[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 5, Volume 3] [Revised as of January 1, 2008] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 5CFR1201.28] [Page 19] TITLE 5--ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL CHAPTER II--MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD PART 1201_PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES--Table of Contents Subpart B_Procedures for Appellate Cases Sec. 1201.28 Case suspension procedures. (a) Joint requests. The parties may submit a joint request for additional time to pursue discovery or settlement. Upon receipt of such request, an order suspending processing of the case for a period up to 30 days may be issued at the discretion of the judge. (b) Unilateral requests. In lieu of participating in a joint request, either party may submit a unilateral request for additional time to pursue discovery as provided in this subpart. Unilateral requests for additional time of up to 30 days may be granted for good cause shown at the discretion of the judge. (c) Time for filing requests. The parties must file a joint request that the adjudication of the appeal be suspended within 45 days of the date of the acknowledgment order (or within 7 days of the appellant's receipt of the agency file, whichever date is later). (d) Untimely requests. The judge may consider requests for suspensions that are filed after the time limit set forth in paragraph (c) of this section. Such requests may be granted at the discretion of the judge. (e) Early termination of suspension period. The suspension period may be terminated prior to the end of the agreed upon period if the parties request the judge's assistance relative to discovery or settlement during the suspension period and the judge's involvement pursuant to that request is likely to be extensive. (f) Limitation on suspension period. No case may be suspended for more than a total of 30 days under the provisions of this section. [68 FR 54651, Sept. 18, 2003] Parties, Representatives, and Witnesses