(a) An application may be filed whenever the applicant has prevailed in the adjudicatory proceeding or in a significant and discrete substantive portion of the proceeding, subject to the separate hearing procedure pursuant to § 10.63(b) of this chapter, but in no case later than 30 days after the Commission's final disposition of the adjudicatory proceeding.

(b) If review or reconsideration is sought or taken of a decision as to which an applicant believes it has prevailed, proceedings for the award of fees shall be stayed pending final disposition of the underlying controversy.

(c) For purposes of this rule, final disposition means the later of

(1) The date on which an initial decision by the Presiding Officer becomes final pursuant to § 10.84 of this chapter;

(2) Issuance of an order disposing of any petitions for reconsideration of the Commission's final order in the proceeding pursuant to § 10.106 of the Rules of Practice;

(3) If no petition for reconsideration is filed, the last date on which such a petition could have been filed pursuant to § 10.106 of the Rules of Practice; or

(4) Issuance of a final Commission order or any other final resolution of a proceeding, such as a settlement or voluntary dismissal, which is not subject to a petition for reconsideration.