exhaustion of administrative remedies

Exhaustion of administrative remedies means that before seeking court review of a government decision, a person must first go through all the available steps within the administrative agency responsible for that decision. This process ensures the agency has the opportunity to address and resolve issues internally, potentially avoiding unnecessary legal conflicts. Only after these internal steps are fully pursued and exhausted can a person bring the matter to court for further review. This requirement promotes efficient dispute resolution and respects the agency's authority to administer and interpret laws within its domain.