February 2010

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 to Thursday, February 25, 2010

Probably the most challenging aspect of being an adjudicator is actually running an oral hearing. You have to make sure everyone has an opportunity to present evidence, but ensure that the hearing ends within a reasonable period of time. You have to keep control of a room where witnesses, observers and even counsel may be unruly, unfocused and/or emotional, and do so with courtesy, patience and appropriate demeanor. You need to understand the scope of your legal duty of fairness and stay within it, or your decision may not stand up on appeal or judicial review. And you need to make use of the special expertise that got you appointed to the job in the first place, without being or appearing biased. It's a tremendously difficult job, but there is much to be learned from experienced chairs, adjudicators and arbitrators. The Canadian Institute's two-day course on Running a Fair Hearing offers you an outstanding opportunity to get inside tips from knowledgeable chairs and vice-chairs.