(a )(1) Upon the filing of a complaint, the secretary of the Arkansas Public Service Commission shall immediately:

1. (A) Serve a copy thereof upon each respondent along with the summons in Appendix 9-1 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure, 23 CAR pt. 462; and

2. (B) Notify each respondent that:

   1. (i) The complaint must be answered in writing within twenty (20) days after the date of service; and

   2. (ii) In case of failure to answer, an order may be entered against the respondent for the relief demanded in the complaint.

      1. (2) The Arkansas Public Service Commission may, for good cause shown:
3. (A) Require the answer to be filed within a shorter time; or

4. (B) Extend the time in which an answer may be filed.

   1. (b)

      1. (1) Respondent's answer shall contain a:
5. (A) Specific denial of such material allegations of the complaint as are controverted; and

6. (B) Statement of any new matter constituting a defense.

   1. (2) If respondent has insufficient information to specifically admit or deny an allegation, respondent may so state and deny the allegation upon that ground.
   2. (c) Any respondent failing to answer within the period prescribed shall be deemed in default and all relevant basic facts stated in said complaint shall be deemed admitted, unless the Arkansas Public Service Commission waives the default for good cause shown.
   3. (d) The Arkansas Public Service Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure shall apply except as provided herein.

Codification Notes: This section was promulgated as Rule 4.02 prior to codification in the Code of Arkansas Rules.