Definition

Noun: 1. An official appointed by a government agency to conduct an investigation or administrative hearing: A hearing officer is a neutral official who presides over hearings, gathers evidence, and makes findings of fact or recommendations to help a government agency make a final decision in accordance with its legal authority.

Usage

• The term is used in administrative law contexts. A hearing officer acts in a quasi-judicial capacity, ensuring a fair process is followed.
• The hearing officer's role is to manage the hearing, rule on procedural matters, and evaluate evidence, but the final decision is often made by the agency itself based on the officer's report.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The hearing officer listened to testimony from both sides before issuing a preliminary finding.
  • A fair hearing requires an impartial hearing officer.
  • The company appealed the decision, arguing the hearing officer had misinterpreted the regulations.

Advanced Usage

• "Presiding hearing officer": Emphasizes the officer's role in managing and controlling the hearing process.
  • The presiding hearing officer maintained strict order during the contentious proceedings.
• "Administrative hearing officer": A more specific term often used interchangeably with "hearing officer."
  • The dispute was settled by an administrative hearing officer from the environmental protection agency.

Variants and Related Words

• Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) (n): A type of hearing officer with greater independent decision-making authority in some jurisdictions. An ALJ can often issue a final, binding decision.
  • The case was decided by an Administrative Law Judge.
• Adjudicator (n): A general term for a person who makes an official judgment. A hearing officer is a type of adjudicator.
  • The adjudicator reviewed all the documentary evidence.

Synonyms

• Hearing examiner: A direct synonym, commonly used in official contexts.
• Tribunal officer: Used in some Commonwealth legal systems for a similar role.

Related Phrases

• "To appear before a hearing officer": To participate in a hearing presided over by a hearing officer.
  • The licensee was required to appear before a hearing officer.
• "The hearing officer's report": The document containing the findings and recommendations submitted to the agency.
  • The final order was based on the hearing officer's report.

Noun

1. an official appointed by a government agency to conduct an investigation or administrative hearing so that the agency can exercise its statutory powers