---
kind: "section"
citation: "39 C.F.R. § 961.12"
title: "39"
number: "961.12"
heading: "(Rule 12) Ex parte communications."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/39/961.12"
---

# §961.12. (Rule 12) Ex parte communications.


Except as described in this section, a party may not communicate with a Hearing Official or other member of the Judicial Officer Department without the other party present. Exceptions:

- (a) A Hearing Official or other member of the Judicial Officer Department may talk to a party individually to discuss procedural matters.
- (b) A Hearing Official may talk to a party individually when a telephone conference or hearing has been scheduled and the other party does not appear.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 39 U.S.C. 204, 401; 5 U.S.C. 5514.

### Source

Source: 90 FR 9220, Feb. 10, 2025, unless otherwise noted.