In Re the Appeal of Certain Sections of the Uniform Administrative Procedure Rules

The opinion of the Court was delivered by

HANDLER, J.

This case raises important questions concerning the relationship between State administrative agencies and the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) in the conduct and adjudication of contested cases. These questions are raised in the context of a challenge to a number of rules promulgated by the OAL to govern the manner in which administrative hearings are conducted.

The Office of Administrative Law adopted these regulations pursuant to its statutory authority to promulgate rules “to regulate the conduct of contested cases and the rendering of…