Legal Definitions - administrative adjudication

Administrative adjudication is the formal process by which a government agency resolves specific disputes or makes decisions in individual cases, applying existing laws and regulations to the particular facts presented.

Unlike rulemaking, which involves creating general rules for future application, administrative adjudication focuses on past events or current circumstances involving specific parties. This process often involves a hearing, similar to a court trial, where parties can present evidence, call witnesses, and make arguments before an administrative law judge or an agency panel. The agency then issues a binding decision based on the evidence and applicable legal standards.

• Example 1: Social Security Disability Hearing

  Imagine an individual applies for Social Security Disability benefits, claiming they can no longer work due to a severe medical condition. If their initial application is denied, they have the right to appeal. This appeal often leads to a formal hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) within the Social Security Administration. During this hearing, the individual presents medical records, testimony from doctors, and other evidence to demonstrate their disability, while the agency may present evidence to the contrary. The ALJ then makes a binding decision on whether the individual meets the legal criteria for disability under federal regulations.

  This illustrates administrative adjudication because a government agency (the Social Security Administration) is resolving a specific dispute (eligibility for benefits) for an individual by applying existing laws and regulations through a formal hearing process.

• Example 2: Environmental Violation Enforcement

  Consider a manufacturing company accused by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of violating clean air standards by releasing excessive pollutants. The EPA might initiate an administrative enforcement action, which could involve a formal hearing. During this hearing, the EPA presents evidence of the violation, and the company has the opportunity to present its defense, challenge the evidence, and argue against proposed penalties. An administrative judge or agency panel then decides whether a violation occurred and what fines or corrective actions are appropriate, based on federal environmental laws and regulations.

  This demonstrates administrative adjudication as a government agency (the EPA) is resolving a dispute (whether a violation occurred and what the consequences should be) involving a specific entity (the company) by applying environmental laws in a structured, quasi-judicial proceeding.

• Example 3: Professional License Revocation

  Suppose a state nursing board receives a complaint alleging that a licensed nurse engaged in professional misconduct, such as negligence in patient care. The board may initiate an investigation, and if sufficient evidence is found, it could schedule an administrative hearing. At this hearing, the board's legal counsel might present evidence supporting the misconduct allegations, and the nurse would have the opportunity to present their defense, cross-examine witnesses, and argue why their license should not be suspended or revoked. The board, acting as the adjudicator, then makes a decision based on the evidence and the state's professional licensing laws and ethical standards.

  This is an example of administrative adjudication because a government agency (the state nursing board) is making a binding decision about a specific individual's professional license by applying established laws and ethical codes through a formal, adversarial hearing process.