Resolving condominium issues using the CAT

The CAT was sold to Ontario condo owners as a cheap, fast and equitable means of solving disputes between owners and their boards or even condo owner verse condo owner.

How does it work?
The Tribunal’s online dispute resolution system uses a Tribunal program on the Internet to allow everyone to communicate by sending and receiving documents and messages.

The CAT Process

1.	Filing a case
2.	Joining a case
3.	Negotiation: Users discuss ways to settle the dispute.
4.	Mediation: A Tribunal Mediator guides the Users’ discussions and helps them to settle the dispute.
5.	Tribunal Decision: A Tribunal Member considers evidence and arguments from the Users, and makes a final decision about the dispute.

Depending on how your case is resolved, you may have different options.

The rules & policies
The Rules of Practice describe how the parties are to communicate with each other, share documents, and present evidence. The parties must use the CAT’s online system, unless the CAT allows something else.

The CAT has the authority to order any party to give disclosure to the other side or summons a witness.

The CAT has a set of rules that are easy to follow so an owner should be able to follow the process without needing a lawyer. However, an owner, and the condo corporation, can be represented by:
• a lawyer
• paralegal
• a friend, property manager, etc (as long as the person is not paid.)

Costs & Expenses
CAT has the authority to order one party to pay to the other party any reasonable expenses or costs related to the CAT, such as the filing fees.

In most cases, a party will not be ordered to pay another party’s legal fees.

Decisions
Most CAT’s decisions will be public records.


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