9215. Answer to Complaint

(a) Form, Service, Notice

Pursuant to Rule 9133, each Respondent named in a complaint shall serve an answer to the complaint on all other Parties within 25 days after service of the complaint on such Respondent, and at the time of service shall file such answer with the Office of Hearing Officers pursuant to Rules 9135, 9136 and 9137. The Hearing Officer assigned to a disciplinary proceeding pursuant to Rule 9213 may extend such period for good cause. Upon the receipt of a Respondent's answer, the Office of Hearing Officers shall promptly send written notice of the receipt of such answer to all Parties.

(b) Content, Affirmative Defenses

Unless otherwise ordered by the Hearing Officer, an answer shall specifically admit, deny, or state that the Respondent does not have and is unable to obtain sufficient information to admit or deny, each allegation in the complaint. When a Respondent intends to deny only part of an allegation, the Respondent shall specify so much of it as is admitted and deny only the remainder. A statement of lack of information shall be deemed a denial. Any allegation not denied in whole or in part shall be deemed admitted. Any affirmative defense shall be asserted in the answer.

(c) Motion for More Definite Statement

A Respondent may file with an answer a motion for a more definite statement of specified matters of fact or law to be considered or determined. Such motion shall state why each such matter of fact or law should be required to be made more definite. If the motion is granted, the order granting such motion shall set the periods for filing such a statement and any answer thereto.

(d) Amendments to Answer

Upon motion by a Respondent, the Hearing Officer may, after considering good cause shown by the Respondent and any unfair prejudice which may result to any other Party, permit an answer to be amended.

(e) Extension of Time to Answer Amended Complaint

If a complaint is amended pursuant to Rule 9212(b), the time for filing an answer or amended answer shall be the greater of the original time period within which the Respondent is required to respond, or 14 days after service of the amended complaint. If any Respondent has already filed an answer, such Respondent shall have 14 days after service of the amended complaint, unless otherwise ordered by the Hearing Officer, within which to file an amended answer.

(f) Failure to Answer, Default

If a Respondent does not file an answer or make any other filing or request related to the complaint with the Office of Hearing Officers within the time required, the Department of Enforcement shall send a second notice to such Respondent requiring an answer within 14 days after service of the second notice. The second notice shall state that failure of the Respondent to reply within the period specified shall allow the Hearing Officer, in the exercise of his or her discretion, pursuant to Rule 9269 to: (1) treat as admitted by the Respondent the allegations in the complaint; and (2) issue a default decision against the Respondent. If the Respondent fails to file an answer with the Office of Hearing Officers within the time required, the Hearing Officer may issue a default decision against the Respondent pursuant to Rule 9269.