39 CFR § 963.18 - Initial decision.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t39/s963.18"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "39 CFR § 963.18 - Initial decision."
title_number: 39
title_name: "Postal Service"
section_number: "963.18"
section_name: "Initial decision."
chapter_name: "UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE"
subchapter_number: "N"
subchapter_name: "PROCEDURES"
part_number: "963"
part_name: "PANDERING"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "39 U.S.C. 204, 401, 3008."
regulatory_source: "52 FR 18912, May 20, 1987, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "963"
---


# 963.18 Initial decision.

Unless given orally at the conclusion of the hearing, the presiding officer shall render an initial decision as expeditiously as practicable following the conclusion of the hearing and the receipt of the proposed findings and conclusions, if any. The initial decision becomes the final agency decision if a timely appeal is not taken.