Administrative Tribunal Training
Foundations of Administrative Justice
This two-day course provides introductory information and exercises that will help tribunal members, staff and decision makers acquire a better understanding of their broader role and responsibility, and the basic knowledge and skills they need to conduct fair hearings and write clear, well-reasoned decisions. It covers an introduction to administrative law principles and fairness, hearing and evidentiary procedures, weighing evidence, writing decisions, and ethical and professional responsibilities of board members.
The course consists of four segments:
- Administrative Law and the Principles of Natural Justice
- Conducting Fair Hearings and Evaluating Evidence
- Decision Making and Decision Writing
- Independence, Accountability and Ethical Conduct
Next Session: October 23-24, 2008
Advanced Decision Making
This two-day workshop builds on the decision-writing module in the basic Foundations course. The focus is to assist tribunal members to acquire writing skills directly relevant to them. The workshop will help participants bring a reader oriented perspective to making and writing decisions; organize and revise decisions to enhance logic and flow; write clear, concise and coherent decisions; and gain confidence in decision writing within their tribunal context. Participants will practice particular skills and techniques through focused writing exercises and by revising a decision. They will also receive individual feedback on one of their own decisions from an instructor.
Prerequisite:
- Foundations of Administrative Justice; and
- Experience in decision writing.
Next Session: check back for date
Hearing Skills
Building on the basic Foundations of Administrative Justice course, this two-day workshop helps tribunal members to improve their ability to conduct hearings within the context of an administrative tribunal. It will assist participants to appreciate fair hearing principles; refresh the guidelines for admitting evidence; assess credibility; recognize issues that arise in hearings; conduct hearings more effectively; and gain confidence in conducting hearings within their tribunal context.
Through a combination of lectures, demonstrations and group exercises, Day 1 of the workshop provides participants with the information and tools necessary to conduct fair and effective hearings. On Day 2, the participants will practice their skills in mock hearings. The participants receive individual feedback on their conduct of the hearing.
Prerequisite:
- Foundations of Administrative Justice; and
- Experience in conducting a hearing.
Next Session: check back for date