37 CFR 10.135
Service of complaint.

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§10.135 Service of complaint.

(a)

A complaint may be served on a respondent in any of the following methods:

(1)

By handing a copy of the complaint personally to the respondent, in which case the individual handing the complaint to the respondent shall file an affidavit with the Director indicating the time and place the complaint was handed to the respondent.

(2)

By mailing a copy of the complaint by "Express Mail" or first-class mail to:

(i)

A registered practitioner at the address for which separate notice was last received by the Director or

(ii)

A non-registered practitioner at the last address for the respondent known to the Director.

(3)

By any method mutually agreeable to the Director and the respondent.

(b)

If a complaint served by mail under paragraph (a)(2) of this section is returned by the U.S. Postal Service, the Director shall mail a second copy of the complaint to the respondent. If the second copy of the complaint is also returned by the U.S. Postal Service, the Director shall serve the respondent by publishing an appropriate notice in the Official Gazette for four consecutive weeks, in which case the time for answer shall be at least thirty days from the fourth publication of the notice.

(c)

If a respondent is a registered practitioner, the Director may serve simultaneously with the complaint a letter under § 10.11(b). The Director may require the respondent to answer the § 10.11(b) letter within a period of not less than 15 days. An answer to the § 10.11(b) letter shall constitute proof of service. If the respondent fails to answer the § 10.11(b) letter, his or her name will be removed from the register as provided by § 10.11(b).

(d)

If the respondent is represented by an attorney under § 10.140(a), a copy of the complaint shall also be served on the attorney.