) Meeting of the parties before scheduling conference. As early 
as practicable before the scheduling conference described in paragraph 
(b) of this section, counsel for the parties shall meet to discuss the 
nature and basis of their claims and defenses and the possibilities for 
a prompt settlement or resolution of the case. The parties shall also 
discuss and agree, if possible, on the matters set forth in paragraph 
(b) of this section.
    (b) Scheduling conference. Within 20 days of service of the notice 
of charges or such other time as the parties and hearing officer may 
agree, counsel for all parties shall appear before the hearing officer 
in person at a specified time and place or by telephone for the purpose 
of scheduling the course and conduct of the proceeding. This meeting or 
telephone conference is called a scheduling conference. At the 
scheduling conference, counsel for the parties shall be prepared to 
address:
    (1) Determination of the dates and location of the hearing, 
including, in proceedings under section 1053(b) of the Dodd-Frank Act, 
whether the hearing should commence later than 60 days after service of 
the notice of charges;
    (2) Simplification and clarification of the issues;
    (3) Amendments to pleadings;
    (4) Settlement of any or all issues;
    (5) Production of documents as set forth in Sec.  1081.206 and of 
witness statements as set forth in Sec.  1081.207, and prehearing 
production of documents in response to subpoenas duces tecum as set 
forth in Sec.  1081.208;
    (6) Whether or not the parties intend to move for summary 
disposition of any or all issues;
    (7) Whether the parties intend to seek the deposition of witnesses 
pursuant to Sec.  1081.209;
    (8) A schedule for the exchange of expert reports and the taking of 
expert depositions, if any; and
    (9) Such other matters as may aid in the orderly disposition of the 
proceeding.
    (c) Transcript. The hearing officer, in his or her discretion, may 
require that a scheduling conference be recorded by a court reporter. A 
transcript of the conference and any materials filed, including orders, 
becomes part of the record of the proceeding. A party may obtain a copy 
of the transcript at his or her expense.
    (d) Scheduling order. At or within five days following the 
conclusion of the scheduling conference, the hearing officer shall 
serve on each party an order setting forth the date and location of the 
hearing and any agreements reached and any procedural determinations 
made.
    (e) Failure to appear; default. Any person who is named in a notice 
of charges as a person against whom findings may be made or sanctions 
imposed and who fails to appear, in person or through counsel, at a 
scheduling conference of which he or she has been duly notified may be 
deemed in default pursuant to Sec.  1081.201(d)(1). A party may make a 
motion to set aside a default pursuant to Sec.  1081.201(d)(2).
    (f) Public access. The scheduling conference shall be public unless 
the hearing officer determines, based on the standard set forth in 
Sec.  1081.119(c), that the conference (or any part thereof) shall be 
closed to the public.

Sec.  1081.204  Consolidation and severance of actions.

    (a) Consolidation. (1) On the motion of any party, or on the 
hearing officer's own motion, the hearing officer may consolidate, for 
some or all purposes, any two or more proceedings, if each such 
proceeding involves or arises out of the same transaction, occurrence 
or series of transactions or occurrences, or involves at least one 
common respondent or a material common question of law or fact, unless 
such consolidation would cause unreasonable delay or injustice.
    (2) In the event of consolidation under paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section, appropriate adjustment to the prehearing schedule may be made 
to avoid unnecessary expense, inconvenience, or delay.
    (b) Severance. The hearing officer may, upon the motion of any 
party, sever the proceeding for separate resolution of the matter as to 
any respondent only if the hearing officer finds that:
    (1) Undue prejudice or injustice to the moving party would result 
from not severing the proceeding; and
    (2) Such undue prejudice or injustice would outweigh the interests 
of judicial economy and expedition in the complete and final resolution 
of the proceeding.

Sec.  1081.205  Non-dispositive motions.

    (a) Scope. This section applies to all motions except motions to 
dismiss and motions for summary disposition. A non-dispositive motion 
filed pursuant to another section of this part shall comply with any 
specific requirements of that section and this section to the extent 
these requirements are not inconsistent.
    (b) In writing. (1) Unless made during a hearing or conference, an 
application or request for an order or ruling must be made by written 
motion.
    (2) All written motions must state with particularity the relief 
sought and must be accompanied by a proposed order.
    (3) No oral argument may be held on written motions except as 
otherwise directed by the hearing officer. Written memoranda, briefs, 
affidavits or other relevant material or documents may be filed in 
support of or in opposition to a motion.
    (c) Oral motions. The Director or the hearing officer, as 
appropriate, may order that an oral motion be submitted in writing.
    (d) Responses and replies. (1) Except as otherwise provided herein, 
within ten days after service of any written motion, or within such 
other period of time as may be established by the hearing officer or 
the Director, as appropriate, any party may file a written response to 
a motion. The hearing officer shall not rule on any oral or written 
motion before each party has had an opportunity to file a response.
    (2) Reply briefs, if any, may be filed within three days after 
service of the response.
    (3) The failure of a party to oppose a written motion or an oral 
motion made on the record is deemed consent by that party to the entry 
of an order substantially in the form of the order accompanying the 
motion.
    (e) Length limitations. No motion subject to this section (together 
with the brief in support of the motion) or brief in response to the 
motion shall exceed 15 pages in length, exclusive of pages containing 
the table of contents, table of authorities, and any addendum that 
consists solely of copies of applicable cases, pertinent legislative 
provisions or rules, and exhibits. No reply brief shall exceed six 
pages in length, exclusive of pages containing the table of contents, 
table of authorities, and any addendum that consists solely of copies 
of applicable cases, pertinent legislative

[[Page 39092]]

provisions or rules, and exhibits. Motions for leave to file motions 
and briefs in excess of these limitations are disfavored.
    (f) Meet and confer requirements. Each motion filed under this 
section shall be accompanied by a signed statement representing that 
counsel for the moving party has conferred or made a good faith effort 
to confer with opposing counsel in a good faith effort to resolve by 
agreement the issues raised by the motion and has been unable to reach 
such an agreement. If some of the matters in controversy have been 
resolved by agreement, the statement shall specify the matters so 
resolved and the matters remaining unresolved.
    (g) Ruling on non-dispositive motions. Unless otherwise provided by 
a relevant section of this part, a hearing officer shall rule on non-
dispositive motions. Such ruling shall be issued within 14 days after 
the expiration of the time period allowed for the filing of all motion 
papers authorized by this section. The Director, for good cause, may 
extend the time allowed for a ruling.
    (h) Proceedings not stayed. A motion under consideration by the 
Director or the hearing officer shall not stay proceedings before the 
hearing officer unless the Director or the hearing officer, as 
appropriate, so orders.
    (i) Dilatory motions. Frivolous, dilatory, or repetitive motions 
are prohibited. The filing of such motions may form the basis for 
sanctions.

Sec.  1081.206  Availability of documents for inspection and copying.

