# 5 C.F.R. § 1201.130 (2026): Rights; answer to complaint

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P1201_S1201_130

## Section

- **Citation:** 5 C.F.R. § 1201.130 (2026)
- **Heading:** Rights; answer to complaint
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 5 CFR: Administrative Personnel / Chapter II: MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD / Part 1201: PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES / Subpart D: Procedures for Original Jurisdiction Cases / § 1201.130: § 1201.130   Rights › answer to complaint.

## Text

(a)
Rights.
(1) A person on whose behalf the Special Counsel brings a corrective action has a right to request intervention in the proceeding in accordance with the regulations in § 1201.34 of this part. The Clerk of the Board shall notify each such person of this right.
(2) When the Special Counsel files a complaint seeking corrective action, the judge to whom the complaint is assigned shall provide an opportunity for oral or written comments by the Special Counsel, the agency involved, and the Office of Personnel Management. 5 U.S.C. 1214(b)(3)(A).
(3) The judge to whom the complaint is assigned shall provide a person alleged to have been the subject of any prohibited personnel practice alleged in the complaint the opportunity to make written comments, regardless of whether that person has requested and been granted intervenor status. 5 U.S.C. 1214(b)(3)(B).
(b)
Filing and default.
An agency named as respondent in a Special Counsel corrective action complaint may file an answer with the judge to whom the complaint is assigned within 35 days of the date of service of the complaint. If the agency fails to answer, the failure may constitute waiver of the right to contest the allegations in the complaint. Unanswered allegations may be considered admitted and may form the basis of the judge's decision.
(c)
Content.
An answer must contain a specific denial, admission, or explanation of each fact alleged in the complaint. If the respondent agency has no knowledge of a fact, it must say so. The respondent may include statements of fact and appropriate documentation to support each denial or defense. Allegations that are unanswered or admitted in the answer may be considered true.

## Nearby sections

- [5 C.F.R. § 1201.121 (2026) § 1201.121   Scope of jurisdiction; application of subparts B, F, and H.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P1201_S1201_121.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 1201.122 (2026) § 1201.122   Filing complaint; serving documents on parties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P1201_S1201_122.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 1201.123 (2026) § 1201.123   Contents of complaint.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P1201_S1201_123.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 1201.124 (2026) § 1201.124   Rights; answer to complaint.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P1201_S1201_124.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 1201.125 (2026) § 1201.125   Administrative law judge.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P1201_S1201_125.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 1201.126 (2026) § 1201.126   Final decisions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P1201_S1201_126.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 1201.127 (2026) § 1201.127   Judicial review.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P1201_S1201_127.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 1201.128 (2026) § 1201.128   Filing complaint; serving documents on parties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P1201_S1201_128.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 1201.129 (2026) § 1201.129   Contents of complaint.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P1201_S1201_129.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 1201.130 (2026) § 1201.130   Rights; answer to complaint.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P1201_S1201_130.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 1201.131 (2026) § 1201.131   Judge.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P1201_S1201_131.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 1201.132 (2026) § 1201.132   Final decisions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P1201_S1201_132.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 1201.133 (2026) § 1201.133   Judicial review.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P1201_S1201_133.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 1201.134 (2026) § 1201.134   Deciding official; filing stay request; serving documents on parties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P1201_S1201_134.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P1201_S1201_130. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.