About Appeals Secretariat

Key responsibilities

Managing appeals

The Appeals Secretariat:

• provides information to the public about appeals process
• assists with directing appellants to community organizations and resources that can help them with their appeal

Coordinating appeal hearing logistics

The Appeals Secretariat:

• organizes locations to facilitate teleconference, videoconference or in-person hearings
• arranges language translators, sign language interpreters, communication access real-time translation and other necessary services to ensure full participation of appellants with barriers
• works with appeal parties to coordinate a suitable hearing date

Citizen’s Appeal Panel support

The Appeals Secretariat supports:

• member recruitment and governance
• member training and orientation, and meetings
• the development of policies, guidelines and procedures
• procedural matters and soliciting legal expertise
• panel member expense and honoraria claims

Other supports

The Appeals Secretariat:

• observes hearings and making recommendations to improve training
• analyzes appeal decisions to identify themes and trends in support of evidence-based decision making
• provides information on community advocacy services that may be able to support an appellant during the appeal process

Outside the mandate of the Appeals Secretariat

The Appeals Secretariat does not:

• advocate for any party involved in an appeal
• refer appellants to a specific organization or advocate
• provide legal advice
• explain panel decisions