    For purposes of this section, the term documents shall include any 
book, document, record, report, memorandum, paper, communication, 
tabulation, chart, logs, electronic files, or other data or data 
compilations stored in any medium.
    (a) Documents to be available for inspection and copying. (1) 
Unless otherwise provided by this section, or by order of the hearing 
officer, the Office of Enforcement shall make available for inspection 
and copying by any respondent documents obtained by the Office of 
Enforcement prior to the institution of proceedings, from persons not 
employed by the Bureau, in connection with the investigation leading to 
the institution of proceedings. Such documents shall include:
    (i) Any documents turned over in response to civil investigative 
demands or other written requests to provide documents or to be 
interviewed issued by the Office of Enforcement;
    (ii) All transcripts and transcript exhibits; and
    (iii) Any other documents obtained from persons not employed by the 
Bureau.
    (2) In addition, the Office of Enforcement shall make available for 
inspection and copying by any respondent:
    (i) Each civil investigative demand or other written request to 
provide documents or to be interviewed issued by the Office of 
Enforcement in connection with the investigation leading to the 
institution of proceedings; and
    (ii) Any final examination or inspection reports prepared by any 
other Office of the Bureau if the Office of Enforcement either intends 
to introduce any such report into evidence or to use any such report to 
refresh the recollection of, or impeach, any witness.
    (3) Nothing in paragraph (a) of this section shall limit the right 
of the Office of Enforcement to make available any other document, or 
shall limit the right of a respondent to seek access to or production 
pursuant to subpoena of any other document, or shall limit the 
authority of the hearing officer to order the production of any 
document pursuant to subpoena.
    (4) Nothing in paragraph (a) of this section shall require the 
Office of Enforcement to produce a final examination or inspection 
report prepared by any other Office of the Bureau or any other 
government agency to a respondent who is not the subject of that 
report.
    (b) Documents that may be withheld. (1) The Office of Enforcement 
may withhold a document if:
    (i) The document is privileged;
    (ii) The document is an internal memorandum, note or writing 
prepared by a person employed by the Bureau or another government 
agency, other than an examination or supervision report as specified in 
paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section, or would otherwise be subject to 
the work product doctrine and will not be offered in evidence;
    (iii) The document was obtained from a domestic or foreign 
governmental entity and is either not relevant to the resolution of the 
proceeding or was provided on condition that the information not be 
disclosed;
    (iv) The document would disclose the identity of a confidential 
source;
    (v) Applicable law prohibits the disclosure of the document; or
    (vi) The hearing officer grants leave to withhold a document or 
category of documents as not relevant to the subject matter of the 
proceeding or otherwise, for good cause shown.
    (2) Nothing in paragraph (b)(1) of this section authorizes the 
Office of Enforcement in connection with an adjudication proceeding to 
withhold material exculpatory evidence in the possession of the Office 
that would otherwise be required to be produced pursuant to paragraph 
(a) of this section.
    (c) Withheld document list. The hearing officer may require the 
Office of Enforcement to produce a list of documents or categories of 
documents withheld pursuant to paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (v) of this 
section or to submit to the hearing officer any document withheld, 
except for any documents that are being withheld pursuant to section 
(b)(1)(iii), in which case the Office of Enforcement shall inform the 
other parties of the fact that such documents are being withheld, but 
no further disclosures regarding those documents shall be required. The 
hearing officer may determine whether any withheld document should be 
made available for inspection and copying. When similar documents are 
withheld pursuant to paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (v) of this section, 
those documents may be identified by category instead of by individual 
document. The hearing officer retains discretion to determine when an 
identification by category is insufficient.
    (d) Timing of inspection and copying. Unless otherwise ordered by 
the hearing officer, the Office of Enforcement shall commence making 
documents available to a respondent for inspection and copying pursuant 
to this section no later than seven days after service of the notice of 
charges.
    (e) Place of inspection and copying. Documents subject to 
inspection and copying pursuant to this section shall be made available 
to the respondent for inspection and copying at the Bureau office where 
they are ordinarily maintained, or at such other place as the parties, 
in writing, may agree. A respondent shall not be given custody of the 
documents or leave to remove the documents from the Bureau's offices 
pursuant to the requirements of this section other than by written 
agreement of the Office of Enforcement. Such agreement shall specify 
the documents subject to the agreement, the date they shall be returned 
and such other terms or conditions as are appropriate to provide for 
the safekeeping of the documents.
    (f) Copying costs and procedures. The respondent may obtain a 
photocopy of any documents made available for inspection or, at the 
discretion of the Office of Enforcement, electronic copies of such 
documents. The respondent shall be responsible for the cost of 
photocopying. Unless otherwise ordered, charges for copies made by the

[[Page 39093]]

Office of Enforcement at the request of the respondent will be at the 
rate charged pursuant to part 1070. The respondent shall be given 
access to the documents at the Bureau's offices or such other place as 
the parties may agree during normal business hours for copying of 
documents at the respondent's expense.
    (g) Duty to supplement. If the Office of Enforcement acquires 
information that it intends to rely upon at a hearing after making its 
disclosures under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the Office of 
Enforcement shall supplement its disclosures to include such 
information.
    (h) Failure to make documents available--harmless error. In the 
event that a document required to be made available to a respondent 
pursuant to this section is not made available by the Office of 
Enforcement, no rehearing or redecision of a proceeding already heard 
or decided shall be required unless the respondent establishes that the 
failure to make the document available was not harmless error.
    (i) Disclosure of privileged or protected information or 
communications; scope of waiver; obligations of receiving party. (1) 
The disclosure of privileged or protected information or communications 
by any party during an adjudication proceeding shall not operate as a 
waiver if:
    (i) The disclosure was inadvertent;
    (ii) The holder of the privilege or protection took reasonable 
steps to prevent disclosure; and
    (iii) The holder promptly took reasonable steps to rectify the 
error, including notifying any party that received the information or 
communication of the claim and the basis for it.
    (2) After being notified, the receiving party must promptly return, 
sequester, or destroy the specified information and any copies it has; 
must not use or disclose the information until the claim is resolved; 
must take reasonable steps to retrieve the information if the party 
disclosed it before being notified; and may promptly present the 
information to the hearing officer under seal for a determination of 
the claim. The producing party must preserve the information until the 
claim is resolved.
    (3) The disclosure of privileged or protected information or 
communications by any party during an adjudication proceeding shall 
waive the privilege or protection, with respect to other parties to the 
proceeding, as to undisclosed information or communications only if:
    (i) The waiver is intentional;
    (ii) The disclosed and undisclosed information or communications 
concern the same subject matter; and
    (iii) They ought in fairness to be considered together.

Sec.  1081.207  Production of witness statements.

    (a) Availability. Any respondent may move that the Office of 
Enforcement produce for inspection and copying any statement of any 
person called or to be called as a witness by the Office of Enforcement 
that pertains, or is expected to pertain, to his or her direct 
testimony and that would be required to be produced pursuant to the 
Jencks Act, 18 U.S.C. 3500, if the adjudication proceeding were a 
criminal proceeding. For purposes of this section, the term 
``statement'' shall have the meaning set forth in 18 U.S.C. 3500(e). 
Such production shall be made at a time and place fixed by the hearing 
officer and shall be made available to any party, provided, however, 
that the production shall be made under conditions intended to preserve 
the items to be inspected or copied.
    (b) Failure to produce--harmless error. In the event that a 
statement required to be made available to a respondent pursuant to 
this section is not made available by the Office of Enforcement, no 
rehearing or redecision of a proceeding already heard or decided shall 
be required unless the respondent establishes that the failure to make 
the statement available was not harmless error.

Sec.  1081.208  Subpoenas.

    (a) Availability. In connection with any hearing ordered by the 
hearing officer, a party may request the issuance of one or more 
subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses at the 
designated time and place of the hearing, or the production of 
documentary or other tangible evidence returnable at any designated 
time or place.
    (b) Procedure. Unless made on the record at a hearing, requests for 
issuance of a subpoena shall be made in writing, and filed and served 
on each party pursuant to subpart A of this part. The request must 
contain a proposed subpoena and a brief statement showing the general 
relevance and reasonableness of the scope of testimony or documents 
sought.
    (c) Signing may be delegated. A hearing officer may authorize 
issuance of a subpoena, and may delegate the manual signing of the 
subpoena to any other person.
    (d) Standards for issuance. The hearing officer shall promptly 
issue any subpoena requested pursuant to this section. However, where 
it appears to the hearing officer that the subpoena sought may be 
unreasonable, oppressive, excessive in scope, or unduly burdensome, he 
or she may, in his or her discretion, as a condition precedent to the 
issuance of the subpoena, require the person seeking the subpoena to 
show further the general relevance and reasonable scope of the 
testimony or other evidence sought. If after consideration of all the 
circumstances, the hearing officer determines that the subpoena or any 
of its terms is unreasonable, oppressive, excessive in scope, or unduly 
burdensome, he or she may refuse to issue the subpoena, or issue it 
only upon such conditions as fairness requires. In making the foregoing 
determination, the hearing officer may inquire of the other 
participants whether they will stipulate to the facts sought to be 
proved.
    (e) Service. Upon issuance by the hearing officer, the party making 
the request shall serve the subpoena on the person named in the 
subpoena and on each party in accordance with Sec.  1081.113(c). 
Subpoenas may be served in any State, territory, possession of the 
United States, or the District of Columbia, on any person or company 
doing business in any State, territory, possession of the United 
States, or the District of Columbia, or as otherwise permitted by law.
    (f) Tender of fees required. When a subpoena compelling the 
attendance of a person at a hearing is issued at the request of anyone 
other than an officer or agency of the United States, service is valid 
only if the subpoena is accompanied by a tender to the subpoenaed 
person of the fees for one day's attendance and mileage specified by 
Sec.  1081.116.
    (g) Production of documentary material. Production of documentary 
material in response to a subpoena shall be made under a sworn 
certificate, in such form as the subpoena designates, by the person to 
whom the subpoena is directed or, if not a natural person, by any 
person having knowledge of the facts and circumstances relating to such 
production, to the effect that all of the documentary material required 
by the subpoena and in the possession, custody, or control of the 
person to whom the subpoena is directed has been produced and made 
available to the custodian.
    (h) Motion to quash or modify. (1) Procedure. Any person to whom a 
subpoena is directed, or who is an owner, creator, or the subject of 
the documents that are to be produced

