Opinion ID: 1401724
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Missouri Administrative Procedure Act

Text: The Missouri Administrative Procedure Act provides for two types of cases: contested cases and non-contested cases. The distinction between these two types of cases is an often-litigated issue. A contested case is defined in the MAPA as a proceeding before an agency in which legal rights, duties or privileges of specific parties are required by law to be determined after hearing. Section 536.010(4). The MAPA does not explicitly define a non-contested case, but it has been defined by this Court as a decision that is not required by law to be determined after a hearing. State ex rel. Wilson Chevrolet, Inc. v. Wilson, 332 S.W.2d 867, 870 (Mo. 1960). Contested case review is controlled by sections 536.100 to 536.140. Contested cases provide the parties with an opportunity for a formal hearing with the presentation of evidence, including sworn testimony of witnesses and cross-examination of witnesses, and require written findings of fact and conclusions of law. Hagely v. Board of Education of the Webster Groves School District, 841 S.W.2d 663, 668 (Mo. banc 1992). The review of a contested case is a review by the trial court of the record created before the administrative body. Section 536.140. The trial court's decision upon such review is appealable, but the appellate court also looks back to the record created before the administrative body. City of Cabool v. Missouri State Board of Mediation, 689 S.W.2d 51, 53 (Mo. banc 1985). Non-contested cases do not require formal proceedings or hearings before the administrative body. Farmer's Bank of Antonia v. Kostman, 577 S.W.2d 915, 921 (Mo.App.1979). As such, there is no record required for review. Phipps v. School District of Kansas City, 645 S.W.2d 91, 94-5 (Mo.App.1982). In the review of a non-contested decision, the circuit court does not review the administrative record, but hears evidence, determines facts, and adjudges the validity of the agency decision. Id. Under the procedures of section 536.150, the circuit court conducts such a hearing as an original action. Id at 96; section 536.150.1. In either a contested or a non-contested case the private litigant is entitled to challenge the governmental agency's decision. The difference is simply that in a contested case the private litigant must try his or her case before the agency, and judicial review is on the record of that administrative trial, whereas in a non-contested case the private litigant tries his or her case to the court. Depending upon the circumstances, this difference may result in procedural advantages or disadvantages to the parties, but in either situation, the litigant is entitled to develop an evidentiary record in one forum or another.