[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 16, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 16CFR3.11]

[Page 47-48]
 
                     TITLE 16--COMMERCIAL PRACTICES
 
                   CHAPTER I--FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
 
PART 3_RULES OF PRACTICE FOR ADJUDICATIVE PROCEEDINGS--Table of Contents
 
                           Subpart B_Pleadings
 
Sec. 3.11  Commencement of proceedings.


    (a) Complaint. Except as provided in Sec. 3.13, an adjudicative 
proceeding is commenced when an affirmative vote is taken by the 
Commission to issue a complaint.
    (b) Form of complaint. The Commission's complaint shall contain the 
following:
    (1) Recital of the legal authority and jurisdiction for institution 
of the proceeding, with specific designation of the statutory provisions 
alleged to have been violated;
    (2) A clear and concise factual statement sufficient to inform each 
respondent with reasonable definiteness of the type of acts or practices 
alleged to be in violation of the law;
    (3) Where practical, a form of order which the Commission has reason 
to

[[Page 48]]

believe should issue if the facts are found to be as alleged in the 
complaint; and
    (4) Notice of the time and place for hearing, the time to be at 
least thirty (30) days after service of the complaint.
    (c) Motion for more definite statement. Where the respondent makes a 
reasonable showing that it cannot frame a responsive answer based on the 
allegations contained in the complaint, the respondent may move for a 
more definite statement of the charges against it before filing an 
answer. Such a motion shall be filed within ten (10) days after service 
of the complaint and shall point out the defects complained of and the 
details desired.

[32 FR 8449, June 13, 1967, as amended at 43 FR 11978, Mar. 23, 1978; 50 
FR 53305, Dec. 31, 1985]