---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 C.F.R. § 3.11"
title: "16"
number: "3.11"
heading: "Commencement of proceedings."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/16/3.11"
---

# §3.11. Commencement of proceedings.

- (a) **Complaint.** Except as provided in [§ 3.13](/cfr/16/3.13.md), an adjudicative proceeding is commenced when an affirmative vote is taken by the Commission to issue a complaint.
- (b) **Form of complaint.** The Commission's complaint shall contain the following:
  - (1) Recital of the legal authority and jurisdiction for institution of the proceeding, with specific designation of the statutory provisions alleged to have been violated;
  - (2) A clear and concise factual statement sufficient to inform each respondent with reasonable definiteness of the type of acts or practices alleged to be in violation of the law;
  - (3) Where practical, a form of order which the Commission has reason to believe should issue if the facts are found to be as alleged in the complaint; and
  - (4) **Notice of the specific date, time and place for the evidentiary hearing.** Unless a different date is determined by the Commission, the date of the evidentiary hearing shall be 5 months from the date of the administrative complaint in a proceeding in which the Commission, in an ancillary proceeding, has sought or is seeking relief pursuant to Section 13(b) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. [53(b)](/usc/15/53.md?p=b), and [8](/usc/15/8.md) months from the date of issuance of the administrative complaint in all other proceedings.

## Notes

### Amendments

[74 FR 1820, Jan. 13, 2009]

### Authority

Authority: 15 U.S.C. 46.

### Source

Source: 32 FR 8449, June 13, 1967, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[74 FR 1820, Jan. 13, 2009]