Section 53-4-004 - Commencement of a contested case004.01 The contested case begins with the filing of a petition and request for hearing, if applicable, with the agency. The petition is the initial document filed by or with an agency that sets forth a claim and request for agency action.004.02 The parties to a contested case shall be the petitioner or person by whom a contested case is brought and the respondent or person against whom a contested case is brought.004.03 A party may appear on his or her own behalf in a contested case proceeding or may be represented by an attorney or other representative as permitted by law.004.04 The pleadings in a contested case may include a petition, answer, reply, notice, motion, stipulation, objection or order or other formal written document filed in a proceeding before an agency. Any pleading filed in a contested case shall meet the following requirements: 004.04A The pleading shall contain a heading specifying the name of the agency and the title or nature of the pleading, shall state material factual allegations and state concisely the action the agency is being requested to take, shall contain the name and address of the petitioner, and shall be signed by the party filing the pleading, or when represented by an attorney, the signature of that attorney. 004.04A1 Attorneys shall also include their address, telephone number and bar number.004.04A2 The initial petition shall also contain the name and address of the respondent.004.04B All pleadings shall be made on white, letter-sized (81/2 x 11) paper and shall be legibly typewritten, photostatically reproduced, printed or handwritten. If handwritten, a pleading must be written in ink.004.05 All pleadings shall be filed with the agency at its official office. Filing may be accomplished by personal delivery or mail and will be received during regular office hours of the agency.004.06 The agency shall serve a copy of the petition on each respondent listed in the petition personally or by first-class or certified mail. Written proof of such service shall be filed with the agency. Each respondent who chooses to file a responsive pleading must do so within 20 days from the date of personal service or the date of agency mailing of the petition.004.07 All pleadings subsequent to the initial petition shall be served by the party filing such pleading upon all attorneys of record or other representatives of record and upon all unrepresented parties. Service shall be made personally or by first-class or certified mail. Written proof of such service shall be filed with the agency.004.08 Unless state law provides that a hearing is not required, a hearing date shall be set by the agency in accordance with statutory requirements. A written notice of the time and place of hearing and the name of the hearing officer, if known, shall be served by the agency upon all attorneys of record or other representatives of record and upon all unrepresented parties. The notice must include a proof of such service and will be filed with the agency.004.09 In computing time prescribed or allowed by chapter 4 of these rules and regulations or by any applicable statute in which the method of computing time is not specifically provided, days will be computed by excluding the day of the act or event and including the last day of the period. If the last day of the period falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or state holiday, the period shall include the next working day.53 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 4, § 004