What happens at the argument phase of the hearing?
After all the parties have finished presenting their evidence, each party will be invited to make its argument. The argument analyzes the evidence and gives reasons why the Tribunal should support that party on issues in the proceeding. No new evidence can be presented at this “argument phase” of the hearing. This rule holds, even if the applicant or appellant is self-represented and is making the argument with the benefit of personal knowledge of any relevant facts. If certain facts are to be considered by the Tribunal, they must be presented by a witness (which may be the applicant or appellant) at the evidentiary phase, or they must be facts that were agreed upon by all parties for the purpose of the hearing. Only evidence heard by the Tribunal at the evidentiary phase can be mentioned during the argument phase.
