Welcome to the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). This page provides essential information for attorneys representing clients in administrative proceedings before the OAH and its Administrative Law Judges (ALJs).
Procedural Guidelines
Familiarity with the Idaho Rules of Administrative Procedure is crucial for effective representation; additionally, attorneys should make note of the following regarding OAH matters:
- Scheduling and Hearings: Upon proper request for a hearing, a scheduling conference will typically be set to establish deadlines and hearing dates. It’s important to review your calendar for any conflicts prior to this conference.
- Expedited Matters: For certain expedited matters (e.g., ITD license suspensions), an evidentiary hearing date will be set without any precedent scheduling conference; if the date set conflicts with your calendar, follow the instructions in the Notice of Hearing to seek rescheduling.
Representation in Contested Cases
Attorneys representing parties in contested case proceedings must adhere to the following guidelines:
- Licensure Requirements: Attorneys must hold an active license to practice law in the state of Idaho. Attorneys not licensed in Idaho but licensed in other jurisdictions may seek admission pro hac vice in accordance with IDAPA 62.01.01.228 (“Attorney Representatives”) and Idaho State Bar Commission Rule 227(i) (“Agency Admission”).
- Standards of Conduct: All representatives are expected to conform to the professional conduct standards required of attorneys before Idaho courts. Failure to adhere to these standards may result in exclusion from proceedings or other sanctions. See IDAPA 62.01.01.231 (“Conduct Required – Sanctions for Misconduct).
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
The OAH also offers mediation and arbitration services as alternatives to contested case hearings, and even in other non-administrative matters where an Idaho agency is involved. Attorneys are encouraged to consider these options for efficient resolution of disputes.
Other Resources
- Forms: Access certain standard forms for proceedings on our Forms page.
- Statutes and Rules: Review other agency-specific statutes and rules governing contested case procedures on our Statutes and Rules page.
- Code of Conduct: Understand the ethical guidelines for ALJs (and independent contract hearing officers) by visiting our Code of Conduct page.
Contact Information
For further assistance or inquiries, visit our Contact Us page.
We are committed to supporting attorneys in providing effective representation in administrative proceedings. Please reach out with any questions or for additional information.