Hearing Format

Getting Ready for Your Hearing: Format and Etiquette

A Tribunal hearing is a formal legal proceeding in front of a panel composed of both professional and public Tribunal members. Tribunal hearings are similar to court proceedings, with specific rules and procedures that must be followed. A hearing is conducted in a particular order, outlined below. Witnesses must promise to tell the truth before they begin. Any documents used as evidence during the hearing are marked as exhibits. 

The Tribunal conducts most hearings by videoconference. In-person hearings are rare. The advantages of videoconference hearings include reduced stress and disruption for witnesses, more scheduling flexibility for the parties and Tribunal panel members, fewer delays due to travel or unforeseen events and lower overall costs. A party who wants to have an in-person hearing must have exceptional circumstances that outweigh these benefits.

The panel chair is in charge of the hearing, and you must follow their directions. The panel should be given the same respect as a judge in a trial. You should not use first names during the hearing and instead address people by their preferred title (e.g. Mr., Ms., Mx.). It is important to make sure that you are in a quiet space where you can focus on the hearing, with no one else present except for a representative, for instance a lawyer, if you have one.