Submissions

Once a royal commission has been established, it will usually invite members of the public to provide submissions by a particular date. Anyone can write to the commission to tell their story or express their views about one or more matters addressed in the royal commission’s terms of reference. Submissions are usually written but more recently royal commissions have been willing to accept other forms such as video submissions.

Submissions will usually be made public and published on the commission’s website unless the author has specifically requested to remain anonymous or for their submission to remain private.

Hearings

Royal commissions usually conduct public hearings to receive evidence and hear from relevant witnesses and experts. Members of the public may request an appearance before the commission or may be invited or required to attend to give evidence.

Hearings are usually public which allows any member of the public to attend and watch from the public gallery. More recently, royal commissions have broadcast their public hearings online.

Occasionally royal commissions will conduct private hearings to receive sensitive or confidential evidence. Where appropriate, royal commissioners may also decide to hold private sessions, in which they meet with particular individuals one-on-one. This can allow a royal commission to fully investigate matters but the weight that can be given to information received this way may be more limited if it cannot be effectively tested or referred to in the final report and recommendations. 

Other opportunities

Some royal commissions hold hearings in different locations, including regional or remote locations, to give all community members an opportunity to participate. In addition to public hearings, royal commissions may employ other methods to consult with the community, such as surveys, roundtables and forums.

These days it is quite common for a royal commission to have an official website which will publicly advertise the dates and locations of its hearings and other ways to participate. This can allow interested members of the public to monitor the progress of the royal commission, attend upcoming hearings and access published evidence, submissions and reports of the commission.