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14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 13.39 

(k) Issue protective orders governing 

the exchange and safekeeping of infor-
mation otherwise protected by law, ex-
cept that national security informa-
tion may not be disclosed under such 
an order; 

(l) Issue orders and decisions, and 

make findings of fact, as appropriate; 
and 

(m) Take any other action authorized 

by this subpart. 

§ 13.39

Disqualification of hearing offi-

cer. 

(a) 

Motion and supporting affidavit. 

Any party may file a motion for dis-
qualification under § 13.49(g). A party 
must state the grounds for disqualifica-
tion, including, but not limited to, a fi-
nancial or other personal interest that 
would be affected by the outcome of 
the enforcement action, personal ani-
mus against a party to the action or 
against a group to which a party be-
longs, prejudgment of the adjudicative 
facts at issue in the proceeding, or any 
other prohibited conflict of interest. A 
party must submit an affidavit with 
the motion for disqualification that 
sets forth, in detail, the matters al-
leged to constitute grounds for dis-
qualification. 

(b) 

Timing. A motion for disqualifica-

tion must be filed prior to the issuance 
of the hearing officer’s decision under 
§ 13.63(b). Any party may file a response 
to a motion for disqualification, but 
must do so no later than 5 days after 
service of the motion for disqualifica-
tion. 

(c) 

Decision on motion for disqualifica-

tion.  The hearing officer must render a 
decision on the motion for disqualifica-
tion no later than 15 days after the mo-
tion has been filed. If the hearing offi-
cer finds that the motion for disquali-
fication and supporting affidavit show 
a basis for disqualification, the hearing 
officer must withdraw from the pro-
ceedings immediately. If the hearing 
officer finds that disqualification is not 
warranted, the hearing officer must 
deny the motion and state the grounds 
for the denial on the record. If the 
hearing officer fails to rule on a party’s 
motion for disqualification within 15 
days after the motion has been filed, 
the motion is deemed granted. 

(d) 

Self-disqualification.  A hearing of-

ficer may disqualify himself or herself 
at any time. 

§ 13.41

Separation of functions and 

prohibition on ex parte communica-
tions. 

(a) 

Separation of powers. The hearing 

officer independently exercises the 
powers under this subpart in a manner 
conducive to justice and the proper dis-
patch of business. The hearing officer 
must not participate in any appeal to 
the Administrator. 

(b) 

Ex parte communications. (1) No 

substantive ex parte communications 
between the hearing officer and any 
party are permitted. 

(2) A hearing, conference, or other 

event scheduled with prior notice will 
not constitute ex parte communication 
prohibited by this section. A hearing, 
conference, or other event scheduled 
with prior notice, may proceed in the 
hearing officer’s sole discretion if a 
party fails to appear, respond, or other-
wise participate, and will not con-
stitute an ex parte communication pro-
hibited by this section. 

(3) For an appeal to the Adminis-

trator under this subpart, FAA attor-
neys representing the complainant 
must not advise the Administrator or 
engage in any ex parte communica-
tions with the Administrator or his ad-
visors. 

§ 13.43

Service and filing of pleadings, 

motions, and documents. 

(a) 

General rule. A party must file all 

requests for hearing, pleadings, mo-
tions, and documents with the FAA 
Hearing Docket, and must serve a copy 
upon all parties to the proceedings. 

(b) 

Methods of filing. Filing must be 

by email, personal delivery, expedited 
or overnight courier express service, 
mail, or fax. 

(c) 

Address for filing. A person filing a 

document with the FAA Hearing Dock-
et must use the address identified for 
the method of filing as follows: 

(1) 

If delivery is in person, or by expe-

dited or overnight express courier service. 
Federal Aviation Administration, 600 
Independence Avenue SW, Wilbur 
Wright Building—Suite 2W100, Wash-
ington, DC 20597; Attention: FAA Hear-
ing Docket, AGC–70. 

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