Procedures To Be Followed When Formal Complaints Are Filed Against Common Carriers

The Commission adopted a Report and Order that changed the rules for processing formal complaints filed against common carriers. The Report and Order adopted rules that are necessary to implement certain provisions contained in the 1996 Act that prescribe deadlines ranging from 90 days to 5 months for resolution of certain types of complaints against common carriers. The rules adopted in the Report and Order require or encourage parties to engage in pre-filing activities, change service requirements, modify the form and content of initial pleadings, shorten filing deadlines, eliminate pleading opportunities that were not useful or necessary, and modify the discovery process.