13.13 The Director shall cause the date of filing to be noted of each notice of appeal. An appeals docket shall be maintained upon which each appeal shall be docketed in the order filed, be numbered consecutively, and be given an appropriate title. Promptly after docketing the authority or person against whose action the appeal is directed shall be notified of the appeal.

13.14 Summary Disposition of Appeal.

(a) At any time after the docketing of an appeal a written request may be filed by any interested party for summary disposition thereof on any of the following grounds:

That the Commission lacks jurisdiction of the subject matter, or of the person against whom relief is sought.
That the appellant has no legal right to appeal.
That the appeal has not been made in the required manner or within the prescribed period of delay.
That the appeal has become moot.
That an appellant has failed to appear at the time fixed for the hearing of his appeal, without having been granted a continuance.
That the written notice expressing the cause for the action complained against is insufficient; or, that the cause as expressed does not constitute legal ground for the disciplinary action.
That the disciplinary action was not taken by the proper appointing authority.

(b) Any request for summary disposition when made prior to the date fixed for the hearing of the appeal may be supported by admissions of fact and written argument or brief; provided, that

Before filing, the Director shall require proof of service of a copy of each such instrument on the adverse party, together with the date of such service; and
The adverse party shall have fifteen (l5) calendar days after such service, or until the date of the hearing, whichever is sooner, to file with the Director an opposition to the request which opposition may be supported by written argument or brief.

(c) If the Commission or a referee denies the request or refers it to the merits, it or he may reconsider same at any time prior to its or his final disposition of the appeal.

(d) The Commission or a referee, on its or his own motion, may at any time summarily dispose of an appeal on any of the grounds listed in Subsection (a) hereof or in accordance with the provisions of Rule 13.19(e).

(e) When the Commission summarily disposes of an appeal, its decision shall be final on the date it files its written decision with the Director disposing of the case. On the same date that the decision is filed with the Director, the Director shall mail a copy of the decision to the parties. When a referee summarily disposes of an appeal his decision shall be final in accordance with the provisions of Rules 13.20 and 13.36.

(f) By filing with the Director a written notice of his intention to do so, an appellant may withdraw or abandon his appeal at any time prior to the hearing thereof by the Commission or a referee if his request is approved by the Director. After an appeal has been heard by the Commission or a referee, it may be withdrawn or abandoned only with approval of the Commission or the referee. The Director shall promptly notify all interested parties of any such withdrawal or abandonment.

13.15 Assigning Appeals for Hearing.

The Director shall fix the time and place for the hearing of appeals by the Commission, and, as far as practicable, shall fix them in the order in which docketed, provided that, for good cause shown, the Commission, its Chairman, or the Director may upset any fixing and may either relegate the case for refixing to the foot of the docket or give it a special assignment both as to time and place. If a referee has been appointed to hear an appeal, he shall fix the time and place for hearing the appeal and may upset and refix same.

13.16 Place of Hearing.

(a) Subject to the provisions of Subsection (b) hereof all appeals before the Commission shall be heard in a convenient place, accessible to the public, in the City of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, selected by the Director.

(b) If the Commission or the Director deems that the interest of the State or of any agency thereof, or the location of the parties or witnesses, or the ends of justice so require, he may order that hearings before the Commission be held in any other convenient place of public accessibility within the State other than the City of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

(d) Repealed effective January 1, 1975.

(f) All appeals before a referee shall be heard in a convenient place, accessible to the public, selected by the referee.

13.17 Notice of Hearing of Appeals.

(a) For all hearings conducted after July 1, 1982, and subject to the provision of Sub-section (b) hereof, notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing shall be mailed to the appellant and to the authority against whose action the appeal has been taken at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the date of the hearing.

(b) With the approval of the Commission, the Director, or the appropriate referee, and by consent of all interested parties, said notice and delay may be waived.

13.18 Continuance of Appeal.

(a) An appeal fixed for hearing may be continued, without prejudice to the appellant.

By the Director, or the appropriate referee in a referred case, upon submission of justifications deemed adequate by the Director or the referee; or

By the Commission or its Chairman, for cause deemed sufficient by it; or him; or

If it is not reached for hearing.

(b) With the approval of the Commission, the Director, or the appropriate referee, an appeal fixed for hearing may be continued by consent of all interested parties. If an appellant requests a continuance the Commission or the referee, may, in its or his discretion, deny him any compensation for that portion of time lost by reason of the continuance if his appeal be finally sustained.

(d) An appeal fixed for hearing and not reached shall be refixed by preference over any appeal continued for any other reason and any appeal subsequently docketed.