This course is specifically designed for decision-makers who participate in oral hearings, individually or as part of a panel. It may also be of interest to those who conduct “file” hearings, since many legal principles that govern the conduct of such proceedings are the same. The audience may include:
This course offers learners a rich, interactive, and engaging exploration of relevant topics and provides opportunities to engage with narrations and scenario interactions placed strategically throughout the course.
Learners follow the journey of two main characters: Chris and Tali. Chris has just been appointed to a decision-making body and is relatively inexperienced, but he is happy to learn and is excited about his new role. Tali is an experienced administrative decision-maker who has offered to mentor Chris. The course follows Chris through a fictional tribunal case study where as a new member of the Tried ‘N True Tribunal, he is assigned to the Nickel v. Rio Rail case.
The learner is asked to help Chris prepare for participating in the case as a panel member. In each module, Chris has a number of questions that he is trying to answer in preparation for his role. The learner gathers information, ‘consulting’ with different members of the tribunal, as well as Tali and other resources. The learner then answers Chris’ questions based on their research.
Modules provide learners with the opportunity to reflect, analyze, and decide on actions and then receive feedback on their decisions, with reasons for the recommended answer. Using the fictional tribunal process allows the learner to explore the principles that are involved rather than the specific manifestations of that principle in the fictional scenarios.
Many tribunal adjudicators in Canada do not have access to the on-site interactive adjudication courses currently available, either because of travel costs or lack of available time or funds. As well, many provincial and federal tribunals have members who are part-time and who work in many locations.
The online course provides a solution to these challenges – registrants can work on the lessons at their convenience. They just need a computer and access to the Internet.
This course is built with many levels of informal assessment through the resolution of the various challenges and interactive exercises. There is no formal summative assessment built into the course. There are no course prerequisites.
This course contains eight modules. Within each module, the initial set of questions is delivered through a narrated, interactive activity that includes an introduction to the topics within the module. The research is done through reading of information (text and images) with simple interactions (accordion, tabs, flash cards, quiz questions). The answering of questions is through a narrated, interactive activity.
The following is a summary of each module’s key topics/focus.
The first module introduces the course, its purpose, and the overall approach to learners, as well as Chris and Tali. Topics covered include:
Decision-making bodies
Module 3 includes an introduction to ethics that covers information on independence, respect and courtesy, timeliness, collegiality, confidentiality, and open-mindedness and freedom from conflict/bias. Other topics covered include:
Module 4 helps learners understand the various roles and responsibilities involved in hearing processes, as well as how to prepare for a hearing. The module includes specific information on:
Module 5 introduces learners to what a hearing looks like, as well as the specific steps and processes that take place during a hearing. Specifically, the module includes information on:
Module 6 helps learners understand what is meant by evidence; the relationship between evidence, facts, and argument; and how evidence is assessed. Key topics explored include:
Module 7 explores the key elements that enable decision-makers to make a decision and the skills needed for decision writing. Topics covered in this module include:
In the final module, learners discover what happens when a decision is challenged and learn more about:
Learners are then able to complete a final knowledge check that covers material from the entire course and are guided to additional resources for more information.
CCAT / BCCAT Members: | $499 plus applicable taxes |
Non-members: | $649 plus applicable taxes |
NOTE for BCCAT members: Please log-in to the BCCAT member resources section to obtain the promo code required to register at the member rate.
If you incur any difficulty in registering online for the course (do not see the Apply Button below Registration), try using Google Chrome or Firefox as a browser. If you have any questions, please contact info@ccat-ctac.org.
This course is available in English only at this time.