[[Page 39094]]

pursuant to a subpoena, or any party may, prior to the time specified 
therein for compliance, but in no event more than ten days after the 
date of service of such subpoena, move that the subpoena be quashed or 
modified. Such motion shall be filed and served on all parties pursuant 
to subpart A of this part. Notwithstanding Sec.  1081.205, the party on 
whose behalf the subpoena was issued or enforcement counsel may, within 
five days of service of the motion, file a response to the motion. 
Reply briefs are not permitted unless requested by the hearing officer. 
Filing a motion to modify a subpoena does not stay the movant's 
obligation to comply with those portions of the subpoena that the 
person has not sought to modify.
    (2) Standards governing motion to quash or modify. If compliance 
with the subpoena would be unreasonable, oppressive, or unduly 
burdensome, the hearing officer shall quash or modify the subpoena, or 
may order return of the subpoena only upon specified conditions. These 
conditions may include but are not limited to a requirement that the 
party on whose behalf the subpoena was issued shall make reasonable 
compensation to the person to whom the subpoena was addressed for the 
cost of copying or transporting evidence to the place for return of the 
subpoena.
    (i) Enforcing subpoenas. If a subpoenaed person fails to comply 
with any subpoena issued pursuant to this section or any order of the 
hearing officer which directs compliance with all or any portion of a 
subpoena, the Bureau's General Counsel may, on its own motion or at the 
request of the party on whose behalf the subpoena was issued, apply to 
an appropriate United States district court, in the name of the Bureau 
but on relation of such party, for an order requiring compliance with 
so much of the subpoena as the hearing officer has not quashed or 
modified, unless, in the judgment of the General Counsel, the 
enforcement of such subpoena would be inconsistent with law and the 
policies of Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act. Failure to request that the 
Bureau's General Counsel seek enforcement of a subpoena constitutes a 
waiver of any claim of prejudice predicated upon the unavailability of 
the testimony or evidence sought.

Sec.  1081.209  Deposition of witness unavailable for hearing.

    (a) General rules. (1) If a witness will not be available for the 
hearing, a party desiring to preserve that witness's testimony for the 
record may request in accordance with the procedures set forth in this 
section that the hearing officer issue a subpoena, including a subpoena 
duces tecum, requiring the attendance of the witness at a deposition. 
The hearing officer may issue a deposition subpoena under this section 
upon a showing that:
    (i) The witness will be unable to attend or may be prevented from 
attending the hearing because of age, sickness, or infirmity, or will 
otherwise be unavailable;
    (ii) The witness's unavailability was not procured or caused by the 
subpoenaing party;
    (iii) The testimony is reasonably expected to be material; and
    (iv) Taking the deposition will not result in any undue burden to 
any other party and will not cause undue delay of the proceeding.
    (2) In addition to making a showing as required by paragraph (a)(1) 
of this section, the request for a deposition subpoena must contain a 
proposed deposition subpoena and a brief statement showing the general 
relevance and reasonableness of the scope of testimony and documents 
sought, and the time and place for taking the deposition. Any request 
to record the deposition by audio-visual means must be made in the 
request for a deposition subpoena.
    (3) Any requested deposition subpoena that sets forth a valid basis 
for its issuance must be promptly issued, unless the hearing officer on 
his or her own motion requires a written response or requires 
attendance at a conference concerning whether the requested subpoena 
should be issued. However, where it appears to the hearing officer that 
the deposition subpoena sought may be unreasonable, oppressive, 
excessive in scope, or unduly burdensome, he or she may, in his or her 
discretion, as a condition precedent to the issuance of the deposition 
subpoena, require the person seeking the deposition subpoena to show 
further the general relevance and reasonable scope of the testimony or 
other evidence sought. If after consideration of all the circumstances, 
the hearing officer determines that the deposition subpoena or any of 
its terms is unreasonable, oppressive, excessive in scope, or unduly 
burdensome, he or she may refuse to issue the deposition subpoena, or 
issue it only upon such conditions as fairness requires. In making the 
foregoing determination, the hearing officer may inquire of the other 
participants whether they will stipulate to the facts sought to be 
proved.
    (4) Unless the hearing officer orders otherwise, no deposition 
under this section shall be taken on fewer than 14 days' notice to the 
witness and all parties.
    (b) Procedure. Unless made on the record at a hearing, requests for 
issuance of a deposition subpoena shall be made in writing, and filed 
and served on each party pursuant to subpart A of this part.
    (c) Signing may be delegated. A hearing officer may authorize 
issuance of a deposition subpoena, and may delegate the manual signing 
of the deposition subpoena to any other person.
    (d) Service. Upon issuance by the hearing officer, the party making 
the request shall serve the subpoena on the person named in the 
subpoena and on each party in accordance with Sec.  1081.113(c). 
Deposition subpoenas may be served in any State, territory, possession 
of the United States, or the District of Columbia, on any person or 
company doing business in any State, territory, possession of the 
United States, or the District of Columbia, or as otherwise permitted 
by law.
    (e) Tender of fees required. When a subpoena compelling the 
attendance of a person at a deposition is issued at the request of 
anyone other than an officer or agency of the United States, service is 
valid only if the subpoena is accompanied by a tender to the subpoenaed 
person of the fees for one day's attendance and mileage specified by 
Sec.  1081.116.
    (f) Motion to quash or modify. (1) Procedure. Any person to whom a 
deposition subpoena is directed, or who is an owner, creator, or the 
subject of the documents that are to be produced pursuant to a 
deposition subpoena, or any party may, prior to the time specified 
therein for compliance, but in no event more than ten days after the 
date of service of such subpoena, move that the deposition subpoena be 
quashed or modified. Such motion must include a statement of the basis 
for the motion to quash or modify the deposition subpoena, and shall be 
filed and served on all parties pursuant to subpart A of this part. 
Notwithstanding Sec.  1081.205, the party on whose behalf the 
deposition subpoena was issued or enforcement counsel may, within five 
days of service of the motion, file a response to the motion. Reply 
briefs are not permitted unless requested by the hearing officer.
    (2) Standards governing motion to quash or modify. If compliance 
with the deposition subpoena would be unreasonable, oppressive or 
unduly burdensome, or the deposition subpoena does not meet the 
requirements set forth in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the hearing 
officer shall quash or modify the deposition

