Glossary of CAT terms
This Glossary provides definitions for some of the most common words that parties will encounter during the Condominium Authority Tribunal’s dispute resolution process.
Application:
Filing an application is the first step in resolving a dispute. Applicants file an application through the CAT’s online dispute resolution system to start a new CAT case.
Applicant:
The person that files an application with the CAT. This can be an owner, purchaser or mortgagee of a condo unit, or a condo corporation.
Case:
A case is a legal proceeding to resolve a dispute that has been accepted by the Tribunal.
Consent Order:
A Legally enforceable order that the CAT makes with the agreement of all of the parties. Consent Orders typically resolve all the issues in dispute and will close the case.
Decision:
The final result of the case and the reasons based on the CAT Member’s judgement. A decision is legally binding and final.
Evidence:
Any document, piece of information, or other thing that a party uses to support their argument or position.
Hearing:
The process in Stage 3 – Tribunal Decision where the parties present evidence and make arguments to support their case to a CAT Member. After the hearing is over, the CAT Member will consider the evidence and arguments of the Users and makes a legally binding decision.
Intervenor:
An Intervenor is a person or legal entity (including condo corporations) that have a right to participate in a CAT case.
Mediator:
A CAT Member who has been assigned to mediate a case in Stage 2 – Mediation.
Member:
A person that is assigned by the CAT to conduct a hearing and make a final decision on a case.
Order:
A legal direction or instruction given by a Mediator or Member that everyone must follow.
Owner:
A person or legal entity typically listed as the owner of a condo unit at the Ontario land registry office.
Party:
Applicants, respondents, intervenors who participate in CAT cases, or any other person or legal entity granted party status by a CAT Member.
Representative:
A person who acts on behalf of a party in a case.
Request:
A request occurs when a party asks the Mediator or Member to decide a case-specific issue or question.
Respondent:
A respondent is a person or legal entity that an applicant files a CAT case against.
Settlement Agreement:
An agreement between the parties that resolves the issues in dispute and closes the case. Settlement Agreements are generated automatically when all parties agree to a Settlement Offer in Stage 1 – Negotiation or can be issued by a Mediator or Member in Stage 2 – Mediation and Stage 3 – Tribunal Decision.
Settlement Offer:
A party’s proposal for how the issues in dispute can be resolved. Parties can exchange settlement offers in Stage 1 – Negotiation and can change their offer at any time.
Summons:
A legal document created by the CAT that compels a witness to participate in a hearing or to provide evidence.
Witness:
An individual who has information or evidence about the issues in dispute. Parties can propose to have witnesses provide evidence in Stage 3 – Tribunal Decision.