# 16 CFR § 3.11: Commencement of proceedings

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-3.11

## Section

- **Citation:** 16 CFR § 3.11
- **Heading:** Commencement of proceedings
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 16—Commercial Practices > CHAPTER I—FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION > SUBCHAPTER A—ORGANIZATION, PROCEDURES AND RULES OF PRACTICE > PART 3—RULES OF PRACTICE FOR ADJUDICATIVE PROCEEDINGS > Subpart B—Pleadings

## Text

(a) Complaint. Except as provided in § 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 believe should issue if the facts are found to be as alleged in the complaint; and
(4) Notice of the specific date, time and place for the evidentiary hearing. Unless a different date is determined by the Commission, the date of the evidentiary hearing shall be 5 months from the date of the administrative complaint in a proceeding in which the Commission, in an ancillary proceeding, has sought or is seeking relief pursuant to Section 13(b) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 53(b), and 8 months from the date of issuance of the administrative complaint in all other proceedings.
[74 FR 1820, Jan. 13, 2009]

## Nearby sections

- [16 CFR § 3.1 § 3.1 Scope of the rules in this part; expedition of proceedings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-3.1.md)
- [16 CFR § 3.2 § 3.2 Nature of adjudicative proceedings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-3.2.md)
- [16 CFR § 3.11 § 3.11 Commencement of proceedings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-3.11.md)
- [16 CFR § 3.12 § 3.12 Answer.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-3.12.md)
- [16 CFR § 3.13 § 3.13 Adjudicative hearing on issues arising in rulemaking proceedings under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-3.13.md)
- [16 CFR § 3.14 § 3.14 Intervention.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-3.14.md)
- [16 CFR § 3.15 § 3.15 Amendments and supplemental pleadings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-3.15.md)
- [16 CFR § 3.21 § 3.21 Prehearing procedures.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-3.21.md)
- [16 CFR § 3.22 § 3.22 Motions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-3.22.md)
- [16 CFR § 3.23 § 3.23 Interlocutory appeals.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-3.23.md)
- [16 CFR § 3.24 § 3.24 Summary decisions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-3.24.md)
- [16 CFR § 3.25 § 3.25 Consent agreement settlements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-3.25.md)
- [16 CFR § 3.26 § 3.26 Motions following denial of preliminary injunctive relief.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-3.26.md)
- [16 CFR § 3.31 § 3.31 General discovery provisions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-3.31.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-3.11. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.