---
kind: "section"
citation: "20 C.F.R. § 725.360"
title: "20"
number: "725.360"
heading: "Parties to proceedings."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/20/725.360"
---

# §725.360. Parties to proceedings.

- (a) Except as provided in [§ 725.361](/cfr/20/725.361.md), no person other than the Secretary of Labor and authorized personnel of the Department of Labor shall participate at any stage in the adjudication of a claim for benefits under this part, unless such person is determined by the appropriate adjudication officer to qualify under the provisions of this section as a party to the claim. The following persons shall be parties:
  - (1) The claimant;
  - (2) A person other than a claimant, authorized to execute a claim on such claimant's behalf under [§ 725.301](/cfr/20/725.301.md);
  - (3) Any coal mine operator notified under [§ 725.407](/cfr/20/725.407.md) of its possible liability for the claim;
  - (4) Any insurance carrier of such operator; and
  - (5) **The Director in all proceedings relating to a claim for benefits under this part.**
- (b) A widow, child, parent, brother, or sister, or the representative of a decedent's estate, who makes a showing in writing that his or her rights with respect to benefits may be prejudiced by a decision of an adjudication officer, may be made a party.
- (c) Any coal mine operator or prior operator or insurance carrier which has not been notified under [§ 725.407](/cfr/20/725.407.md) and which makes a showing in writing that its rights may be prejudiced by a decision of an adjudication officer may be made a party.
- (d) Any other individual may be made a party if that individual's rights with respect to benefits may be prejudiced by a decision to be made.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note (Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990); Pub. L. 114-74 at sec. 701; Reorganization Plan No. 6 of 1950, 15 FR 3174; 30 U.S.C. 901 et seq., 902(f), 921, 932, 936; 33 U.S.C. 901 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 405; Secretary's Order 10-2009, 74 FR 58834.

### Source

Source: 65 FR 80054, Dec. 20, 2000, unless otherwise noted.