Policies
Policies are formal statements that explain the purpose and the mechanics of operational initiatives at the Board. A policy set out specific responsibilities for action by decision-makers and personnel supporting the adjudicative process. Policies are flexible instruments, and the degree to which they are mandatory varies with the content of the policy. They often contain elements that are mandatory, but may also provide general guidance or define areas in which the exercise of discretion is required.
All Tribunals
Policy for Handling IRB Complaints Regarding Unauthorized, Paid Representatives (April 2008)
The purpose of this policy is to set out a uniform approach for handling complaints about unauthorized representatives (or counsel) who may, for a fee, be representing, advising or consulting with a person who is the subject of an Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) proceeding.
Policy on the Use of Chairperson's Guidelines (October 2003)
This policy sets out the framework that guides in which circumstances the exercise of the Chairperson's authority may be carried out and the process for deciding to issue guidelines.
Policy on Oral Decisions and Oral Reasons (September 2003)
This policy reaffirms oral decisions and reasons, delivered at the conclusion of a hearing, is the norm for decision-making in the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
Policy on Court-Ordered Rehearings (June 2003)
This policy is re-issued with consequential amendments to bring it in line with the terminology of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and Board Rules. The policy standardizes the selection of decision makers when the Federal Court refers a matter back to the IRB for a rehearing and requires priority review of court ordered rehearings by Legal Services.
Policy on Higher Court Interventions (March 2003)
This policy governs the exercise of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada's (IRB) option to seek leave to intervene in a proceeding before a Higher Court.
Policy on the Use of Jurisprudential Guides (March 2003)
This policy governs the exercise of the Chairperson's authority to identify a decision as a jurisprudential guide in the Immigration Division, the Immigration Appeal Division and the Refugee Protection Division.
Refugee Protection Division
Fast Track Policy: Hearings Process (March 2005)
This policy establishes a framework that governs the process to identify and deal quickly and fairly with simple claims that require a hearing. The objective is to establish, at an early stage, a means to identify and process simple claims at a consistently faster rate than more complex claims.
Fast Track Policy: Expedited Process (March 2005)
This policy establishes a framework to identify and deal quickly and fairly with claims that can be determined positively without a hearing at a consistently faster rate than more complex claims.
Policy on the Transfer of Files for Hearings by Videoconference (Refugee Protection Division) (June 2004)
This policy outlines the principles governing the administrative transfer of files between regions/districts in the Refugee Protection Division and the associated holding of hearings by videoconference. Specifically, this policy sets out the circumstances in which administrative transfers may or may not occur.
Policy on Country-of-Origin Information Packages in Refugee Protection Claims (March 2007)
The objective of this policy is to ensure that common, nationally issued country-of-origin information (COI) packages are used as the standard country information evidence by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) across Canada.
Policy on the Treatment of Unsolicited Information in the Refugee Protection Division (June 2003)
The policy governs the treatment and use of unsolicited information that the IRB receives in respect of proceedings in the Refugee Protection Division.
Policy on Document Harmonization in Support of Jurisprudential Guides (May 2003)
This policy governs the harmonization of documentary packages once a decision has been identified as a jurisprudential guide.
Reasons Review Policy (August 1997)
Written reasons from Refugee Division members may be submitted in preliminary draft form to legal advisers in advance of the release of the reasons to the parties affected. More
Related Documents
Designation of Three-Member Panels – RPD Approach (January 2003)
Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, hearings by single member panels of the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) are the norm. However, the RPD also has the authority to have a claim, or an application to vacate or cease refugee protection, heard by three members. More
Related Links