OAR 137-003-0510: Rights of Parties in Contested Cases

(1) The agency may request the administrative law judge to provide to each party written notice of any or all of the information required to be given under ORS 183.413(2) before the commencement of the hearing. The administrative law judge shall provide any such written notice personally or by mail. (2) Unless otherwise precluded by law, the party and the agency, if participating in the contested case hearing, may agree to use alternative methods of dispute resolution in contested case matters. Such alternative methods of resolution may include arbitration or any collaborative method designed to encourage the agency and the parties to work together to develop a mutually agreeable solution, such as negotiation, mediation, use of a facilitator or a neutral fact-finder or settlement conferences, but may not include arbitration that is binding on the agency. (3) Final disposition of contested cases may be by a final order following hearing or, unless precluded by law, by stipulation, agreed settlement, consent order or final order by default. (4) A stipulation, agreed settlement or consent order disposing of a contested case must be in writing and signed by the party or parties. By signing such an agreement, the party or parties waive the right to a contested case hearing and to judicial review. The agency or administrative law judge shall incorporate the disposition into a final order. A copy of any final order incorporating an agreement must be delivered or mailed to each party and, if a party is represented by an attorney, to the party's attorney.