A formal request. Petitioner One of the parties to a case. The petitioner is called this because he or she is petitioning or asking for something. The other party might be called the respondent , or might be an administrative agency. Pleading A legal document in which a party sets forth a claim, response, or request.
Examples are notices of action by administrative agencies, complaints , and requests for hearings.
A conference between the administrative law judge and the parties , usually by telephone, in which procedural issues are discussed. These may include the date and time of the hearing, deadlines for exchanging evidence , as well as clarification about what the hearing issues will be. All or part of a prehearing conference with the administrative law judge will usually be tape recorded for the hearing record. In this prehearing conference they will clarify to each other their positions, their evidence, and negotiate to see if all or some of the issues can be resolved before the hearing. The person who conducts a hearing.