At the FCC, “ex parte” describes a communication directed to the merits or outcome of a proceeding that, if written, is not served on all of the parties to the proceeding and, if oral, is made without giving all the parties to the proceeding advance notice and an opportunity to be present. Our ex parte rules play an important role in protecting the fairness of the FCC's proceedings by assuring that FCC decisions are not influenced by impermissible off-the-record communications between decision-makers and others. At the same time, the rules are designed to ensure that the FCC has sufficient flexibility to obtain the information necessary for making expert decisions.
Guides
- How to File a Notice of an Ex Parte Presentation
- How to Report a Suspected Violation of Ex Parte Rules
