Sentence:  Petitioner first contends that the Department denied him procedural <WSD>due</WSD> process by not giving him timely opportunity , before its final recommendation to the appeal board , to answer the statement of the local board as to his claim of devoting 100 hours to actual preaching . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  (law) the administration of justice according to established rules and principles; based on the principle that a person cannot be deprived of life or liberty or property without appropriate legal procedures and safeguards