Practice Note #4 –
Virtual and In-Person Oral Hearings

Practice Note #4 – Virtual and In-Person Oral Hearings PDF (186KB)

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Practice Note is to explain the procedure for requesting an in-person oral hearing.

2. Background

As part of the Tribunal’s commitment to accessible and efficient decision-making, the Tribunal will now schedule its oral hearings to be conducted virtually. Typically, the Tribunal uses a program called Zoom to conduct its virtual hearings.

In most cases, the parties use their own devices (for example, a laptop, desktop computer, or smartphone) from a private location to connect to the virtual hearing.

In exceptional circumstances, the Tribunal may hold in-person oral hearings. In-person hearings will only be scheduled where the Tribunal determines that it is necessary for a fair hearing to be held.

3. Requests for In-Person Oral Hearings

If a party feels that an in-person oral hearing is necessary, they should write to the Registrar as soon as possible to request one. The written request should say:

• How a virtual oral hearing would prevent them from participating in a fair oral hearing.

The other party will have an opportunity provide its submissions on the requested in-person oral hearing.

4. Approval

Practice Note #4 is approved by the Tribunal’s Chairperson on February 9^th, 2023.

Emily Crocco
Chairperson
Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal