Sec. 1.313  Protective orders.

    The use of the procedures set forth in Secs. 1.311 through 1.325 of 
this part is subject to control by the presiding officer, who may issue 
any order consistent with the provisions of those sections which is 
appropriate and just for the purpose of protecting parties and deponents 
or of providing for the proper conduct of the proceeding. Whenever doing 
so would be conducive to the efficient and expeditious conduct of the 
proceeding, the presiding officer may convene a conference to hear 
argument and issue a ruling on any disputes that may arise under these 
rules. The ruling, whether written or delivered on the record at a 
conference, may specify any measures, including the following to assure 
proper conduct of the proceeding or to protect any party or deponent 
from annoyance, expense, embarassment or oppression:
    (a) That depositions shall not be taken or that interrogatories 
shall not be answered.
    (b) That certain matters shall not be inquired into.
    (c) That the scope of the examination or interrogatories shall be 
limited to certain matters.
    (d) That depositions may be taken only at some designated time or 
place, or before an officer, other than that stated in the notice.
    (e) That depositions may be taken only by written interrogatories or 
only upon oral examination.
    (f) That, after being sealed, the deposition shall be opened only by 
order of the presiding officer.
[ 33 FR 463 , Jan. 12, 1968, as amended at  56 FR 794 , Jan. 9, 1991]