Procedural Fairness

Why is procedural fairness important?

How does it apply within the University of Southern Queensland?

The three principles of procedural fairness are:

• The hearing rule ...
  requires a decision-maker to give a person whose interests will be adversely affected by the decision, an opportunity to be heard.  An individual shall not be penalisedby a decision affecting his rights or legitimate expectations unless he has been given prior notice of the case against him, a fair opportunity to answer it and the opportunity to present his own case.
  
• The bias rule ...
  requires a decision-maker to be disinterested or unbiased in the matter to be decided.  A person adjudicating on a dispute must have no pecuniary or proprietary interest in the outcome of the proceedings and must not reasonably be suspected, or show a real likelihood, of bias.
  
• The no evidence rule ... requires that a decision be based upon evidence.

For more information and enquires please contact the University Lawyer, Pam Steele. Training sessions are coordinated by the OD&T Unit of Human Resources and are conducted by the University Lawyer.