D.C. Code tit. 2, ch. 14 § 2-1403.12
Conduct of hearing.
Operative Text
(a) The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with procedures promulgated pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act ( § 2-501 et seq.). (b) The case in support of the complaint shall be presented by an agent or attorney of the Office. (c) Any Commissioner or hearing examiner, who has participated in the investigation, conciliation or processing of a complaint, or has participated in any decision related to the merits of a complaint, may not sit with a hearing tribunal appointed to make a determination upon such complaint. (d) Efforts at conciliation by the Office, or the parties, shall not be received in evidence. (e) If the respondent fails to answer the complaint, the hearing tribunal, or the hearing examiner designated to conduct the hearing, may enter the default and the hearing shall proceed on the basis of the evidence in support of the complaint. Such default may be set aside only for good cause shown, and upon equitable terms and conditions.
D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1403.12 governs how discrimination complaint hearings are conducted before the D.C. Office of Human Rights. The provision establishes that hearings follow Administrative Procedure Act rules, that Office attorneys or agents present the complaint, and that any official who was involved in investigating or conciliating a complaint cannot later serve on the tribunal deciding it. Conciliation efforts are kept out of evidence, and if a respondent does not respond to the complaint, a default may be entered and the hearing can proceed on the available evidence alone.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners or managers named as respondents in a discrimination complaint proceeding under D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1403.12 are generally expected to file a timely answer to the complaint. Operators who fail to respond risk having a default entered against them, which allows the hearing to proceed based solely on the complainant's evidence; that default can only be undone by showing good cause. Compliant respondents also benefit from the rule that any official involved in the investigation or conciliation phase is barred from sitting on the tribunal that decides the case.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1403.12 provides procedural protections for complainants in discrimination hearings, including the requirement that the Office of Human Rights present the case on the complaint's behalf. Tenants who have filed a complaint can take note that conciliation discussions are kept out of evidence, preserving the integrity of any settlement negotiations. Those seeking to understand their rights in this process may find it useful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with D.C. administrative hearing procedures.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
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