Administrative Adjudication

The process by which an ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY issues an order, such order being affirmative, negative, injunctive, or declaratory in form.

Most formal proceedings before an administrative agency follow the process of either rule making or adjudication. Rule making formulates policy by setting rules for the future conduct of persons governed by that agency. Adjudication applies the agency's policy to the past actions of a particular party, and it results in an order for or against that party. Both methods are strictly regulated by the law of administrative procedure.