§ 521.24 Protective order.

(a) A party or a prospective witness or deponent may file a motion for a protective order with respect to discovery sought by an opposing party or, with respect to the hearing, seeking to limit the availability or disclosure of evidence. (b) In issuing a protective order, the ALJ may make any order which justice requires to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense, including one or more of the following: (1) That the discovery not be had; (2) That the discovery may be had only on specified terms and conditions, including a designation of the time or place; (3) That the discovery may be had only through a method of discovery other than that requested; (4) That certain matters not be inquired into, or that the scope of discovery be limited to certain matters; (5) That discovery be conducted with no one present except persons designated by the ALJ; (6) That the contents of discovery or evidence be sealed; (7) That a deposition after being sealed be opened only by order of the ALJ; (8) That a trade secret or other confidential research, development, commercial information, or facts pertaining to any criminal investigation, proceeding or other administrative investigation not be disclosed or be disclosed only in a designated way; or (9) That the parties simultaneously file specified documents or information enclosed in sealed envelopes to be opened as directed by the ALJ.