[[Page 39095]]

subpoena, or may order return of the deposition subpoena only upon 
specified conditions. These conditions may include but are not limited 
to a requirement that the party on whose behalf the deposition subpoena 
was issued shall make reasonable compensation to the person to whom the 
deposition subpoena was addressed for the cost of copying or 
transporting evidence to the place for return of the deposition 
subpoena.
    (g) Procedure upon deposition. (1) Depositions shall be taken 
before any person before whom a deposition may be taken pursuant to the 
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (the ``deposition officer'').
    (2) The witness being deposed may have an attorney present during 
the deposition.
    (3) Each witness testifying pursuant to a deposition subpoena must 
be duly sworn, and each party shall have the right to examine the 
witness. Objections to questions or documents must be in short form, 
stating the grounds for the objection. Objections to questions of 
evidence shall be noted by the deposition officer upon the deposition, 
but a deposition officer other than the hearing officer shall not have 
the power to decide on the competency, materiality, or relevance of 
evidence. Failure to object to questions or documents is not deemed a 
waiver except where the ground for the objection might have been 
avoided if the objection had been timely presented. All questions, 
answers, and objections must be recorded.
    (4) The deposition must be subscribed by the witness, unless the 
parties and the witness, by stipulation, have waived the signing, or 
the witness is ill, cannot be found, or has refused to sign. If the 
deposition is not subscribed by the witness, the court reporter taking 
the deposition shall certify that the transcript is a true and complete 
transcript of the deposition.
    (5) The original deposition transcript and exhibits shall be filed 
with the Office of Administrative Adjudication. The cost of the 
transcript shall be paid by the party requesting the deposition. A copy 
of the deposition shall be available to the deponent and each party for 
purchase at prescribed rates.
    (h) Enforcing subpoenas. Any party may move before the hearing 
officer for an order compelling the witness to answer any questions the 
witness has refused to answer or submit any evidence the witness has 
refused to submit during the deposition. If a subpoenaed person fails 
to comply with any order of the hearing officer which directs 
compliance with all or any portion of a deposition subpoena under this 
section, the Bureau's General Counsel may, on its own motion or at the 
request of the party on whose behalf the subpoena was issued, apply to 
an appropriate United States district court, in the name of the Bureau 
but on relation of such party, for an order requiring compliance with 
so much of the subpoena as the hearing officer has not quashed or 
modified, unless, in the judgment of the General Counsel, the 
enforcement of such subpoena would be inconsistent with law and the 
policies of Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act. Failure to request that the 
Bureau seek enforcement of a subpoena constitutes a waiver of any claim 
of prejudice predicated upon the unavailability of the testimony or 
evidence sought.

Sec.  1081.210  Expert discovery.

    (a) At a date set by the hearing officer at the scheduling 
conference, each party shall serve the other with a report prepared by 
each of its expert witnesses. Each party shall serve the other parties 
with a list of any rebuttal expert witnesses and a rebuttal report 
prepared by each such witness not later than 28 days after the deadline 
for service of expert reports, unless another date is set by the 
hearing officer. A rebuttal report shall be limited to rebuttal of 
matters set forth in the expert report for which it is offered in 
rebuttal. If material outside the scope of fair rebuttal is presented, 
a party may file a motion not later than five days after the deadline 
for service of rebuttal reports, seeking appropriate relief with the 
hearing officer, including striking all or part of the report, leave to 
submit a surrebuttal report by the party's own experts, or leave to 
call a surrebuttal witness and to submit a surrebuttal report by that 
witness.
    (b) No party may call an expert witness at the hearing unless he or 
she has been listed and has provided reports as required by this 
section, unless otherwise directed by the hearing officer at a 
scheduling conference. Each side will be limited to calling at the 
hearing five expert witnesses, including any rebuttal or surrebuttal 
expert witnesses. A party may file a motion seeking leave to call 
additional expert witnesses due to extraordinary circumstances.
    (c) Each report shall be signed by the expert and contain a 
complete statement of all opinions to be expressed and the basis and 
reasons therefore; the data, materials, or other information considered 
by the witness in forming the opinions; any exhibits to be used as a 
summary of or support for the opinions; the qualifications of the 
witness, including a list of all publications authored or co-authored 
by the witness within the preceding ten years; the compensation to be 
paid for the study and testimony; and a listing of any other cases in 
which the witness has testified or sought to testify as an expert at 
trial or hearing, or by deposition within the preceding four years. A 
rebuttal or surrebuttal report need not include any information already 
included in the initial report of the witness.
    (d) A party may depose any person who has been identified as an 
expert whose opinions may be presented at trial. Unless otherwise 
ordered by the hearing officer, a deposition of any expert witness 
shall be conducted after the disclosure of a report prepared by the 
witness in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, and at least 
seven days prior to the deadline for submission of rebuttal expert 
reports. A deposition of an expert witness shall be completed no later 
than 14 days before the hearing unless otherwise ordered by the hearing 
officer. No expert deposition shall exceed eight hours on the record, 
absent agreement of the parties or an order of the hearing officer for 
good cause shown. Expert depositions shall be conducted pursuant to the 
procedures set forth in Sec.  1081.209(g).
    (e) A party may not discover facts known or opinions held by an 
expert who has been retained or specifically employed by another party 
in anticipation of litigation or preparation for the hearing and who is 
not listed as a witness for the hearing. A party may not discover 
drafts of any report required by this section, regardless of the form 
in which the draft is recorded, or any communications between another 
party's attorney and any of that other party's experts, regardless of 
the form of the communications, except to the extent that the 
communications:
    (1) Relate to compensation for the testifying expert's study or 
testimony;
    (2) Identify facts or data that the other party's attorney provided 
and that the testifying expert considered in forming the opinions to be 
expressed; or
    (3) Identify assumptions that the other party's attorney provided 
and that the testifying expert relied on in forming the opinions to be 
expressed.
    (f) The hearing officer shall have the discretion to dispense with 
the requirement of expert discovery in appropriate cases.

Sec.  1081.211  Interlocutory review.

    (a) Availability. The Director may, at any time, direct that any 
matter be submitted to him or her for review. Subject to paragraph (c) 
of this section, the hearing officer may, on his or her own motion or 
on the motion of any

[[Page 39096]]

party, certify any matter for interlocutory review by the Director. 
This section is the exclusive remedy for review of a hearing officer's 
ruling or order prior to the Director's consideration of the entire 
proceeding.
    (b) Procedure. Any party's motion for certification of a ruling or 
order for interlocutory review shall be filed with the hearing officer 
within five days of service of the ruling or order, shall specify the 
ruling or order or parts thereof for which interlocutory review is 
sought, shall attach any other portions of the record on which the 
moving party relies, and shall otherwise comply with Sec.  1081.205. 
Notwithstanding Sec.  1081.205, any response to such a motion must be 
filed within three days of service of the motion. The hearing officer 
shall issue a ruling on the motion within five days of the deadline for 
filing a response.
    (c) Certification process. Unless the Director directs otherwise, a 
ruling or order may not be submitted to the Director for interlocutory 
review unless the hearing officer, upon the hearing officer's motion or 
upon the motion of a party, certifies the ruling or order in writing. 
The hearing officer shall not certify a ruling or order unless:
    (1) The ruling or order would compel testimony of Bureau officers 
or employees, or those from another governmental agency, or the 
production of documentary evidence in the custody of the Bureau or 
another governmental agency;
    (2) The ruling or order involves a motion for disqualification of 
the hearing officer pursuant to Sec.  1081.105(c)(2);
    (3) The ruling or order suspended or barred an individual from 
appearing before the Bureau pursuant to Sec.  1081.107(c); or
    (4) Upon motion by a party, the hearing officer is of the opinion 
that:
    (i) The ruling or order involves a controlling question of law as 
to which there is substantial ground for difference of opinion; and
    (ii) An immediate review of the ruling or order is likely to 
materially advance the completion of the proceeding or subsequent 
review will be an inadequate remedy.
    (d) Interlocutory review. A party whose motion for certification 
has been denied by the hearing officer may petition the Director for 
interlocutory review.
    (e) Director review. The Director shall determine whether or not to 
review a ruling or order certified under this section or the subject of 
a petition for interlocutory review. Interlocutory review is 
disfavored, and the Director will grant a petition to review a hearing 
officer's ruling or order prior to his or her consideration of a 
recommended decision only in extraordinary circumstances. The Director 
may decline to review a ruling or order certified by a hearing officer 
pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section or the petition of a party 
who has been denied certification if he or she determines that 
interlocutory review is not warranted or appropriate under the 
circumstances, in which case he or she may summarily deny the petition. 
If the Director determines to grant the review, he or she will review 
the matter and issue his or her ruling and order in an expeditious 
fashion, consistent with the Bureau's other responsibilities.
    (f) Proceedings not stayed. The filing of a motion requesting that 
the hearing officer certify any of his or her prior rulings or orders 
for interlocutory review or a petition for interlocutory review filed 
with the Director, and the grant of any such review, shall not stay 
proceedings before the hearing officer unless he or she, or the 
Director, shall so order. The Director will not consider a motion for a 
stay unless the motion shall have first been made to the hearing 
officer.

