The Social Security Administration is announcing changes in the addresses it uses for service of process. This will appear in the Federal Register tomorrow but you can read it today. To explain to lay folks, if you sue someone you have to let them know. This is called service of process. If you're suing Social Security, you have to mail the notice, called a summons, to them. They get to pick what address you send it to. Social Security has made it somewhat complex by having different addresses depending upon exactly which federal court district the lawsuit is filed in. They've now changed some of those addresses.
In two of the Federal Court Districts I work in we serve the U.S. Attorney General, U.S. Attorney and the SSA Regional Counsel by e-mail. This procedure was started about two years ago. The idea was generated by a Federal Court Social Security practice committee composed of one of the Magistrate Judges, the Court Clerk, an Assistant United States Attorney and two attorneys. I am one of the attorneys on the committee. The committee also agreed that the U.S. Attorney does not need to file an Answer. Finally, the committee agreed that Briefs in Social Security Disability cases could be up to 15 pages instead of the previous 10 pages. Many years ago, we were limited to five page briefs.
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ReplyDeleteOur local rules are 25 pages opening, 15 pages reply. Still, we usually keep it to around 15 pages...5 pages would be pretty straining. 10 pages would be feasible in some cases. Our local rules might play a role though. Large margins, 13pt+ font, double spaced, etc. If 12pt, with normal margins, and double spaced briefing were allowed, 10 pages might be sufficient. Not filing an answer makes sense. Emailing service sounds like a great idea.