Definition

Noun: - A formal proceeding conducted by a government agency: An administrative hearing is a quasi-judicial process where an administrative law judge or hearing officer examines evidence and arguments on matters within the agency's authority, outside of the traditional court system. - A mechanism for resolving disputes involving government regulations: It is a procedure to adjudicate issues related to agency rules, licenses, permits, benefits, or enforcement actions.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The company requested an administrative hearing to contest the environmental violation fine.
  • The outcome of the administrative hearing will determine if her professional license is reinstated.

Advanced Usage

• "to be subject to an administrative hearing": to be required to go through this agency-specific proceeding.
  • Appeals regarding denied benefits are subject to an administrative hearing.
• "to preside over an administrative hearing": to act as the judge or officer in charge of the proceeding.
  • The senior inspector was appointed to preside over the administrative hearing.

Variants and Related Words

• Administrative law judge (ALJ) (n): A specialized official who conducts administrative hearings.
  • The administrative law judge issued a ruling after the hearing.
• Adjudicatory hearing (n): A formal hearing to resolve a dispute, often used similarly in legal contexts.

Synonyms

• Agency proceeding: A hearing or process conducted by a government agency.
• Quasi-judicial hearing: A hearing that has some, but not all, characteristics of a court trial.

Related Phrases

• Hearing examiner: Another term for an administrative law judge or hearing officer.
  • The hearing examiner listened to testimony from both sides.
• Notice of hearing: The official document that informs parties of the time, date, and place of an administrative hearing.
  • They received a notice of hearing in the mail.

Notes on Meaning

This term specifically refers to hearings within the executive branch of government (e.g., departments of transportation, health, licensing boards) and not within the judicial branch (traditional courts). Its purpose is to allow for expert, efficient resolution of disputes involving complex government regulations.

Noun

1. a hearing that takes place outside the judicial process before hearing examiners who have been granted judicial authority specifically for the purpose of conducting such hearings