Sec.  1081.212  Dispositive motions.

    (a) Dispositive motions. This section governs the filing of motions 
to dismiss and motions for summary disposition. The filing of any such 
motion does not obviate a party's obligation to file an answer or take 
any other action required by this part or by an order of the hearing 
officer, unless expressly so provided by the hearing officer.
    (b) Motions to dismiss. A respondent may file a motion to dismiss 
asserting that, even assuming the truth of the facts alleged in the 
notice of charges, it is entitled to dismissal as a matter of law.
    (c) Motion for summary disposition. A party may make a motion for 
summary disposition asserting that the undisputed pleaded facts, 
admissions, affidavits, stipulations, documentary evidence, matters as 
to which official notice may be taken, and any other evidentiary 
materials properly submitted in connection with a motion for summary 
disposition show that:
    (1) There is no genuine issue as to any material fact; and
    (2) The moving party is entitled to a decision in its favor as a 
matter of law.
    (d) Filing of motions for summary disposition and responses. (1) 
After a respondent's answer has been filed and documents have been made 
available to the respondent for inspection and copying pursuant to 
Sec.  1081.206, any party may move for summary disposition in its favor 
of all or any part of the proceeding.
    (2) A motion for summary disposition must be accompanied by a 
statement of the material facts as to which the moving party contends 
there is no genuine issue. Such motion must be supported by documentary 
evidence, which may take the form of admissions in pleadings, 
stipulations, depositions, investigatory depositions, transcripts, 
affidavits and any other evidentiary materials that the moving party 
contends support his or her position. The motion must also be 
accompanied by a brief containing the points and authorities in support 
of the contention of the moving party. Any party opposing a motion for 
summary disposition must file a statement setting forth those material 
facts as to which he or she contends a genuine dispute exists. Such 
opposition must be supported by evidence of the same type as may be 
submitted in support of a motion for summary disposition and a brief 
containing the points and authorities in support of the contention that 
summary disposition would be inappropriate.
    (3) Any affidavit or declaration submitted in support of or in 
opposition to a motion for summary disposition shall set forth such 
facts as would be admissible in evidence, shall show affirmatively that 
the affiant is competent to testify to the matters stated therein, and 
must be signed under oath and penalty of perjury.
    (e) Page limitations for dispositive motions. A motion to dismiss 
or for summary disposition, together with any brief in support of the 
motion (exclusive of any declarations, affidavits, or attachments) 
shall not exceed 35 pages in length. Motions for extensions of this 
length limitation are disfavored.
    (f) Opposition and reply response time and page limitation. Any 
party, within 20 days after service of a dispositive motion, or within 
such time period as allowed by the hearing officer, may file a response 
to such motion. The length limitations set forth in paragraph (e) of 
this section shall also apply to such responses. Any reply brief filed 
in response to an opposition to a dispositive motion shall be filed 
within five days after service of the opposition. Reply briefs shall 
not exceed ten pages.
    (g) Oral argument. At the request of any party or on his or her own 
motion, the hearing officer may hear oral argument on a dispositive 
motion.
    (h) Decision on motion. Within 30 days following the expiration of 
the time for filing all responses and replies to any dispositive 
motion, the hearing officer shall determine whether the motion shall be 
granted. If the hearing

[[Page 39097]]

officer determines that dismissal or summary disposition is warranted, 
he or she shall issue a recommended decision granting the motion. If 
the hearing officer finds that no party is entitled to dismissal or 
summary disposition, he or she shall make a ruling denying the motion. 
If it appears that a party, for good cause shown, cannot present by 
affidavit, prior to hearing, facts essential to justify opposition to 
the motion, the hearing officer shall deny or defer the motion.

Sec.  1081.213  Partial summary disposition.

    If on a motion for summary disposition under Sec.  1081.212 a 
decision is not rendered upon the whole case or for all the relief 
asked and a hearing is necessary, the hearing officer shall issue an 
order specifying the facts that appear without substantial controversy 
and directing further proceedings in the action. The facts so specified 
shall be deemed established.

Sec.  1081.214  Prehearing conferences.

    (a) Prehearing conferences. The hearing officer may, in addition to 
the scheduling conference, on his or her own motion or at the request 
of any party, direct counsel for the parties to meet with him or her 
(in person or by telephone) at a prehearing conference for further 
discussion of the issues outlined in Sec.  1081.203, or for discussion 
of any additional matters that in the view of the hearing officer will 
aid in an orderly disposition of the proceeding, including but not 
limited to:
    (1) Identification of potential witnesses and limitation on the 
number of witnesses;
    (2) The exchange of any prehearing materials including witness 
lists, statements of issues, exhibits, and any other materials;
    (3) Stipulations, admissions of fact, and the contents, 
authenticity, and admissibility into evidence of documents;
    (4) Matters of which official notice may be taken; and
    (5) Whether the parties intend to introduce prior sworn statements 
of witnesses as set forth in Sec.  1081.303(h).
    (b) Transcript. The hearing officer, in his or her discretion, may 
require that a prehearing conference be recorded by a court reporter. A 
transcript of the conference and any materials filed, including orders, 
becomes part of the record of the proceeding. A party may obtain a copy 
of the transcript at his or her expense.
    (c) Public access. Any prehearing conferences shall be public 
unless the hearing officer determines, based on the standard set forth 
in Sec.  1081.119(c), that the conference (or any part thereof) shall 
be closed to the public.

Sec.  1081.215  Prehearing submissions.

    (a) Within the time set by the hearing officer, but in no case 
later than ten days before the start of the hearing, each party shall 
serve on every other party:
    (1) A prehearing statement, which shall include an outline or 
narrative summary of its case or defense, and the legal theories upon 
which it will rely;
    (2) A final list of witnesses to be called to testify at the 
hearing, including the name and address of each witness and a short 
summary of the expected testimony of each witness;
    (3) Any prior sworn statements that a party intends to admit into 
evidence pursuant to Sec.  1081.303(h);
    (4) A list of the exhibits to be introduced at the hearing along 
with a copy of each exhibit; and
    (5) Any stipulations of fact or liability.
    (b) Expert witnesses. Each party who intends to call an expert 
witness shall also serve, in addition to the information required by 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section, a statement of the expert's 
qualifications, a listing of other proceedings in which the expert has 
given or sought to give expert testimony at trial or hearing or by 
deposition within the preceding four years, and a list of publications 
authored or co-authored by the expert within the preceding ten years, 
to the extent such information has not already been provided pursuant 
to Sec.  1081.210.
    (c) Effect of failure to comply. No witness may testify and no 
exhibits may be introduced at the hearing if such witness or exhibit is 
not listed in the prehearing submissions pursuant to paragraph (a) of 
this section, except for good cause shown.

Sec.  1081.216  Amicus participation.

    (a) Availability. An amicus brief may be filed only if:
    (1) A motion for leave to file the brief has been granted;
    (2) The brief is accompanied by written consent of all parties;
    (3) The brief is filed at the request of the Director or the 
hearing officer, as appropriate; or
    (4) The brief is presented by the United States or an officer or 
agency thereof, or by a State or a political subdivision thereof.
    (b) Procedure. An amicus brief may be filed conditionally with the 
motion for leave. The motion for leave shall identify the interest of 
the movant and shall state the reasons why a brief of an amicus curiae 
is desirable. Except as all parties otherwise consent, any amicus 
curiae shall file its brief within the time allowed the party whose 
position the amicus will support, unless the Director or hearing 
officer, as appropriate, for good cause shown, grants leave for a later 
filing. In the event that a later filing is allowed, the order granting 
leave to file shall specify when an opposing party may reply to the 
brief.
    (c) Motions. A motion for leave to file an amicus brief shall be 
subject to Sec.  1081.205.
    (d) Formal requirements as to amicus briefs. Amicus briefs shall be 
filed pursuant to Sec.  1081.111 and shall comply with the requirements 
of Sec.  1081.112 and shall be subject to the length limitation set 
forth in Sec.  1081.212(e).
    (e) Oral argument. An amicus curiae may move to present oral 
argument at any hearing before the hearing officer, but such motions 
will be granted only for extraordinary reasons.

