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Public Hearing Vistor Policy

  1. Visitors are responsible for checking the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador’s website frequently for updates before they attend a hearing as dates and times are subject to change without notice. It is also possible that a complaint might resolve by consent, even right up to the commencement of the hearing, and therefore the hearing may not proceed.
  2. Hearings will take place at the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador office in St. John’s (196-198 Water Street), unless otherwise noted.
  3. Upon arrival, visitors attending a public hearing are required to sign in at the registration desk located on the 3rd floor.
  4. Visitors who arrive late to a hearing will not be permitted access to the hearing room once the proceeding has begun.
  5. The hearing tribunal has the right to make certain parts of the hearings, or even the entirety of a hearing, closed at their discretion. Therefore any observers (public, journalists, etc.) could be asked to leave at any time if the tribunal decides that there is a privacy or other legal interest that requires protection.
  6. All attendees are required to maintain confidentiality and may not disclose or reveal in any way the identity of any witness, or any person whose name appears in evidence, who is under the age of 19 (nineteen).
  7. Talking is not permitted during the proceedings.
  8. The hearing room will be emptied during all breaks and during lunch.
  9. Food and beverages are not permitted in the hearing room or reception area.
Use of Electronic Devices

For the purpose of this policy, “Electronic device” means any device capable of transmitting and/or recording data or audio, including cameras, smartphones, cellular phones, computers, laptops, tablets, notebooks, personal digital assistants, or similar devices

  1. An electronic device may not be used in the hearing room.
  2. Subject to the discretion of the Adjudication Tribunal photographs or video images may be recorded of the hearing room prior to the commencement of the hearing.
  3. Nothing in this policy affects the authority of the Hearing Chair to determine what, if any, use can be made of electronic devices in the hearing room.

Individuals who do not comply with all the above requirements may be denied access to the hearing.