[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 20, Volume 2] [Revised as of April 1, 2004] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 20CFR498.205] [Page 1202] TITLE 20--EMPLOYEES' BENEFITS CHAPTER III--SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION PART 498_CIVIL MONETARY PENALTIES, ASSESSMENTS AND RECOMMENDED EXCLUSIONS --Table of Contents Sec. 498.205 Ex parte contacts. No party or person (except employees of the ALJ's office) will communicate in any way with the ALJ on any matter at issue in a case, unless on notice and opportunity for all parties to participate. This provision does not prohibit a person or party from inquiring about the status of a case or asking routine questions concerning administrative functions or procedures. [61 FR 65469, Dec. 13, 1996]