Subpart C--Hearings

Sec.  1081.300  Public hearings.

    All hearings in adjudication proceedings shall be public unless a 
confidentiality order is entered by the hearing officer pursuant to 
Sec.  1081.119 or unless otherwise ordered by the Director on the 
grounds that holding an open hearing would be contrary to the public 
interest.

Sec.  1081.301  Failure to appear.

    Failure of a respondent to appear in person or by a duly authorized 
counsel at the hearing constitutes a waiver of respondent's right to a 
hearing and may be deemed an admission of the facts as alleged and 
consent to the relief sought in the notice of charges. Without further 
proceedings or notice to the respondent, the hearing officer shall file 
a recommended decision containing findings of fact and addressing the 
relief sought in the notice of charges.

Sec.  1081.302  Conduct of hearings.

    All hearings shall be conducted in a fair, impartial, expeditious, 
and orderly manner. Enforcement counsel shall present its case-in-chief 
first, unless otherwise ordered by the hearing officer, or unless 
otherwise expressly specified by law or regulation. Enforcement counsel 
shall be the first party to present an opening statement and a closing 
statement, and may make a rebuttal statement after the respondent's 
closing statement. If there are multiple respondents, respondents may 
agree among themselves as to their order of presentation of their 
cases, but if they do not agree, the hearing officer shall fix the 
order.

[[Page 39098]]

Sec.  1081.303  Evidence.

    (a) Burden of proof. Enforcement counsel shall have the burden of 
proof of the ultimate issue(s) of the Bureau's claims at the hearing.
    (b) Admissibility. (1) Except as is otherwise set forth in this 
section, relevant, material, and reliable evidence that is not unduly 
repetitive is admissible to the fullest extent authorized by the 
Administrative Procedure Act and other applicable law. Irrelevant, 
immaterial, and unreliable evidence shall be excluded.
    (2) Evidence, even if relevant, may be excluded if its probative 
value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice or 
confusion of the issues; if the evidence would be misleading; or based 
on considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless 
presentation of cumulative evidence.
    (3) Evidence that constitutes hearsay may be admitted if it is 
relevant, material, and bears satisfactory indicia of reliability so 
that its use is fair. Hearsay is a statement, other than one made by 
the declarant while testifying at the hearing, offered in evidence to 
prove the truth of the matter asserted. If otherwise meeting the 
standards for admissibility described in this section, transcripts of 
depositions, investigational hearings, prior testimony in Bureau or 
other proceedings, and any other form of hearsay shall be admissible 
and shall not be excluded solely on the ground that they are or contain 
hearsay.
    (4) Evidence that would be admissible under the Federal Rules of 
Evidence is admissible in a proceeding conducted pursuant to this part. 
Evidence that would be inadmissible under the Federal Rules of Evidence 
may not be deemed or ruled to be inadmissible in a proceeding conducted 
pursuant to this part solely on that basis.
    (c) Official notice. Official notice may be taken of any material 
fact that is not subject to reasonable dispute in that it is either 
generally known or capable of accurate and ready determination by 
resort to sources whose accuracy cannot reasonably be questioned. If 
official notice is requested or is taken of a material fact not 
appearing in the evidence in the record, the parties, upon timely 
request, shall be afforded an opportunity to disprove such noticed 
fact.
    (d) Documents. (1) A duplicate copy of a document is admissible to 
the same extent as the original, unless a genuine issue is raised as to 
whether the copy is in some material respect not a true and legible 
copy of the original.
    (2) Subject to the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section, 
any document, including a report of examination, supervisory activity, 
inspection or visitation, prepared by the Bureau, a prudential 
regulator, as that term is defined in section 1002(24) of the Dodd-
Frank Act, or by a State regulatory agency, is presumptively admissible 
either with or without a sponsoring witness.
    (3) Witnesses may use existing or newly created charts, exhibits, 
calendars, calculations, outlines or other graphic material to 
summarize, illustrate, or simplify the presentation of testimony. Such 
materials may, subject to the hearing officer's discretion, be used 
with or without being admitted into evidence.
    (4) As respondents are in the best position to determine the nature 
of documents generated by such respondents and which come from their 
own files, the burden of proof is on the respondent to introduce 
evidence to rebut a presumption that such documents are authentic and 
kept in the regular course of business.
    (e) Objections. (1) Objections to the admissibility of evidence 
must be timely made and rulings on all objections must appear on the 
record.
    (2) Whenever evidence is excluded from the record, the party 
offering such evidence may make an offer of proof, which shall be 
included in the record. Rejected exhibits, adequately marked for 
identification, shall be retained pursuant to Sec.  1081.306(b) so as 
to be available for consideration by any reviewing authority.
    (3) Failure to object to admission of evidence or to any ruling 
constitutes a waiver of the objection.
    (f) Stipulations. (1) The parties may, at any stage of the 
proceeding, stipulate as to any relevant matters of fact or the 
authentication of any relevant documents. Such stipulations must be 
received in evidence at a hearing and are binding on the parties with 
respect to the matters therein stipulated.
    (2) Unless the hearing officer directs otherwise, all stipulations 
of fact and law previously agreed upon by the parties, and all 
documents, the admissibility of which have been previously stipulated, 
will be admitted into evidence upon commencement of the hearing.
    (g) Presentation of evidence. (1) A witness at a hearing for the 
purpose of taking evidence shall testify under oath or affirmation.
    (2) A party is entitled to present its case or defense by sworn 
oral testimony and documentary evidence, to submit rebuttal evidence, 
and to conduct such cross-examination as, in the discretion of the 
hearing officer, may be required for a full and true disclosure of the 
facts.
    (3) An adverse party, or an officer, agent, or employee thereof, 
and any witness who appears to be hostile, unwilling, or evasive, may 
be interrogated by leading questions and may also be contradicted and 
impeached by the party calling him or her.
    (4) The hearing officer shall exercise reasonable control over the 
mode and order of interrogating witnesses and presenting evidence so as 
to:
    (i) Make the interrogation and presentation effective for the 
ascertainment of the truth;
    (ii) Avoid needless consumption of time; and
    (iii) Protect witnesses from harassment or undue embarrassment.
    (5) The hearing officer may permit a witness to appear at a hearing 
via video conference or telephone for good cause shown.
    (h) Introducing prior sworn statements of witnesses into the 
record. At a hearing, any party wishing to introduce a prior, sworn 
statement of a witness, not a party, otherwise admissible in the 
proceeding, may make a motion setting forth the reasons therefore. If 
only part of a statement is offered in evidence, the hearing officer 
may require that all relevant portions of the statement be introduced. 
If all of a statement is offered in evidence, the hearing officer may 
require that portions not relevant to the proceeding be excluded. A 
motion to introduce a prior sworn statement may be granted if:
    (1) The witness is dead;
    (2) The witness is out of the United States, unless it appears that 
the absence of the witness was procured by the party offering the prior 
sworn statement;
    (3) The witness is unable to attend or testify because of age, 
sickness, infirmity, imprisonment or other disability;
    (4) The party offering the prior sworn statement has been unable to 
procure the attendance of the witness by subpoena; or
    (5) In the discretion of the hearing officer, it would be 
desirable, in the interests of justice, to allow the prior sworn 
statement to be used. In making this determination, due regard shall be 
given to the presumption that witnesses will testify orally in an open 
hearing. If the parties have stipulated to accept a prior sworn 
statement in lieu of live testimony, consideration shall also be given 
to the convenience of the parties in avoiding unnecessary expense.

[[Page 39099]]

Sec.  1081.304  Record of the hearing.

