After conducting an investigation of a complaint, the President of the ADB refers a complaint to the ADT when the President is unable to resolve the complaint. The President prepares a Report to the ADT which contains a summary of the complaint, the initial letter of complaint, and details of the investigation. The parties receive a copy of the President's Report and some information about the Tribunal procedure. The directions hearings are an opportunity to determine the progress of the matter to hearing. If complied with, the timetable is complete in about 3 months.
Many parties attend a mediation conference to attempt a settlement.
If the matter does not settle at the mediation, the complaint goes to a hearing. Once the timetable has been complied with, the Registrar allocates a hearing date. Matters are often listed for further directions on interlocutory issues such as the issue of subpoena, non-compliance with directions, or applications to strike out complaints. The EOD hearings are conventional in appearance. They are conducted in open court unless the Tribunal otherwise orders or the parties agree.