Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The ADFG Office acts as an informational and educational resource for graduates, staff and faculty regarding the administration of these processes. The ADFG Office is neutral and does not advocate for a particular side, but rather, ensures that the various processes are followed, and run smoothly and efficiently.  The ADFG Office does not provide substantive or legal advice, but rather, provides information regarding the various processes.
For more information, click here.

If the Provost concludes that there is sufficient evidence to support an allegation that a graduate committed disgraceful and/or infamous conduct, or conduct unbecoming a graduate, he or she will present draft charges to the Governing Council (as delegated to the Executive Committee) to determine whether charges will be laid under s. 48(c) of the University of Toronto Act, 1947. 

The Vice-Provost presents potential charges to the Governing Council to determine whether charges should be laid. If the Governing Council approves the laying of charges, it will establish a Judicial Board consisting of a legally qualified chair, and two side members - a teaching staff member, and a student member. At least two of the members of the Board (normally the side members of the Judicial Board) must be members of the Governing Council.

• The ADFG Office is notified by the Provost that charges have been laid. The ADFG Office provides the accused with a procedural letter in which the rights of the accused are defined and the composition of a hearing panel is described.
• Once charges are formally laid, Counsel for the University will provide disclosure.

Yes. If you are charged with an academic offence, retaining legal representation is strongly encouraged.

The ADFG Office tries to set a hearing date that is convenient for all parties. The ADFG Office then sends the accused the Notice of Hearing, in which the following information is provided:

• Date and time of the hearing (held Monday to Friday, either morning, afternoon or evening)
• Location of the hearing
• The names of the Judicial Board members who will hear the case

*Note: University Tribunal hearings are held 12 months of the year.

The period between the laying of charges to the hearing date varies depending on the availability of the parties, number of witnesses required by the parties, the availability of panel members, etc.

A panel of three people consisting of a legally qualified Chair, one student Governor, and one teaching staff Governor adjudicates each Judicial Board hearing. 

• Counsel for the University, will present the University’s case. Counsel for the University is permitted to call witnesses to testify and substantiate the charges.
• The accused (or legal representative) and panel members may question the witnesses presented by Counsel for the University.
• The accused (or legal representative) then presents their defence against the charges. The accused is also permitted to call witnesses, whom Counsel for the University and panel members may question.
• The Panel after hearing this evidence, will decide whether Counsel for the University has proven the charges.
• If the Panel makes a finding of guilt, it will then be required to determine an appropriate sanction.
• Both Counsel for the University and the accused are permitted to call witnesses and present evidence to support the sanction they feel is appropriate.
• Both Counsel for the University and the accused are permitted to make suggestions regarding sanction.

The burden of proof is on Counsel for the University who must prove on a "balance of probabilities" that the accused committed the offence. This means that Counsel for the University must prove that it was more likely than not that the accused committed the offence.

Yes, all Judicial Board Hearings are recorded.

There is no avenue for appeal within the University of Judicial Board decisions. Should you be unhappy with the Board’s decision, you may wish to speak to legal counsel.  

Hearings are presumptively held virtually over Zoom. A party may request to the Chair that a hearing be held in person (see Rules of Practice and Procedure, Part 8).

If the request is granted, hearings are most often held in Simcoe Hall’s Governing Council Boardroom. Other locations where hearings have been held are: Governing Council Chamber, President's Boardroom in Simcoe Hall, McMurrich Building, Medical Science Building and Sidney Smith Hall. The hearing location is often determined by the availability/unavailability of the Boardroom. All of these buildings are wheelchair accessible.

Hearings usually begin at 9:45 a.m., 1:45 p.m., 5:15 p.m. or at 5:45 p.m. The duration of each hearing varies as each case is unique. We suggest that hearing attendees reserve at least six (6) hours in their calendar. Hearings have been known to conclude in as little as three (3) hours but have also been known to take multiple days.  For hearings beginning at 5:15 p.m. and 5:45 p.m., we suggest that attendees keep their entire evening free. As hearings may take multiple days, we ask that attendees bring their calendars to the hearing to facilitate scheduling if another day is needed.

Please see the Rules of Practice and Procedure for more information regarding Judicial Board hearings.

Although there is no dress code, attendees usually dress in business casual to business attire.

If you need a disability-related accommodation to participate in this academic discipline process, please review and follow the procedure set out in the Protocol for Requesting Accommodation for Disabilities.