25 CFR § 2.503 - May an appeal be dismissed without a decision on the merits?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t25/s2.503"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "25 CFR § 2.503 - May an appeal be dismissed without a decision on the merits?"
title_number: 25
title_name: "Indians"
section_number: "2.503"
section_name: "May an appeal be dismissed without a decision on the merits?"
chapter_name: "BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR"
subchapter_number: "A"
subchapter_name: "PROCEDURES AND PRACTICE"
part_number: "2"
part_name: "APPEALS FROM ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "43 U.S.C. 1457; 25 U.S.C. 9; 5 U.S.C. 301."
regulatory_source: "88 FR 53779, Aug. 9, 2023, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "2"
---


# 2.503 May an appeal be dismissed without a decision on the merits?

Yes, the reviewing official may dismiss an appeal without a decision on the merits when:

(a) You are late in filing your appeal;

(b) You lack standing because you do not meet the requirements of § 2.200 for bringing an appeal;

(c) You have withdrawn the appeal;

(d) You have failed to pay a required appeal bond;

(e) The reviewing official lacks the authority to grant the requested relief;

(f) If you are represented and your representative does not meet the standards established in 43 CFR part 1 related to eligibility to practice before the Department, and you have failed to substitute yourself or an eligible representative after being given an opportunity to do so; or

(g) The reviewing official determines there are other circumstances that warrant a dismissal and explains those circumstances in the dismissal order.