Prehearing Conference Process
Scheduling the Prehearing Conference
OAH will contact you via email to schedule a prehearing conference. If OAH does not hear from you, the prehearing conference will be scheduled based on the judge’s availability.
Prehearing Conference
Generally, after your appeal has been assigned to a judge, OAH will contact you to schedule a prehearing conference. The prehearing conference is a phone call with the judge and all parties to talk about administrative matters.
Once the prehearing conference is scheduled, you will receive a Notice of Prehearing Conference. The notice will tell you the time and date and have instructions on how to call into the conference. Sample Notice of Prehearing Conference
At the prehearing conference, the parties will speak with the judge about the logistics of the appeal, such as scheduling the time and date of the hearing which is held by telephone. The judge will not hear any testimony and will not review any documents from the parties during the call.
If you have documents that you want to use as evidence in your case, the judge will instruct you at the prehearing conference on how to submit and label documents for use at the hearing. Please do not submit documents to OAH before the prehearing conference or bring them to the prehearing conference because they will not be accepted or reviewed at that time.
The only thing you need to bring is your calendar with your availability.
It is your responsibility to attend the prehearing conference. You must participate in the prehearing conference. Otherwise, your case may be dismissed.
What is a Prehearing Conference Order?
After the prehearing conference is done, OAH will send you a document called a Prehearing Conference Order. This order will have the information that was discussed at the prehearing conference, such as information about the hearing, deadlines, contact information for OAH, and other important information that you should review.
Along with the Prehearing Conference Order, you will also receive a Notice of Hearing. The Notice of Hearing will tell you how to participate and attend the hearing. Sample Prehearing Conference Order
What if I cannot attend the prehearing conference?
If you are unable to call in, you may request a continuance (postponement) of the prehearing conference. A request must include a reason. The continuance will only be granted if you have a good reason. Please send your request to the assigned judge by uploading your request to the Participant Portal, send secure email to Tacoma@oah.wa.gov, contact our Adjudicative Support Center at 360-407-2700 or 800-583-8271, fax, or mail your request prior to your prehearing conference date to:
Office of Administrative Hearings
16201 E. Indiana Avenue, Suite 3000
Spokane Valley, WA 99216
Fax: 253-593-2200
You must send a copy of your request to everyone listed on the Certificate of Service. If the request is urgent, call 360-407-2700 or 800-583-8271. You must call into the prehearing conference unless the Office of Administrative Hearings notifies you that the prehearing conference is continued.
If you do not attend, the judge may hold you in default and dismiss your appeal.