11—7.11(8A,17A) Pleadings.

1. 7.11(1)  Pleadings may be required by rule, by the notice of hearing or by order of the presiding officer.

2. 7.11(2)  Petition. When an action of the department is appealed and pleadings are required under subrule 7.11(1), the aggrieved party shall file the petition.

   1. a. Any required petition shall be filed within 20 days of delivery of the notice of hearing, unless otherwise ordered.

   2. b. The petition shall state in separately numbered paragraphs the following:

      1. (1) On whose behalf the petition is filed;
      2. (2) The particular provisions of the statutes and rules involved;
      3. (3) The relief demanded and the facts and law relied upon for relief; and
      4. (4) The name, address and telephone number of the petitioner and the petitioner’s attorney, if any.

3. 7.11(3)  Answer. If pleadings are required, the answer shall be filed within 20 days of service of the petition or notice of hearing, unless otherwise ordered.

   1. a. Any party may move to dismiss or apply for a more definite, detailed statement when appropriate.
   2. b. The answer shall show on whose behalf it is filed and specifically admit, deny or otherwise answer all material allegations of the pleading to which it responds. It shall state any facts deemed to show an affirmative defense and may contain as many defenses as the pleader may claim.
   3. c. The answer shall state the name, address and telephone number of the person filing the answer and of the attorney representing that person, if any.
   4. d. Any allegation in the petition not denied in the answer is considered admitted. The presiding officer may refuse to consider any defense not raised in the answer which could have been raised on the basis of facts known when the answer was filed if any party would be prejudiced.
4. 7.11(4)  Amendment. Any notice of hearing, petition or other charging document may be amended before a responsive pleading has been filed. Amendments to pleadings after a responsive pleading has been filed and to an answer may be allowed with the consent of the other parties or in the discretion of the presiding officer who may impose terms or grant a continuance.