How we operate

When a proceeding is commenced, the Chief Adjudicator assigns one Adjudicator to be the Case Management Adjudicator for that proceeding. The Case Management Adjudicator's responsibilities, which are more fully described in the Case Management Adjudicator Policy, include overseeing the efficient and expeditious conduct of the proceeding. 

The Chief Adjudicator assigns panels to hearings. Typically, a single Adjudicator presides over simple hearings, and a three-member panel presides over merits hearings or other more complex hearings. There may be exceptions for training or other operational reasons. When assigning a panel, the Chief Adjudicator takes into account potential conflicts of interest, Adjudicator expertise and experience, Adjudicator workload, opportunities for mentorship and training, and other factors.

Often, at the end of a hearing the panel will reserve its decision (i.e. delay the issuance of the decision, to allow for deliberation). In some cases, the panel will issue its decision at or soon after the end of the hearing, for reasons to follow at a later time. When a panel is going to issue written reasons, the panel may ask an Adjudicator, who was not involved in the hearing, to review a near-final draft of the reasons, to help ensure that reasons are clear and complete. Any such review is conducted in accordance with the Peer Review Policy.

The Tribunal's metrics for the time between the parties' last submissions and the issuance of reasons are discussed and disclosed here.