39 CFR § 3022.12 - Pleadings filed in response to a complaint.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t39/s3022.12"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "39 CFR § 3022.12 - Pleadings filed in response to a complaint."
title_number: 39
title_name: "Postal Service"
section_number: "3022.12"
section_name: "Pleadings filed in response to a complaint."
chapter_name: "POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION"
subchapter_number: "D"
subchapter_name: "SPECIAL RULES OF PRACTICE FOR SPECIFIC PROCEEDING TYPES"
part_number: "3022"
part_name: "RULES FOR COMPLAINTS"
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. 503; 3662."
regulatory_source: "74 FR 16744, Apr. 10, 2009, unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 85 FR 9615, Feb. 19, 2020."
cfr_part: "3022"
---


# 3022.12 Pleadings filed in response to a complaint.

(a) Unless otherwise ordered by the Commission, the Postal Service shall file its answer to a complaint within 20 days after the complaint is filed.

(b) If appropriate, the Postal Service may file a dispositive motion or otherwise move to delay disposition of the complaint. If the Postal Service files such a motion, unless otherwise ordered by the Commission, the period of time for filing its answer is altered as follows:

(1) If the Commission denies the motion or postpones disposition, the answer is due within 10 days of the Commission's action; or

(2) If the Commission invokes the rate or service inquiry special procedures under § 3022.13 to the complaint, the answer is due contemporaneously with the Postal Service's report under § 3023.11 of this chapter if the complaint has not been resolved by that date.

(c) If the Postal Service answer is delayed by the filing of a motion under paragraph (b) of this section, it may not obtain a further delay by filing another motion under paragraph (b) of this section raising an issue or objection that was available to the Postal Service but omitted from its earlier motion.

[74 FR 16744, Apr. 10, 2009, as amended at 85 FR 9656, Feb. 19, 2020]