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Note: Documents you submit to the tribunal are available to the public on request, subject to limited exceptions.
Forms and Filing
Until further notice, the following changes are in place for submitting documents through mail. If you submit by mail or courier, you will experience processing delays.
Mail should be addressed to:
Ontario Special Education Tribunals
15 Grosvenor Street, Ground Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2G6
| Step | Timelines |
|---|---|
| Parents email or write the OSET to advise that they intend to appeal. OSET mails or emails Form A: Notice of Appeal to the parents, or the parents download the form. | Within 30 days of receiving the school board’s decision on the SEAB recommendations. |
| Parents complete the Form A: Notice of Appeal and mail or email it to the OSET. | Within 20 days of receiving Notice of Appeal. |
| The OSET sends the completed Notice of Appeal and required documents to the school board. | Within 1-2 business days of receiving the Notice of Appeal. |
| The school board files the completed Form B: Response to a Notice of Appeal with the OSET. | Within 10 days of receiving the copy of the completed Notice of Appeal and required documents. |
| If parties agree, mediation is scheduled in advance of a pre-hearing conference. If mediation is not successful, a pre-hearing conference is scheduled. | Within 20 days of when the OSET receives the completed Response to a Notice of Appeal. |
| Parties disclose their documents and their list of witnesses to the OSET and to each other. | Parents are required to provide documents at least 30 days before hearing date. The school board is required to provide documents at least 15 days before the hearing date. |
| The OSET decision is sent to all parties. | Within 90 days (3 months) of when the hearing ends. |
Forms
If you need a form in an alternate format, such as braille or large print, contact us.
Notice of Appeal
To start an appeal to the Ontario Special Education Tribunal, a parent must complete Form A: Notice of Appeal.
The grounds for the appeal on Form A must be stated clearly and concisely. Parents must state whether they are appealing the identification and/or the placement and also say why they disagree with the school board’s decision.
The OSET will send a copy of the completed Notice of Appeal: Form A and attachments to the school board.
Response to Notice of Appeal
The school board must complete its Response to the Notice of Appeal: Form B and file it with the OSET within 10 days of receiving the Notice of Appeal. The Response includes contact information for the board representative, information about the student, a description of the steps that led to the appeal and asks the board to indicate whether they are willing to participate in mediation. The OSET will send a copy of the completed Response: Form B and the required attachments to the parent.
Request for Issuing a Summons
If someone is unwilling to attend or requires an official request to attend because of his/her employment or some other reason, complete a Request for Issuing a Summons. The OSET adjudicator who will chair the hearing will review the completed form. If the chair approves, you will need to complete the summons and serve (personally deliver it to) the witness.
Agreement to Mediation
This agreement is used when the applicant and the respondent agree to mediation. It lays out the terms of mediation and is signed and dated by the applicant and the respondent.
Information Sheets
Information sheets provide more detailed information on some parts of the appeal and hearing process.
- Information Sheet: Mediation
- Information Sheet: At the Hearing
- Information Sheet: Role of the Student
- Information Sheet: Representation
- Information Sheet: Witnesses
How to file
Submit your form in person at:
Effective March 13, 2020, all front-line counter services are closed to the public until further notice.
Mail your form to:
Ontario Special Education Tribunals
15 Grosvenor Street, Ground Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2G6
Fax your form to:
416-326-2199
1-866-355-6099 (toll-free)