Protective order.

§ 33.24 Protective order. (a) A party or a prospective witness or deponent may file a motion for a protective order with respect to discovery sought by an opposing party or with respect to the hearing, seeking to limit the availability or disclosure of evidence. (b) In issuing a protective order, the ALJ may take any order which justice requires to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense, including one or more of the following: (1) That the discovery not be had. (2) That the discovery may be had only on specified terms and conditions, including a designation of the time or place. (3) That the discovery may be had only through a method of discovery other than that requested. (4) That certain matters not be inquired into, or that the scope of discovery be limited to certain matters. (5) That the discovery be conducted with no one present except persons designated by the ALJ. (6) That the contents of discovery or evidence be sealed. (7) That a deposition after being sealed be opened only by order of the ALJ. (8) That a trade secret or other confidential research, development, commercial information, or facts pertaining to any criminal investigation, proceeding, or other administrative investigation not be disclosed or be disclosed only in a designated way. (9) That the parties simultaneously file specified documents or information enclosed in sealed envelopes to be opened as directed by the ALJ. (Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(g)(3)(B)(ii))