Are private parties permitted to have representation at hearings?:
Yes (All Types of Cases)
Who may serve as a private party representative?:
Either
Is the agency permitted to have representation at hearings?:
Yes (All Types of Cases)
Who may serve as an agency representative?:
Either
Regulations/rules of practice for hearings (please include CFR citations):
39 CFR Parts 961, 963, 965, and 966.
Is discovery permitted by either party at the hearing-level stage?:
Yes (Some Types of Cases)
Briefly describe the scope and type(s) of discovery available (e.g., depositions, interrogatories, etc.):
Discovery provided in 39 CFR Part 963. Informal discovery for 39 CFR Parts 961 and 966 as determined by the judge. No discovery for 39 CFR Part 965.
Are ex parte contacts prohibited?:
Yes (All Types of Cases)
Are parties provided notice of hearing?:
Yes (All Types of Cases)
What types of hearings are permitted at the hearing-level stage?:
Written (Document-Only) Hearing
In-Person
Video
Phone
How is the type of hearing selected:
Depends on Nature of Case/Claim
Please describe:
Determined by the judge.
In cases under Parts 961 and 966, the overwhelming majority of cases involve a hearing. A majority of those are by telephone, some are done in person, and an increasing number by video. In cases under Part 965, the overwhelming majority are based on written submissions only. Occasionally, live hearings are used. Cases under Part 963 are very rare.
How many hearing officers preside at each hearing?:
One
Is witness testimony permitted at hearings?:
Yes
Can parties cross-examine witnesses?:
Yes
Can third-parties submit amicus briefs and/or evidence?:
No
Are hearings recorded and/or transcribed?:
Yes
N/A (Document-Only Hearings)
Are hearings open to the public?:
Yes (Hearings Always Open/All Types of Cases)
Who typically drafts the decision at the hearing-level stage?:
Adjudication Officer
Do agency regulations or guidance provide time limits for issuance of final decisions?:
No
If "Yes," please specify these time limit(s):
Regulations for Part 965 use a non-binding guideline of 10 business days after final submission by the party. Cases under Parts 961 and 966 involve an internal objective of 30 days after receipt of the transcript.
Is judicial review available after issuance of a final decision?:
Yes (Some Types of Cases)
How are claims/cases processed at the hearing-level stage?:
Other
Does the agency permit web-based electronic filing of hearing-related briefs or other documents?:
Yes
Are final decisions published and/or posted on the agency website?:
Yes (All Decisions)
If "Yes (Some Decisions)," how does the agency determine which final decisions to publish/post? Please briefly describe:
Electronic filing expected to begin in 2015.
Decisions can be found here: http://about.usps.com/who-we-are/judicial/admin-decisions/welcome.htm
Do agency regulations/rules of practice specify the contents of the administrative record at the hearing-level stage?:
No
Total # of Hearing Officers:
1
Is ADR available at one or more points during the hearing process?:
No
Does your agency maintain annual caseload statistics for this hearing office by case type (e.g., discrimination complaint, licen:
No
Do you have any additional comments about your agency's responses on this form? If so, please provide comments below.:
We do not keep the type of statistics you are seeking.
Verified by Agency:
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