---
kind: "section"
citation: "39 C.F.R. § 954.20"
title: "39"
number: "954.20"
heading: "Appeals."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/39/954.20"
---

# §954.20. Appeals.

- (a) A party may appeal to the Judicial Officer from an initial decision by filing exceptions in a brief on appeal within 15 days from the receipt of a written or oral initial decision.
- (b) **The time for the filing of the reply brief is 10 days after receipt of the appeal brief.** No additional briefs shall be received unless requested by the Judicial Officer.
- (c) Appeal briefs shall contain the following matter in the order indicated:
  - (1) A subject index of the matters presented with page references;
  - (2) A table of cases alphabetically arranged;
  - (3) A list of statutes and texts cited with page references;
  - (4) A concise abstract or statement of the case;
  - (5) Numbered exceptions to the findings and conclusions of the presiding officer and the reasons for the exceptions.
- (d) Reply briefs shall contain [paragraphs (c)](#c) (1), (2), and (3) of this section and the reasons for opposing the exceptions.

## Notes

### Amendments

[36 FR 11567, June 16, 1971, as amended at 38 FR 17217, June 29, 1973]

### Authority

Authority: 39 U.S.C. 204, 401, 3685; 5 U.S.C. 554.

### Source

Source: 36 FR 11567, June 16, 1971, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[36 FR 11567, June 16, 1971, as amended at 38 FR 17217, June 29, 1973]