Wilson v. Wilson

Even without a showing of prejudice, the majority opinion will require the reversal of any bench trial in which the trial judge denied a party’s request to present closing argument. Although the rule is clear in Georgia that parties have an absolute right to closing argument in a jury trial,1 there is no justifiable reason to extend that rule to bench trials. Because there is no evidence that the trial judge’s decision not to hear closing arguments in this case harmed either of the parties, there is no need to reverse the entire case. Accordingly, I dissent.

The majority cites no Georgia case…