The role of the Professions Tribunal is to hear appeals of the decisions of the Disciplinary Council. However, with few exceptions, the Professions Tribunal must give prior permission to the effect that it will hear a decision.

In rendering a judgment, the Professions Tribunal may uphold or overturn any decision of the disciplinary council. It may substitute one penalty for another or conclude that the professional was innocent or guilty of the offence, and as the case may be, impose disciplinary measures that it deems appropriate.

The Professions Tribunal may hear also appeals concerning certain decisions made by the Order's Board of Directors, mainly those concerning striking members off the membership roll and limitation or suspension of the right to practice of a professional who has refused to undergo a medical examination required by the Board of Directors.

Although the wording of the provisions of Quebec's Professional Code speaks of an "appeal" of such decisions by the Board of Directors before the Professions Tribunal, in actual fact, the Professions Tribunal is a court of first instance in these cases and as such may rule on the merits of the decision, not simply on its legality.

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