Administrative penalty hearing — City of Toronto
Representing you at a hearing officer review of an administrative monetary penalty from the City of Toronto.
What is included
- Reviewing the penalty notice, the by-law it relies on and the municipality's photos or other evidence
- Requesting a screening review, or preparing for one already booked
- Requesting a hearing review if you do not accept the screening decision
- Preparing your explanation and evidence and presenting it to the screening or hearing officer
- Asking for more time to pay where the by-law allows it
What is not included
- Tribunal filing fees, transcripts, professional reports and other disbursements
- Stages the service does not name, such as an extra hearing day, a reconsideration or an appeal
- Attending a hearing when the service covers documents or advice only
- A judicial review or appeal in the Divisional Court, which is outside a licensed paralegal's scope
- Collecting money or enforcing an order after the decision
Who this service is for
- Drivers or vehicle owners who received a municipal parking or by-law administrative penalty
- Someone whose screening review did not go the way they hoped
- Residents or businesses who want someone to present their explanation to a hearing officer
Information to have ready
- 1The penalty notice (both sides) or its number
- 2Photos of the location, signs, meter or vehicle, and any receipts or permits
- 3Anything showing where you or the vehicle were at the time
- 4Any screening decision you have already received
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost?
The fee is $300 plus 13% HST ($339.00 in all) for the work described on this page. Court, tribunal or government fees and other disbursements are extra. We confirm the scope and the fee in a written retainer agreement before any work starts.
What happens when I check out?
You book a time for your intake call, then save a card on Stripe's secure page. Nothing is charged today: the card is only charged later, for an invoice for work already done, as your retainer agreement sets out. A licensed paralegal confirms the details, checks for conflicts of interest and, if we can act for you, sends the retainer agreement. Fees paid before the work is done are held in our trust account.
Is an administrative penalty the same as a ticket in court?
No. It is a municipal penalty dealt with under the municipality's own by-law, outside the courts, and it does not lead to a criminal record.
What happens at a screening review?
A screening officer looks at the penalty and your explanation and may confirm, reduce or cancel it, or give more time to pay. If you disagree with the result, you can usually ask for a hearing review before a hearing officer.
Can I pay the penalty and still dispute it?
Paying the penalty usually ends the matter, so speak with us before you pay if you want to dispute it.
General information only, not legal advice. NEO Legal Services Professional Corporation is a licensed paralegal firm regulated by the Law Society of Ontario.
Important limitations
- No outcome can be guaranteed; the tribunal decides
- Deadlines are set by law or by the tribunal, and missing one may end your right to go ahead
- The service covers only the step it names; later steps are agreed separately in writing
- A few services here are requests or complaints to public bodies rather than tribunal cases; before any work starts we confirm that your matter is within what a licensed paralegal is permitted to do, and we can refer anything that is not to an Ontario lawyer.
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