Legal Definitions - hearing officer

A hearing officer is a type of administrative-law judge who presides over hearings and makes decisions on matters such as child-support, workers' compensation, and other administrative disputes. They are authorized by the government to exercise specific functions and are responsible for ensuring that the hearing process is fair and impartial.

For example, in family law, a hearing officer may be appointed to preside over child-support matters. They are responsible for hearing evidence, making findings of fact, and issuing orders that are legally binding.

Another example is in workers' compensation cases, where a hearing officer may be responsible for conducting hearings and making decisions on disputes between employees and employers regarding workplace injuries.

Overall, hearing officers play an important role in the administrative process by ensuring that disputes are resolved fairly and impartially.