INTRODUCTION

The Employment and Assistance Act section 20(2) allows the Tribunal Chair to establish practices and procedures for the Tribunal that are consistent with the Regulations.  

The following are the Practices and Procedures for the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal as established by the Tribunal Chair. These Practices and Procedures are to be followed during the appeal process subject to any circumstances that justify a departure from these requirements. Any question of procedure that arises during a hearing and is not provided for in these Practices and Procedures will be decided by the Panel Chair (Employment and Assistance Act section 22(6)).

These Practice and Procedures may be amended from time to time and as required by the Tribunal Chair.

INDEX

1.0 DEFINITIONS

2.0 COMMUNICATING WITH THE TRIBUNAL

2.1 Dealing with the Tribunal Office
2.2 Representation Before the Panel
2.3 Address for Delivery

(a)	Appellant
(b)	Ministry of Social Development
(c)	Ministry of Children and Family Development

2.4 Tribunal Hours

3.0 THE APPEAL PROCESS

3.1 Commencing an Appeal
3.2 Screening of Appeals

(a)	Screening Criteria
(b)	Notice of Appeal That Does Not Comply With the Specified Form
(c)	Notice of Appeal Received Outside Time Limit
(d)	Notice of Appeal Relating to Matters Outside the Tribunal’s Jurisdiction

3.3 Appeal Record
3.4 Appointment of Panel
3.5 Consolidation of Appeals Involving the Same Parties
3.6 Hearing of Appeals Involving Different Parties Together

4.0 HEARINGS

4.1 Type of Hearing
4.2 Notice of Hearing
4.3 Hearing Date
4.4 Adjournments
4.5 Absence of Panel Member(s)

5.0 HEARING PROCEDURE

5.1 General
5.2 Oral Hearing Procedure

(a)	Location of Oral Hearing – In-Person
(b)	Presentation of Each Party’s Case in an Oral Hearing
(c)	Witnesses
(d)	Proceeding in the Absence of a Party
(e)	Recording
(f)	Oaths
(g)	Additional Documentation

5.3 Written Hearing Procedure

(a)	Commencement of Written Hearing
(b)	Presentation of Each Party’s Case in a Written Hearing
(c)	Extension of Time
(d)	Panel Review of Written Submissions

6.0 DISMISSAL OF APPEALS

6.1 Consent Dismissals

7.0 DECISIONS OF A PANEL

7.1 General

8.0 MISCELLANEOUS

8.1 Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
8.2 Special Needs