§ 386.46 Depositions.

(a) When, how, and by whom taken. The deposition of any witness may be taken at any stage of the proceeding at reasonable times. Depositions may be taken by oral examination or upon written interrogatories before any person having power to administer oaths.

(b) Application. Any party desiring to take the deposition of a witness shall indicate to the witness and all other parties the time when, the place where, and the name and post office address of the person before whom the deposition is to be taken; the name and address of each witness; and the subject matter concerning which each such witness is expected to testify.

(c) Notice. Notice shall be given for the taking of a deposition, which shall be not less than 5 days written notice when the deposition is to be taken within the continental United States and not less than 20 days written notice when the deposition is to be taken elsewhere.

(d) Taking and receiving in evidence. Each witness testifying upon deposition shall be sworn, and any other party shall have the right to cross-examine. The questions propounded and the answers thereto, together with all objections made, shall be reduced to writing; read by or to, and subscribed by the witness; and certified by the person administering the oath. Thereafter, such officer shall seal the deposition in an envelope and mail the same by certified mail to the Assistant Administrator or the administrative law judge, if one has been appointed. Subject to such objections to the questions and answers as were noted at the time of taking the deposition and which would have been valid if the witness were personally present and testifying, such deposition may be read and offered in evidence by the party taking it as against any party who was present or represented at the taking of the deposition or who had due notice thereof.

(e) Motion to terminate or limit examination. During the taking of a deposition, a party or deponent may request suspension of the deposition on grounds of bad faith in the conduct of the examination, oppression of a deponent or party or improper questions propounded. The deposition will then be adjourned. However, the objecting party or deponent must immediately move the Assistant Administrator or administrative law judge for a ruling on his or her objections to the deposition conduct or proceedings. The Assistant Administrator or administrative law judge may then limit the scope or manner of the taking of the deposition.