    (a) Reporting and transcription. Hearings shall be stenographically 
reported and transcribed under the supervision of the hearing officer, 
and the original transcript shall be a part of the record and the sole 
official transcript. The live oral testimony of each witness may be 
video recorded digitally, in which case the video recording and the 
written transcript of the testimony shall be made part of the record. 
Copies of transcripts shall be available from the reporter at 
prescribed rates.
    (b) Corrections. Corrections of the official transcript may be made 
only when they involve errors affecting substance and then only in the 
manner herein provided. Corrections ordered by the hearing officer or 
agreed to in a written stipulation signed by all counsel and parties 
not represented by counsel, and approved by the hearing officer, shall 
be included in the record, and such stipulations, except to the extent 
they are capricious or without substance, shall be approved by the 
hearing officer. Corrections shall not be ordered by the hearing 
officer except upon notice and opportunity for the hearing of 
objections. Such corrections shall be made by the official reporter by 
furnishing substitute type pages, under the usual certificate of the 
reporter, for insertion in the official record. The original 
uncorrected pages shall be retained in the files of the Bureau.
    (c) Closing of the hearing record. Upon completion of the hearing, 
the hearing officer shall issue an order closing the hearing record 
after giving the parties three days to determine if the record is 
complete or needs to be supplemented. The hearing officer shall retain 
the discretion to permit or order correction of the record as provided 
in paragraph (b) of this section.

Sec.  1081.305  Post-hearing filings.

    (a) Proposed findings and conclusions and supporting briefs. (1) 
Using the same method of service for each party, the hearing officer 
shall serve notice upon each party that the certified transcript, 
together with all hearing exhibits and exhibits introduced but not 
admitted into evidence at the hearing, has been filed promptly after 
that filing. Any party may file with the hearing officer proposed 
findings of fact, proposed conclusions of law, and a proposed order 
within 30 days following service of this notice by the hearing officer 
or within such longer period as may be ordered by the hearing officer.
    (2) Proposed findings and conclusions must be supported by citation 
to any relevant authorities and by page references to any relevant 
portions of the record. A post-hearing brief may be filed in support of 
proposed findings and conclusions, either as part of the same document 
or in a separate document.
    (b) Responsive briefs. Responsive briefs may be filed within 15 
days after the date on which the parties' proposed findings, 
conclusions, and order are due. Responsive briefs must be strictly 
limited to responding to matters, issues, or arguments raised in 
another party's papers. A party who has not filed proposed findings of 
fact and conclusions of law or a post-hearing brief may not file a 
responsive brief. Unless directed by the hearing officer, reply briefs 
are not permitted.
    (c) Order of filing. The hearing officer shall not order the filing 
by any party of any post-hearing brief or responsive brief in advance 
of the other party's filing of its post-hearing brief or responsive 
brief.

Sec.  1081.306  Record in proceedings before hearing officer; retention 
of documents; copies.

    (a) Contents of the record. The record of the proceeding shall 
consist of:
    (1) The notice of charges, the answer, and any amendments thereto;
    (2) Each motion, submission, or other paper filed in the 
proceedings, and any amendments and exceptions to or regarding them;
    (3) Each stipulation, transcript of testimony, and any document or 
other item admitted into evidence;
    (4) Any transcript of a conference or hearing before the hearing 
officer;
    (5) Any amicus briefs filed pursuant to Sec.  1081.216;
    (6) With respect to a request to disqualify a hearing officer or to 
allow the hearing officer's withdrawal under Sec.  1081.105(c), each 
affidavit or transcript of testimony taken and the decision made in 
connection with the request;
    (7) All motions, briefs, and other papers filed on interlocutory 
appeal;
    (8) All proposed findings and conclusions;
    (9) Each written order issued by the hearing officer or Director; 
and
    (10) Any other document or item accepted into the record by the 
hearing officer.
    (b) Retention of documents not admitted. Any document offered into 
evidence but excluded shall not be considered part of the record. The 
Office of Administrative Adjudication shall retain any such document 
until the later of the date upon which an order by the Director ending 
the proceeding becomes final and not appealable, or upon the conclusion 
of any judicial review of the Director's order.
    (c) Substitution of copies. A true copy of a document may be 
substituted for any document in the record or any document retained 
pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section.

Subpart D--Decision and Appeals

Sec.  1081.400  Recommended decision of the hearing officer.

    (a) Time period for filing recommended decision. Subject to 
paragraph (b) of this section, the hearing officer shall file a 
recommended decision no later than 90 days after the deadline for 
filing post-hearing responsive briefs pursuant to Sec.  1081.305(b) and 
in no event later than 300 days after filing of the notice of charges.
    (b) Extension of deadlines. In the event the hearing officer 
presiding over the proceeding determines that it will not be possible 
to issue the recommended decision within the time periods specified in 
paragraph (a) of this section, the hearing officer shall submit a 
written request to the Director for an extension of the time period for 
filing the recommended decision. This request must be filed no later 
than 30 days prior to the expiration of the time for issuance of a 
recommended decision. The request will be served on all parties in the 
proceeding, who may file with the Director briefs in support of or in 
opposition to the request. Any such briefs must be filed within three 
days of service of the hearing officer's request and shall not exceed 
five pages. If the Director determines that additional time is 
necessary or appropriate in the public interest, the Director shall 
issue an order extending the time period for filing the recommended 
decision.
    (c) Content. (1) A recommended decision shall be based on a 
consideration of the whole record relevant to the issues decided, and 
shall be supported by reliable, probative, and substantial evidence. 
The recommended decision shall include a statement of findings of fact 
(with specific page references to principal supporting items of 
evidence in the record) and conclusions of law, as well as the reasons 
or basis therefore, as to all the material issues of fact, law, or 
discretion presented on the record and the appropriate order, sanction, 
relief or denial thereof. The recommended decision shall also state 
that a notice of appeal may be filed within ten days after service of 
the recommended decision and include a statement that, unless a party 
timely files and perfects

[[Page 39100]]

a notice of appeal of the recommended decision, the Director may adopt 
the recommended decision as the final decision and order of the Bureau 
without further opportunity for briefing or argument.
    (2) Consistent with paragraph (a) of this section, when more than 
one claim for relief is presented in an adjudication proceeding, or 
when multiple parties are involved, the hearing officer may direct the 
entry of a recommended decision as to one or more but fewer than all of 
the claims or parties only upon an express determination that there is 
no just reason for delay and upon an express direction for the entry of 
a recommended decision.
    (d) By whom made. The recommended decision shall be made and filed 
by the hearing officer who presided over the hearings, except when he 
or she shall have become unavailable to the Bureau.
    (e) Reopening of proceeding by hearing officer; termination of 
jurisdiction. (1) At any time from the close of the hearing record 
pursuant to Sec.  1081.304(c) until the filing of his or her 
recommended decision, a hearing officer may reopen the proceeding for 
the receipt of further evidence for good cause shown.
    (2) Except for the correction of clerical errors or pursuant to an 
order of remand from the Director, the jurisdiction of the hearing 
officer is terminated upon the filing of his or her recommended 
decision with respect to those issues decided pursuant to paragraph (c) 
of this section.
    (f) Filing, service, and publication. Upon filing by the hearing 
officer of the recommended decision, the Office of Administrative 
Adjudication shall promptly transmit the recommended decision to the 
Director and serve the recommended decision upon the parties.

Sec.  1081.401  Transmission of documents to Director; record index; 
certification.

    (a) Filing of index. At the same time the Office of Administrative 
Adjudication transmits the recommended decision to the Director, the 
hearing officer shall furnish to the Director a certified index of the 
entire record of the proceedings. The certified index shall include, at 
a minimum, an entry for each paper, document or motion filed in the 
proceeding, the date of the filing, and the identity of the filer. The 
certified index shall also include an exhibit index containing, at a 
minimum, an entry consisting of exhibit number and title or description 
for each exhibit introduced and admitted into evidence and each exhibit 
introduced but not admitted into evidence.
    (b) Retention of record items by the Office of Administrative 
Adjudication. After the close of the hearing, the Office of 
Administrative Adjudication shall retain originals of any motions, 
exhibits or any other documents filed with, or accepted into evidence 
by, the hearing officer, or any other portions of the record that have 
not already been filed with the Office of Administrative Adjudication.

