(a) General application. These rules of practice are generally
applicable to adjudicatory proceedings before the Office of
Administrative Law Judges, United States Department of Labor. Such
proceedings shall be conducted expeditiously and the parties shall make
every effort at each stage of a proceeding to avoid delay. To the extent
that these rules may be inconsistent with a rule of special application
as provided by statute, executive order, or regulation, the latter is
controlling. The Rules of Civil Procedure for the District Courts of the
United States shall be applied in any situation not provided for or
controlled by these rules, or by any statute, executive order or
regulation.
(b) Waiver, modification, or suspension. Upon notice to all parties,
the administrative law judge may, with respect to matters pending before
him or her, modify or waive any rule herein upon a determination that no
party will be prejudiced and that the ends of justice will be served
thereby. These rules may, from time to time, be suspended, modified or
revoked in whole or part.