Recommended for: Administrative decision-makers, investigators, or anyone who wants to make consistent, rational, defensible, and fact-based decisions.
A strong decision-making process leads to stronger written reasons. In this course, learners work through a five-step model for making clear, logical, and defensible decisions.
Learners practise how to identify the issues, find the legal tests from the legislation, organize the evidence, weigh the evidence, and apply the proven facts to the legislation. They use practical tools, examples, and in-class exercises to move from the material before them to a clear yes-or-no answer on each issue.
The course helps learners build confidence in making fair, well-reasoned decisions that can be explained and defended.
Format: Large and small group discussions and exercises, along with simulated scenarios that apply to a variety of decision-makers.
Prerequisite: To attend this course you must have taken the Principles of Administrative Justice course.
Free Content:
Download Syllabus
Livestream Course Dates
- June 15, 16, 18, & 19, 2026 (8:30 am-12:00 pm MT)
- October 22, 23, 28, & 29, 2026 (8:30 am-12:00 pm MT)
- Also available via an online self-paced study model
Course Purposes
This course intends to:
- provide a logical framework for decision-making.
- make your decision-making more consistent.
- separate decision-making from decision-writing.
- provide practice in using a decision-making model.
- build your skills in making defensible decisions.
Course Learning Outcomes
After this course, you will be able to:
- make logical, evidence-based decisions that are grounded in the legislation.
- explain the reasons for your decision clearly and briefly.
- identify the issues, legal tests, relevant evidence, and proven facts.
- focus on the evidence and arguments that matter when preparing for and conducting inquiries, investigations, and hearings.
- use a structured decision-making model to make decisions more efficiently and quickly.
Register Here!
Livestream: $1,070.00 Members / $1,320.00 Non-Members
Online Self-Paced Study: $1,320.00
*Refresher: $595.00 Member or Non-Member
*For individuals who have previously taken the course, and would like to attend a regularly scheduled livestream course at a discount rate. Please contact us at info@foaj.ca or call 855-466-0501.