Pleadings and Motions

29 C.F.R. Part ..., Subpart C
in effectEffective: 2024-07-01

29 C.F.R. § 2200.30 General rules.

(a) Format. Pleadings and other documents (other than exhibits) shall be typewritten, double spaced, with typeface of text being no smaller than 12-point and typeface of footnotes being no smaller than 11-point, on letter size opaque paper (8 1/2 inches by 11 inches). All margins shall be 1 1/2 inches. Pleadings and other documents shall be fastened without the use of staples at the upper left corner. (b) Clarity. Each allegation or response of a pleading or motion shall be simple, concise, and direct. (c) Separation of claims. Each allegation or response shall be made in separate numbered paragraphs. Each paragraph shall be limited as far as practicable to a statement of a single set of circumstances. (d) Adoption by reference. Statements in a pleading may be adopted by reference in a different part of the same pleading or in another pleading or in any motion. A copy of any written instrument which is an exhibit to a pleading is a part of the pleading for all purposes. (e) Alternative pleading. A party may set forth two or more statements of a claim or defense alternatively or hypothetically. When two or more statements are made in the alternative and one of them would be sufficient if made independently, the pleading is not made insufficient by the insufficiency of one or more of the alternative statements. A party may state as many separate claims or defenses as it has regardless of consistency. All statements shall be made subject to the signature requirements of § 2200.32. (f) Form of pleadings, motions, and other documents. Any pleading, motion, or other document shall contain a caption complying with § 2200.31 and a signature complying with § 2200.32. The form and content of motions shall conform with § 2200.40. (g) Burden of persuasion. The rules of pleading established by this subpart are not determinative in deciding which party bears the burden of persuasion on an issue. By pleading a matter affirmatively, a party does not waive its right to argue that the burden of persuasion on the matter is on another party. (h) Enforcement of pleading rules. The Commission or the Judge may refuse for filing any pleading or motion that does not comply with the requirements of this subpart.

29 C.F.R. § 2200.31 Caption; titles of cases.

(a) Notice of contest cases. Cases initiated by a notice of contest shall be titled: (b) Petitions for modification of abatement period. Cases initiated by a petition for modification of the abatement period shall be titled: (c) Location of title. The titles listed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section shall appear at the left upper portion of the initial page of any pleading or document (other than exhibits) filed. (d) Docket number. The initial page of any pleading or document (other than exhibits) shall show, at the upper right of the page, opposite the title, the docket number, if known, assigned by the Commission. Secretary of Labor, Complainant, v. (Name of Employer), Respondent. (Name of employer), Petitioner, v. Secretary of Labor, Respondent.

29 C.F.R. § 2200.32 Signing of pleadings and motions.

Pleadings and motions shall be signed by the filing party or by the party's representative. The signature of a representative constitutes a representation by the representative that the representative is authorized to represent the party or parties on whose behalf the pleading is filed. The signature of a representative or party also constitutes a certificate by the representative or party that the representative or party has read the pleading, motion, or other document, that to the best of the representative's or party's knowledge, information, and belief, formed after reasonable inquiry, it 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 that it is not included for any improper purpose, such as to harass or to cause unnecessary delay or needless increase in the cost of litigation. If a pleading, motion, or other document is signed in violation of this rule, such signing party or its representative shall be subject to the sanctions set forth in § 2200.101 or § 2200.104. A signature by a party representative constitutes a representation by the representative that the representative understands that the rules and orders of the Commission and its Judges apply equally to attorney and non-attorney representatives.

29 C.F.R. § 2200.33 Notices of contest.

Within 15 working days after receipt of any of the following notices, the Secretary shall notify the Commission of the receipt in writing and shall promptly furnish to the Executive Secretary of the Commission the original of any documents or records filed by the contesting party and copies of all other documents or records relevant to the contest: (a) Notification that the employer intends to contest a citation or proposed penalty under section 10(a) of the Act, 29 U.S.C. 659(a); or (b) Notification that the employer wishes to contest a notice of a failure to abate or a proposed penalty under section 10(b) of the Act, 29 U.S.C. 659(b); or (c) A notice of contest filed by an employee or representative of employees with respect to the reasonableness of the abatement period under section 10(c) of the Act, 29 U.S.C. 659(c).

