39 CFR § 961.12 - (Rule 12) Ex parte communications.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t39/s961.12"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "39 CFR § 961.12 - (Rule 12) Ex parte communications."
title_number: 39
title_name: "Postal Service"
section_number: "961.12"
section_name: "(Rule 12) Ex parte communications."
chapter_name: "UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE"
subchapter_number: "N"
subchapter_name: "PROCEDURES"
part_number: "961"
part_name: "DEBT COLLECTION ACT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST CURRENT EMPLOYEES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "39 U.S.C. 204, 401; 5 U.S.C. 5514."
regulatory_source: "90 FR 9220, Feb. 10, 2025, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "961"
---


# 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.