A judge’s action in conducting a hearing or conference with one party only, without notice to the other party; typically improper, except under the limited circumstances in which a party is seeking a temporary restraining order and alleging that notice to the adverse party will result in the destruction of evidence or other illegal action. Also used as an adverb, such as, “the judge conducted the hearing ex parte.” It also refers to a party’s attempts to make such contact with the judge.