Adjudication refers to the action of an administrative agency when that agency acts like a court. When an individual or group has potentially violated a regulation, the party can be brought to an administrative entity, which may be an administrative law judge, a hearing officer or a board. In the adjudication, an agency official acts as both judge and jury, holding a hearing and then making a decision.

Adjudication refers to the action of an administrative agency when that agency acts like a court. When an individual or group has potentially violated a regulation, the party can be brought to an administrative entity, which may be an administrative law judge, a hearing officer or a board. In the adjudication, an agency official acts as both judge and jury, holding a hearing and then making a decision. The decision is known as an "initial decision." An "initial decision" automatically becomes a "final decision," unless the party appeals the decision to designated agency official or board. On appeal, the agency may affirm, reverse or remand the decision. Agencies differ in the specifics of how they adjudicate. Each agency's own procedures are outlined in the procedural rules, which can generally found in the Code of Federal Regulations. A final agency decision is known as an "opinion." Unlike in a court, the opinion of the agency applies only to the named parties in the case, unless otherwise specified.

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