What does the term "Contested Case" refer to in legal proceedings?

The term "Contested Case" is used in legal proceedings to describe a situation where there is a dispute between parties that necessitates formal legal review and resolution. In this context, it typically involves an administrative or judicial process where one party challenges the actions or decisions of another party, often relating to regulatory or licensing issues.

In a contested case, the parties have differing viewpoints or claims, and as a result, legal rules and procedures must be followed to settle the matter. This can involve the presentation of evidence, arguments by attorneys, and sometimes a hearing before an administrative law judge or other adjudicating body. The outcome is determined based on the evidence presented and legal arguments made, culminating in a decision that resolves the dispute.

This concept is quite different from agreements between parties, which typically signify consensus and cooperation to resolve an issue. Additionally, negotiation processes and mediation are methods aimed at amicable resolutions, and do not generally involve adversarial proceedings or formal legal adjudication that characterizes a contested case.