In 2020-2022, the United States Department of Labor, Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ) took steps to enable continuity of operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. OALJ thanks the parties, representatives and their staffs, court reporters, witnesses, and all other hearing participants who quickly and successfully adopted to the new procedures.
Consistent with its phased reentry plan and in light of the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic, the OALJ will complete reentry to all of our offices on May 2, 2022. Going forward, OALJ will:
- Return to scheduling in-person hearings where participants are physically in the same location
- Continue to offer audio or video hearings, or hearings-on-the-record, where warranted.
- Continue relaxation of procedural rules to facilitate e-filing and e-service
See Administrative Notice, Procedural Notices Related to Covid-19 Pandemic, 2022-MIS-00003 (Chief ALJ Apr. 29, 2022).
As part of this effort, OALJ has reorganized its web pages, consolidating related information, and removing out-of-date information. E-filing, e-service, and related information is now found at:
- Electronic Filing with the Office of Administrative Law Judges (contains link to memorandum that consolidates information about e-filing with OALJ and BALCA; explains differences between EFS and OALJ’s e-mail systems; states formatting requirements and preferences; lists what cannot be e-filed; states protocol for filing documents under seal and for in camera review)
- Filing by E-mail (provides updated information specific to submission of a filing using OALJ’s e-mail e-filing system)
- Efile.dol.gov (links to login and general information for those using EFS)
- Sample Certificate of Service for e-filing
- Standard Hearing Forms (added e-Filing related forms for Notices of Appearance, Withdrawals, Changes of Address, and Requesting EFS access in consolidated cases)
- Subpoenas (provides information on how to e-mail requests for subpoenas)
- Administrative Notice, Online E-Filings: When Made—And When the “Last Day” of a Filing Period Ends, 2022-MIS-00002 (Chief ALJ Mar. 11, 2022) (clarification of how OALJ will apply the current regulations in regard to when submissions are received and filed)