Simple English definitions for legal terms
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The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) is a law that tells government agencies how to make rules and solve problems. It has rules for how agencies can make rules (called "rulemaking") and how they can solve problems (called "adjudication"). There are different rules for when agencies have to follow strict procedures (called "formal") and when they can be more flexible (called "informal"). The APA helps make sure that government agencies are fair and follow the rules when they make decisions.
The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) is a federal law that outlines the procedures for administrative law. This law governs how federal administrative agencies make rules and how they handle administrative litigation. The APA is codified in 5 U.S.C. §§ 551–559.
Here are some examples of how the APA applies to different types of administrative actions:
These examples illustrate how the APA provides different procedures for different types of administrative actions. The APA helps ensure that federal administrative agencies follow a consistent and fair process when making rules or resolving disputes.
Administrative Office of the United States Courts | Administrative Procedure Act (APA)