(a) Service of summonses and complaints.

1. (1) Except in cases in which the Commission is represented by legal counsel who have entered an appearance or otherwise given notice of their representation, only the General Counsel is authorized to receive and accept subpoenas, or other demands or requests directed to the Commission, or any component thereof, or its employees, or former employees, whether civil or criminal nature, for:

   1. (i) Material, including documents, contained in the files of the Commission;
   2. (ii) Information, including testimony, affidavits, declarations, admissions, responses to interrogatories, or informal statements, relating to material contained in the files of the Commission or which any Commission employee acquired in the course and scope of the performance of his official duties;
   3. (iii) Garnishment or attachment of compensation of current or former employees; or
   4. (iv) The performance or non-performance of any official Commission duty.
2. (2) All such documents should be delivered or addressed to the General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW., Washington, DC 20573.

3. (3) In the event that any subpoena, demand, or request is sought to be delivered to a Commission employee (including former employees) other than in the manner prescribed in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section, such attempted service shall be ineffective. Such employee shall, after consultation with the General Counsel:

   1. (i) Decline to accept the subpoena, demand, or request; or
   2. (ii) Return them to the server under cover of a written communication referring to the procedures prescribed in this part.
4. (4) Acceptance of such documents by the Office of the General Counsel does not constitute a waiver of any defenses that might otherwise exist with respect to service under the Federal Rules of Civil or Criminal Procedure, or other applicable laws, rules, or regulations.