Sec.  1081.402  Notice of appeal; review by the Director.

    (a) Notice of appeal. (1) Filing. Any party may file exceptions to 
the recommended decision of the hearing officer by filing a notice of 
appeal with the Office of Administrative Adjudication within ten days 
after service of the recommended decision. The notice shall specify the 
party or parties against whom the appeal is taken and shall designate 
the recommended decision or part thereof appealed from. If a timely 
notice of appeal is filed by a party, any other party may thereafter 
file a notice of appeal within five days after service of the first 
notice, or within ten days after service of the recommended decision, 
whichever period expires last.
    (2) Perfecting a notice of appeal. Any party filing a notice of 
appeal must perfect its appeal by filing its opening appeal brief 
within 30 days of service of the recommended decision. Any party may 
respond to the opening appeal brief by filing an answering brief within 
30 days of service of the opening brief. Any party may file a reply to 
an answering brief within seven days of service of the answering brief. 
These briefs must conform to the requirements of Sec.  1081.403.
    (b) Director review other than pursuant to an appeal. In the event 
no party perfects an appeal of the recommended decision, the Director 
shall, within 40 days after the date of service of the recommended 
decision, either issue a final decision and order adopting the 
recommended decision, or order further briefing regarding any portion 
of the recommended decision. The Director's order for further briefing 
shall set forth the scope of review and the issues that will be 
considered and will make provision for the filing of briefs in 
accordance with the timelines set forth in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section (except that that opening briefs shall be due within 30 days of 
service of the order of review) if deemed appropriate by the Director.
    (c) Exhaustion of administrative remedies. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
704, a perfected appeal to the Director of a recommended decision 
pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section is a prerequisite to the 
seeking of judicial review of a final decision and order, or portion of 
the final decision and order, adopting the recommended decision.

Sec.  1081.403  Briefs filed with the Director.

    (a) Contents of briefs. Briefs shall be confined to the particular 
matters at issue. Each exception to the findings or conclusions being 
reviewed shall be stated succinctly. Exceptions shall be supported by 
citation to the relevant portions of the record, including references 
to the specific pages relied upon, and by concise argument including 
citation of such statutes, decisions, and other authorities as may be 
relevant. If the exception relates to the admission or exclusion of 
evidence, the substance of the evidence admitted or excluded shall be 
set forth in the brief, in an appendix thereto, or by citation to the 
record. Reply briefs shall be confined to matters in answering briefs 
of other parties.
    (b) Length limitation. Except with leave of the Director, opening 
and answering briefs shall not exceed 30 pages, and reply briefs shall 
not exceed 15 pages, exclusive of pages containing the table of 
contents, table of authorities, and any addendum that consists solely 
of copies of applicable cases, pertinent legislative provisions or 
rules, and exhibits. Motions to file briefs in excess of these 
limitations are disfavored.

Sec.  1081.404  Oral argument before the Director.

    (a) Availability. The Director will consider appeals, motions, and 
other matters properly before him or her on the basis of the papers 
filed by the parties without oral argument unless the Director 
determines that the presentation of facts and legal arguments in the 
briefs and record and decisional process would be significantly aided 
by oral argument, in which case the Director shall issue an order 
setting the date on which argument shall be held. A party seeking oral 
argument shall so indicate on the first page of its opening or 
answering brief.
    (b) Public arguments; transcription. All oral arguments shall be 
public unless otherwise ordered by the Director. Oral arguments before 
the Director shall be reported stenographically, unless otherwise 
ordered by the Director. Motions to correct the transcript of oral 
argument shall be made according to the same procedure provided in 
Sec.  1081.304(b).

[[Page 39101]]

Sec.  1081.405  Decision of the Director.

    (a) Upon appeal from or upon further review of a recommended 
decision, the Director will consider such parts of the record as are 
cited or as may be necessary to resolve the issues presented and, in 
addition, will, to the extent necessary or desirable, exercise all 
powers which he or she could have exercised if he or she had made the 
recommended decision. In proceedings before the Director, the record 
shall consist of all items part of the record below in accordance with 
Sec.  1081.306; any notices of appeal or order directing review; all 
briefs, motions, submissions, and other papers filed on appeal or 
review; and the transcript of any oral argument held. Review by the 
Director of a recommended decision may be limited to the issues 
specified in the notice(s) of appeal or the issues, if any, specified 
in the order directing further briefing. On notice to all parties, 
however, the Director may, at any time prior to issuance of his or her 
decision, raise and determine any other matters that he or she deems 
material, with opportunity for oral or written argument thereon by the 
parties.
    (b) Decisional employees may advise and assist the Director in the 
consideration and disposition of the case.
    (c) In rendering his or her decision, the Director will affirm, 
adopt, reverse, modify, set aside, or remand for further proceedings 
the recommended decision and will include in the decision a statement 
of the reasons or basis for his or her actions and the findings of fact 
upon which the decision is predicated.
    (d) At the expiration of the time permitted for the filing of reply 
briefs with the Director, the Office of Administrative Adjudication 
will notify the parties that the case has been submitted for final 
Bureau decision. The Director will issue and the Office of 
Administrative Adjudication will serve the Director's final decision 
and order within 90 days after such notice, unless within that time the 
Director orders that the adjudication proceeding or any aspect thereof 
be remanded to the hearing officer for further proceedings.
    (e) Copies of the final decision and order of the Director shall be 
served upon each party to the proceeding, upon other persons required 
by statute, and, if directed by the Director or required by statute, 
upon any appropriate State or Federal supervisory authority. The final 
decision and order will also be published on the Bureau's Web site or 
as otherwise deemed appropriate by the Bureau.

Sec.  1081.406  Reconsideration.

    Within 14 days after service of the Director's final decision and 
order, any party may file with the Director a petition for 
reconsideration, briefly and specifically setting forth the relief 
desired and the grounds in support thereof. Any petition filed under 
this section must be confined to new questions raised by the final 
decision or final order and upon which the petitioner had no 
opportunity to argue, in writing or orally, before the Director. No 
response to a petition for reconsideration shall be filed unless 
requested by the Director, who will request such response before 
granting any petition for reconsideration. The filing of a petition for 
reconsideration shall not operate to stay the effective date of the 
final decision or order or to toll the running of any statutory period 
affecting such decision or order unless specifically so ordered by the 
Director.

Sec.  1081.407  Effective date; stays pending judicial review.

    (a) Other than consent orders, which shall become effective at the 
time specified therein, an order to cease and desist or for other 
affirmative action under section 1053(b) of the Dodd-Frank Act becomes 
effective at the expiration of 30 days after the date of service 
pursuant to Sec.  1081.113(d)(2), unless the Director agrees to stay 
the effectiveness of the order pursuant to this section.
    (b) Any party subject to a final decision and order, other than a 
consent order, may apply to the Director for a stay of all or part of 
that order pending judicial review.
    (c) A motion for stay shall state the reasons a stay is warranted 
and the facts relied upon, and shall include supporting affidavits or 
other sworn statements, and a copy of the relevant portions of the 
record. The motion shall address the likelihood of the movant's success 
on appeal, whether the movant will suffer irreparable harm if a stay is 
not granted, the degree of injury to other parties if a stay is 
granted, and why the stay is in the public interest.
    (d) A motion for stay shall be filed within 30 days of service of 
the order on the party. Any party opposing the motion may file a 
response within five days after receipt of the motion. The movant may 
file a reply brief, limited to new matters raised by the response, 
within three days after receipt of the response.
    (e) The commencement of proceedings for judicial review of a final 
decision and order of the Director does not, unless specifically 
ordered by the Director or a reviewing court, operate as a stay of any 
order issued by the Director. The Director may, in his or her 
discretion, and on such terms as he or she finds just, stay the 
effectiveness of all or any part of an order pending a final decision 
on a petition for judicial review of that order.

    Dated: June 4, 2012.
Richard Cordray,
Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
[FR Doc. 2012-14061 Filed 6-28-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-AM-P
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