Final answer:
A firm is obligated to respond in writing to a district hearing panel complaint by a specific deadline as per the administrative procedures in the relevant fields. The process resembles that of legislative committees during the hearing process for bills. The timeframe for response varies and should be checked against the panel's guidelines.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a district hearing panel receives a complaint and sends a copy to the firm involved, it is generally expected that the firm should provide a response in writing by a specified deadline. This protocol follows the administrative procedures which may be in place for regulatory bodies or professional associations that oversee conduct within relevant fields.
The process is akin to legislative committees which sometimes accept written statements from the public concerning a bill during the hearing process. In such cases, there could be a standard response time that the firms or individuals are expected to adhere to. As the quote mentioned, principal officers in executive departments may also be required to provide opinions in writing on subjects related to their duties, suggesting a formal process of responses in administrative or legal contexts.
The exact timeframe for a response can vary depending on the regulations of the specific district hearing panel or the governing body's rules. The firm should refer to the notice they received or the panel's guidelines to determine their response deadline.