29 C.F.R. § 2200.34 Employer contests.

(a) Complaint. (1) The Secretary shall file a complaint with the Commission no later than 21 days after receipt of the notice of contest. (2) The complaint shall set forth all alleged violations and proposed penalties which are contested, stating with particularity: (i) The basis for jurisdiction; (ii) The time, location, place, and circumstances of each such alleged violation; and (iii) The considerations upon which the period for abatement and the proposed penalty of each such alleged violation are based. (3) Where the Secretary seeks in the complaint to amend the citation or proposed penalty, the Secretary shall set forth the reasons for amendment and shall state with particularity the change sought. (b) Answer. (1) Within 21 days after service of the complaint, the party against whom the complaint was issued shall file an answer with the Commission. (2) The answer shall contain a short and plain statement denying those allegations in the complaint which the party intends to contest. Any allegation not denied shall be deemed admitted. (3) The answer shall include all affirmative defenses being asserted. Such affirmative defenses include, but are not limited to, “infeasibility,” “unpreventable employee misconduct,” and “greater hazard.” (4) The failure to raise an affirmative defense in the answer may result in the party being prohibited from raising the defense at a later stage in the proceeding, unless the Judge finds that the party has asserted the defense as soon as practicable. (c) Motions filed in lieu of an answer. A motion filed in lieu of an answer pursuant to this subpart shall be filed no later than 21 days after service of the complaint. The form and content of the motion shall comply with § 2200.40.

29 C.F.R. § 2200.35 Disclosure of corporate parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates.

(a) General. All answers, petitions for modification of abatement period, or other initial pleadings filed under these rules by a corporation shall be accompanied by a separate declaration listing all parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates of that corporation or stating that the corporation has no parents, subsidiaries, or affiliates, whichever is applicable. (b) Failure to disclose. The Commission or the Judge in its discretion may refuse to accept for filing an answer or other initial pleading that lacks the disclosure declaration required by this paragraph. A party that fails to file an adequate declaration may be held in default after being given an opportunity to show cause why it should not be held in default. All show cause orders issued by the Commission or the Judge shall be served in a manner prescribed in § 2200.7(o). (c) Continuing duty to disclose. A party subject to the disclosure requirement of this paragraph has a continuing duty to notify the Commission or the Judge of any change in the information on the disclosure declaration until the Commission issues a final order disposing of the proceeding.

29 C.F.R. § 2200.37 Petitions for modification of the abatement period.

(a) Grounds for modifying abatement date. An employer may file a petition for modification of abatement date when such employer has made a good faith effort to comply with the abatement requirements of a citation, but such abatement has not been completed because of factors beyond the employer's reasonable control. (b) Contents of petition. A petition for modification of abatement date shall be in writing and shall include the following information: (1) All steps taken by the employer, and the dates of such action, in an effort to achieve compliance during the prescribed abatement period. (2) The specific additional abatement time necessary in order to achieve compliance. (3) The reasons such additional time is necessary, including the unavailability of professional or technical personnel or of materials and equipment, or because necessary construction or alteration of facilities cannot be completed by the original abatement date. (4) All available interim steps being taken to safeguard the employees against the cited hazard during the abatement period. (c) When and where filed; posting requirement; responses to petition. A petition for modification of abatement date shall be filed with the Area Director of the United States Department of Labor who issued the citation no later than the close of the next working day following the date on which abatement was originally required. A later-filed petition shall be accompanied by the employer's statement of exceptional circumstances explaining the delay. (1) A copy of such petition shall be posted in a conspicuous place where all affected employees will have notice of the petition or near each location where the violation occurred. The petition shall remain posted for a period of 10 working days. (2) Affected employees or the representatives may file an objection in writing to such petition with the aforesaid Area Director. Failure to file such objection within 10 working days of the date of posting of such petition shall constitute a waiver of any further right to object to said petition. (3) The Secretary or the Secretary's duly authorized agent shall have the authority to approve any uncontested petition for modification of abatement date filed pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section. Such uncontested petitions shall become final orders pursuant to sections 10(a) and (c) of the Act, 29 U.S.C. 659(a) and (c). (4) The Secretary or the Secretary's authorized representative shall not exercise the Secretary's approval power until the expiration of 15 working days from the date the petition was posted pursuant to paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section by the employer. (d) Contested petitions. Where any petition is objected to by the Secretary or affected employees, such petition shall be processed as follows: (1) The Secretary shall forward the petition, citation, and any objections to the Commission within 10 working days after the expiration of the 15 working day period set out in paragraph (c)(4) of this section. (2) The Commission shall docket and process such petitions as expedited proceedings as provided for in § 2200.103 of this part. (3) An employer petitioning for a modification of the abatement period shall have the burden of proving in accordance with the requirements of section 10(c) of the Act, 29 U.S.C. 659(c), that such employer has made a good faith effort to comply with the abatement requirements of the citation and that abatement has not been completed because of factors beyond the employer's reasonable control. (4) Where the petitioner is a corporation, it shall file a separate declaration listing all parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates of that corporation or stating that the corporation has no parents, subsidiaries, or affiliates, whichever is applicable, within 10 working days after service of the Commission docketing notice of the petition for modification of the abatement date. Service of the filed declaration on the other parties and intervenors shall be accomplished in a manner prescribed in § 2200.7(c). The requirements set forth in § 2200.35(b) through (c) shall apply. (5) Each objecting party shall file a response setting forth the reasons for opposing the abatement date requested in the petition, within 10 working days after service of the Commission docketing notice of the petition for modification of the abatement date. Service of the response on the other parties and intervenors shall be accomplished in a manner prescribed in § 2200.7(c).

