• Please Take Note:

    As of February 1, 2016, DALA will charge $10 for the first CD and $5 for each additional CD of recorded proceedings.  In situations of extreme financial hardship, the Magistrate who heard the matter recorded may waive the fee.

  • Who We Are

    The Division of Administrative Law Appeals ("DALA") is an independent agency that conducts due process adjudicatory hearings for other Massachusetts state administrative agencies. Through its Bureau of Special Education Appeals, DALA also conducts mediations, advisory opinions and hearings to resolve disputes among parents, school districts, private schools and state agencies concerning eligibility, evaluation, placement, individualized education programs (IEPs), special education services and procedural protections for students with disabilities. 

    GENERAL JURISDICTION

    On the General Jurisdiction side, cases come to DALA in two ways: (1) by legislation mandating that certain types of cases be heard at DALA; and (2) upon request of an agency, subject to the approval of the DALA Chief Administrative Magistrate and the Secretary of Administration and Finance.  Currently, DALA conducts hearings for approximately 20 state agencies, including the Civil Service Commission, the Contributory Retirement Appeal Board, the Board of Registration in Medicine, the Department of Public Health and the Fair Labor Division of the Office of the Attorney General.

    Assistance Available

    Beginning on September 21, 2016 (and continuing on the third Wednesday of each month thereafter) from 10:00 a.m. until noon, volunteer lawyers will be available by phone to answer general questions about DALA’s orders.

    You may call 617-626-7200 between 10:00 a.m. and noon on September 21, October 19, November 15 and December 21, 2016 to take advantage of this service.

    THE BUREAU OF SPECIAL EDUCATION APPEALS (BSEA)

    The Bureau of Special Education Appeals conducts mediations, advisory opinions and hearings to resolve disputes among parents, school districts, private schools and state agencies concerning eligibility, evaluation, placement, individualized education programs (IEPs), special education services and procedural protections for students with disabilities. The BSEA was transferred to the Division of Administrative Law Appeals by Chapter 131 of the Acts of 2010.

  • Scheduled Prehearing Conferences & Hearings - January  doc format of Scheduled Prehearing Conferences & Hearings - January

  • Scheduled Prehearing Conferences & Hearings - February  doc format of Scheduled Prehearing Conferences & Hearings - February

  • BSEA Decisions and Rulings