Tribunal process
Joining a Case
Parties must join their case using our dispute resolution system after receiving a CAT notice. A case will continue without your input if you do not join online.
Determine who will join the case
Parties should determine who will join the case after receiving a notice from the Tribunal.
Unit owners or residents can join the case themselves or have a lawyer, paralegal, or other representative join on their behalf.
A condo corporation can have a director, manager, lawyer or paralegal join on its behalf.
We strongly recommend that the board of directors discuss and decide who will join on behalf of the corporation. Condo representatives must have the authority to act on behalf of the condo corporation and enough information about the issues to be able to participate in the dispute resolution process.
Join a case
Log in to an existing CAO account or create a new CAO account to join a case.
- Click on “Login” at the top-right side of the CAO webpage to get started.
- Board directors and managers must use an account associated with their condo corporation’s CAO profile.
Identify your role
The next step is to identify your role in the case.
If you are an owner, occupant, representative, lawyer or paralegal:
- Select “Myself”
If you are a condo manager or member of the condo corporation’s board of directors
- Select “Representative of a condo corporation” and make sure you select the correct condo corporation from the drop down
Use your invitation
Enter the code and the date exactly as it appears in the notice you received in your email.
A notice is meant to be used by a specific person. Make sure you are using your unique code when you join the case.
Confirm or update your contact information
The contact information you see on the screen was provided by the person who filed the application. You can either confirm or update this information.
Representatives will be asked to provide additional detail about themselves.
You have joined the case as soon as you confirm your contact information.
The case will move to Stage 1 – Negotiation once everyone has joined.
Note: You only need to join the case once. Next time you want to access a case you should do so by clicking on Access an existing tribunal case.
FAQs
Yes, you can have a representative join the case on your behalf.
Your representative must be a lawyer or paralegal licensed by the Law Society of Ontario or must fall under an exemption in the Law Society Act or the LSO’s by-laws.
Owners and occupants can be represented by:
- A lawyer or paralegal
- A person who falls under one of the exemptions under the Law Society of Ontario’s By-law #4, such as a friend or family member who is willing to help you without receiving any fee
Condo corporations must be represented by:
- A member of the condo corporation’s board of directors
- A condo manager licensed by the Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario
- A lawyer or paralegal
Owners and residents don’t need to have a representative, but condo corporations must have one.
Corporations must be represented by:
- A member of their board of directors
- A condo manager licensed by the Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario
- A lawyer or paralegal
You must use the account associated with the CAO’s condo corporation profile. Make sure you sign in to your CAO account and then either file a case or join a case.
Cases automatically move into Stage 1 – Negotiation after everyone joins.
Please email the Tribunal at [email protected]
The case may go ahead without them. The CAT may make an order without their input or participation.