Before the AJA, administrative agencies were largely free to establish their own procedures, which often did not provide the same level of due process as that provided in court proceedings. This could result in arbitrary or unfair decisions, as well as a lack of accountability on the part of government agencies.
The AJA was designed to address these concerns by establishing minimum procedural standards for administrative hearings. These standards included:
- The right to be represented by counsel;
-The right to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses;
- The right to a written decision with reasons;
- The right to judicial review of agency decisions.
By establishing these procedural safeguards, the AJA helped to ensure that individuals were treated fairly in administrative proceedings and that their rights were protected.