32 CFR § 776.78 - Informal complaints.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t32/s776.78"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "32 CFR § 776.78 - Informal complaints."
title_number: 32
title_name: "National Defense"
section_number: "776.78"
section_name: "Informal complaints."
chapter_name: "DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY"
subchapter_number: "G"
subchapter_name: "MISCELLANEOUS RULES"
part_number: "776"
part_name: "PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OF ATTORNEYS PRACTICING UNDER THE COGNIZANCE AND SUPERVISION OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "10 U.S.C. 806, 806a, 826, 827, 1044; Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 2012; U.S. Navy Regulations, 1990; Department of Defense Instruction 1442.02 (series); Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5430.27 (series), Responsibility of the Judge Advocate General of the Navy and the Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps for Supervision and Provision of Certain Legal Services."
regulatory_source: "80 FR 68389, Nov. 4, 2015; 80 FR 73991, Nov. 27, 2015, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "776"
---


# 776.78 Informal complaints.

Informal, anonymous, or “hot line” type complaints alleging professional misconduct must be referred to the appropriate authority (such as the JAG Inspector General or the concerned supervisory attorney) for inquiry. Such complaints are not, by themselves, cognizable under this subpart but may, if reasonably confirmed, be the basis of a formal complaint described in § 776.79 of this part.