Hearing Officers

About
The Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court, in accordance with Virginia Code § 2.2-4024 maintains a list of attorneys who serve as “hearing officers” authorized to preside over formal hearings conducted in accordance with Virginia Code § 2.2-4020.  Parties to informal fact-finding proceedings conducted pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-4019 may agree to have a hearing officer preside at those proceedings as well.  Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-4024 the Executive Secretary has promulgated rules for the administration of the hearing officer system.  The Executive Secretary also has the authority to establish the number of hearing officers necessary to preside over administrative hearings in the Commonwealth.

Contact Information
On request from the Head of an Agency, the Executive Secretary will name a hearing officer from the list.  Such requests may be sent by email to hearingofficer@vacourts.gov.
For other questions, please contact the Office of the Executive Secretary at (804) 786-6455.

Resources and Reference Materials

• Hearing Officer System Rules of Administration (effective 1/1/22)
  Includes information on qualification, appointment, and assignment of specific cases
• Hearing Officer Deskbook
  Reference book for Hearing Officers prepared by the Administrative Law Advisory Committee and published by Office of the Executive Secretary
• Hearing Officer System Rules of Administration (effective 1/1/21)
  Includes information on qualification, appointment, and assignment of specific cases