29 C.F.R. § 2200.38 Employee contests.

(a) Secretary's statement of reasons. Where an affected employee or authorized employee representative files a notice of contest with respect to the abatement period, the Secretary shall, within 14 days from receipt of the notice of contest, file a clear and concise statement of the reasons the abatement period prescribed by the Secretary is not unreasonable. (b) Response to Secretary's statement. Not later than 14 days after service of the Secretary's statement, referred to in paragraph (a) of this section, the contesting affected employee or authorized employee representative shall file a response. Service of the filed statement on the other parties and intervenors shall be accomplished in a manner prescribed in § 2200.7(c). (c) Expedited proceedings. All contests under this section shall be handled as expedited proceedings as provided for in § 2200.103.

29 C.F.R. § 2200.39 Statement of position.

At any time prior to the commencement of the hearing before the Judge, any person entitled to appear as a party, or any person who has been granted leave to intervene, may file a statement of position with respect to any or all issues to be heard. The Judge may order the filing of a statement of position.

29 C.F.R. § 2200.40 Motions and requests.

(a) How to make. An application or request for an order must be made by written motion. A motion shall not be included in another pleading or document, such as a brief or petition for discretionary review, but shall be made in a separate document. In exigent circumstances in cases pending before a Judge, an oral motion may be made during an off-the-record telephone conference if the motion is subsequently reduced to writing and filed within such time as the judge prescribes. (b) Form of motions. All motions shall contain a caption complying with § 2200.31 and a signature complying with § 2200.32. Requests for orders that are presented in any other form, such as by a business letter or by an email, shall not be considered or granted. (c) Content of motions. A motion shall contain a clear and plain statement of the relief sought and state with particularity the grounds for seeking the order. Written memoranda, briefs, affidavits, or other relevant material or documents may be filed in support of the motion or a response. (d) Duty to confer. Prior to filing a motion, the moving party shall confer or make reasonable efforts to confer with all other parties and shall state in the motion the efforts undertaken to confer. The motion shall also state if any other party opposes or does not oppose the motion. (e) Proposed order for procedural motions. All procedural motions shall be accompanied by a proposed order that would grant the relief requested in the motion. A procedural motion may be ruled upon prior to the expiration of the time for response. (f) Oral motions. Oral motions may be made during a hearing and shall be included in the transcript, if a transcript is being made. (g) When to make. (1) A motion filed in lieu of an answer pursuant to § 2200.34(c) shall be filed no later than 21 days after service of the complaint. (2) Motions shall be made as soon as the grounds for the motion are known. A party is not required to raise by motion any matter that the party has previously included in any pleading as defined in § 2200.1(n), unless the party seeks a ruling on the previously pleaded matter prior to the hearing on the merits. (3) A motion to postpone a hearing shall comply with § 2200.62. (h) Responses. Any party or intervenor upon whom a motion has been served shall file a response within 14 days from service of the motion. (i) Reconsideration. A party adversely affected by a ruling on any motion may file a motion for reconsideration within 7 days of service of the ruling. (j) Summary judgment motions. The provisions of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56 apply to motions for summary judgment.

Starting a business? Corpus forms LLCs in all 50 states and DC.