[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 17, Volume 2]
[Revised as of April 1, 2001]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 17CFR201.161]

[Page 153-154]
 
              TITLE 17--COMMODITY AND SECURITIES EXCHANGES
 
             CHAPTER II--SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
PART 201--RULES OF PRACTICE--Table of Contents
 
                      Subpart D--Rules of Practice
 
Sec. 201.161  Extensions of time, postponements and adjournments.

    (a) Availability. Except as otherwise provided by law, the 
Commission, at any time, or the hearing officer, at any time prior to 
the filing of his or her initial decision or, if no initial decision is 
to be filed, at any time prior to the closing of the record, may, for 
good cause shown, extend or shorten any time limits prescribed by these 
Rules of Practice for the filing of any papers and may, consistent with 
paragraph (b) of this section, postpone or adjourn any hearing.
    (b) Limitations on postponements, adjournments and extensions. A 
hearing shall begin at the time and place ordered, provided that, within 
the limits provided by statute, the Commission or the hearing officer 
may for good cause shown postpone the commencement of the hearing or 
adjourn a convened hearing for a reasonable period of time or change the 
place of hearing.
    (1) Additional considerations. In considering a motion for 
postponement of the start of a hearing, adjournment once a hearing has 
begun, or extensions of time for filing papers, the hearing officer or 
the Commission shall consider, in addition to any other factors:
    (i) The length of the proceeding to date;
    (ii) The number of postponements, adjournments or extensions already 
granted;
    (iii) The stage of the proceedings at the time of the request; and
    (iv) Any other such matters as justice may require.
    (2) Time limit. Postponements, adjournments or extensions of time 
for filing papers shall not exceed 21 days unless the Commission or the 
hearing officer states on the record or sets forth in a written order 
the reasons

[[Page 154]]

why a longer period of time is necessary.