6 CFR § 13.24 - Protective order.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t6/s13.24"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "6 CFR § 13.24 - Protective order."
title_number: 6
title_name: "Domestic Security"
section_number: "13.24"
section_name: "Protective order."
chapter_name: "DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY"
part_number: "13"
part_name: "ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES FOR FALSE CLAIMS AND STATEMENTS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "Pub. L. 107-296, 116 Stat. 2135 (6 U.S.C., Ch. 1, sections 101 ); 5 U.S.C. 301; 31 U.S.C. 3801-3812."
regulatory_source: "70 FR 59211, Oct. 12, 2005, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "13"
---


# 13.24 Protective order.

(a) A party or a prospective witness or deponent may file a motion for a protective order with respect to discovery sought by an opposing party or with respect to the hearing, seeking to limit the availability or disclosure of evidence.

(b) In issuing a protective order, the Presiding Officer may Make any order that justice requires to protect a party or Person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense, including one or more of the following:

(1) That the discovery not be had;

(2) That the discovery may be had only on specified terms and conditions, including a designation of the time or place;

(3) That the discovery may be had only through a method of discovery other than that requested;

(4) That certain matters not be inquired into, or that the scope of discovery be limited to certain matters;

(5) That discovery be conducted with no one present except Persons designated by the Presiding Officer;

(6) That the contents of discovery or evidence be sealed;

(7) That a deposition after being sealed be opened only by order of the Presiding Officer;

(8) That a trade secret or other confidential research, development, commercial information, or facts pertaining to any criminal investigation, proceeding, or other administrative investigation not be disclosed or be disclosed only in a designated way; and

(9) That the parties simultaneously submit to the Presiding Officer specified Documents or information enclosed in sealed envelopes to be opened as directed by the Presiding Officer.