33 CFR § 20.710 - Proposed findings, closing arguments, and briefs.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s20.710"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 20.710 - Proposed findings, closing arguments, and briefs."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "20.710"
section_name: "Proposed findings, closing arguments, and briefs."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "A"
subchapter_name: "GENERAL"
part_number: "20"
part_name: "RULES OF PRACTICE, PROCEDURE, AND EVIDENCE FOR FORMAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COAST GUARD"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "33 U.S.C. 1321; 42 U.S.C. 9609; 46 U.S.C. 7701, 7702; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1, para. 2(73)."
regulatory_source: "CGD 98-3472, 64 FR 28062, May 24, 1999, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "20"
---


# 20.710 Proposed findings, closing arguments, and briefs.

(a) Before the ALJ closes the hearing, he or she may hear oral argument so far as he or she deems appropriate.

(b) Before the ALJ decides the case, and upon terms he or she finds reasonable, any party may file a brief, proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, or both. Any party may waive this right. If all parties waive it, then the ALJ may issue an oral order at the close of the hearing.

(c) Any oral argument, brief, or proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law form part of the record of the proceeding, as described in § 20.903.