Adjudication

Adjudication is the legal process by which an arbiter or judge reviews evidence and argumentation including legal reasoning set forth by opposing parties or litigants to come to a decision which determines rights and obligations between the parties involved. Three types of disputes are resolved through adjudication:
 * 1) Disputes between private parties, such as individuals or corporations.
 * 2) Disputes between private parties and public officials.
 * 3) Disputes between public officials or public bodies.

In Healthcare
Claims adjudication in health insurance refers to the determination of a member's payment, or financial responsibility, after a medical claim is applied to the member's insurance benefits.

Real time claims adjudication (RTCA) is a process that will instantaneously adjudicate a claim before the healthcare member even leaves the office. (Similar to using a debit card.) Humana, Inc. is one of the industry pioneers of RTCA.

Pertaining to Security Clearances
Adjudication is the process directly following a background investigation where the investigation results are reviewed to determine if a candidate should be awarded a security clearance.

From the United States Department of the Navy Central Adjudication Facility: "Adjudication is the review and consideration of all available information to ensure an individual's loyalty, reliability, and trustworthiness are such, that entrusting an individual with national security information or assigning an individual to sensitive duties is clearly in the best interest of national security."

Referring to a Minor
Referring to a minor, the term adjudicated refers to children that are under a court's jurisdiction usually as a result of having engaged in delinquent behavior and not having a legal guardian that could be entrusted with being responsible for him or her.

Different states have different processes for declaring a child as adjudicated.


 * The Arizona State Legislature' has this definition:
 * "Dually adjudicated child" means a child who is found to be dependent or temporarily subject to court jurisdiction pending an adjudication of a dependency petition and who is alleged or found to have committed a delinquent or incorrigible act.


 * The 'Illinois General Assembly' has this definition:
 * "Adjudicated" means that the Juvenile Court has entered an order declaring that a child is neglected, abused, dependent, a minor requiring authoritative intervention, a delinquent minor or an addicted minor.

In Victoria
Adjudication is a relatively new process introduced by the Government of Victoria in Australia, to allow for the rapid determination of progress claims under building contracts or sub-contracts and contracts for the supply of goods or services in the building industry. This process was designed to ensure cash flow to businesses in the building industry, without parties get tied up in lengthy and expensive litigation or arbitration. It is regulated by the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002.

The Victorian Building Commission has authorised Building Adjudication Victoriato nominate adjudictors.

The Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 is currently being reviewed by the State Government for reforms which may widen the scope of the Act within the building industry in Victoria.

In Queensland
The Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004, or BCIPA as it is commonly known, came into effect in Queensland on the 1st of October, 2004. Through a statuatory-based process known as adjudication a claimant can seek to resolve payment on account disputes. The act covers construction, and related supply of goods and services, contracts, whether written or verbal.

BCIPA is regulated by the Building and Construction Industry Payments Agency, a branch of the Queensland Building Services Authority.

The Building and Construction Industry Payments Agency has authorised RICS Dispute Resolution Service to nominate adjudictors in Queensland.

A list of all Authorised Nominating Authorities can be found on the BCIPA website [www.bcipa.qld.gov.au]. There are seven Authorised Nominating Authorities registered in Queensland.