Preface

• Author: Ed Ratushny
• Pages: 15-17

Prefacexv

Preface

My early professional career as a lawyer and law professor was heav-

ily concentrated in the f‌ield of criminal procedure and evidence but I

also taught constitutional and administrative law. Over the years, as my

emphasis shifted from criminal procedure to administrative processes,

procedure in administrative law also evolved, from a rather technical set

of rules to a broad principle of procedural fairness. This enhanced the

opportunity in the f‌ield of administrative law for creativity in adapting

processes to address practical legal problems effectively, expeditiously,

and fairly. Nowhere is that opportunity greater than when conducting

commissions of inquiry because each one is so unique.

As an administrative law “generalist,” I have had the privilege to be

retained frequently as a consultant or counsel in diverse subject areas,

particularly by public institutions. These assignments often involve “fact

f‌inding” or “investigations” or “inquiries” and have included inquiries

into the conduct of independent tribunal members and superior court

judges. They have also involved acting as an adjudicator or arbitrator in

diverse administrative hearings.

I have acted in three formal royal commissions in three different cap-

acities: as counsel to parties, as a commissioner, and as counsel to a

commissioner. The f‌irst was as general counsel to the police commis-

sioners, chief of police, and police force in the Colter Commission of In-

quiry into the Niagara Regional Police Force in 1987. The second was as