Inside the AMS Judicial Council: How Student-Led Justice Works at Queen’s

Written by Communications on October 19, 2026. Posted in My AMS.

When you think of the AMS, you might think of student services, clubs, events, or campus advocacy. But did you know that the AMS also has its own independent, student-led judicial system?

For over 125 years, the AMS Judicial System has played an important role in ensuring fairness, accountability, and transparency within the Queen’s community. Established in 1898, it is the oldest student judicial system in Canada.

But what exactly does the Judicial Council do, and why should you care? Here’s a breakdown of how it works and what it means for you as a student.

What Is the AMS Judicial Council?

The Judicial Council is the adjudicative branch of the AMS Judicial System, meaning it is responsible for hearing cases, reviewing evidence, and making decisions on matters that fall within its jurisdiction.

The Judicial System is made up of two independent bodies that work together:

Judicial Affairs Office (JAO): The investigative branch, responsible for investigating complaints and potential violations.

Judicial Council: The adjudicative branch, responsible for hearing cases and making decisions based on the information presented.

Think of it this way: the JAO investigates concerns, while the Judicial Council determines the appropriate outcome through a fair and impartial process.

Both bodies operate independently under the authority of the AMS Constitution, helping ensure decisions are made fairly and without outside influence.

By Students, for Students

One of the most unique aspects of the AMS’ Judicial Council is that it’s led entirely by students.

Council members are appointed through the AMS Appointment Policy and are responsible for hearing cases, considering evidence, and making impartial decisions.

The Council is led by the Judicial Council Chair, who oversees hearings, guides deliberations, and prepares written decisions when necessary. There’s also the Vice-Chair who helps support the Council and can take on the Chair’s responsibilities when needed.

Because these decisions can directly affect students and AMS governance, Council members are expected to uphold high standards of integrity, responsibility, and impartiality.

This structure gives students in the community an opportunity to play a direct role in upholding fairness and accountability within their student government.

What Kinds of Cases Does the Judicial Council Hear?

The Judicial Council handles several types of matters, ranging from student conduct cases to questions about AMS policies and how they should be interpreted.

Non-Academic Misconduct (NAM)

Not all student conduct concerns involve academics. Non-Academic Misconduct refers to conduct-related matters outside the academic disciplinary process that fall within the Judicial System’s jurisdiction.

When a case is brought before the Judicial Council, members consider the evidence and determine whether a violation occurred and, where appropriate, what sanctions should follow.

Depending on the circumstances, this might involve a full hearing, where both responsibility and sanctions are considered, or a partial hearing, where responsibility has already been accepted but an agreement on sanctions has not been reached.

Suspected Policy Infractions (SPI)

The Council also hears matters involving suspected violations of applicable AMS policies that have been investigated by the JAO.

AMS Governance and Constitutional Matters

Beyond individual conduct cases, the Judicial Council also plays an important role in ensuring the AMS operates according to its governing documents.

This can include interpreting AMS policies, reviewing constitutional questions, and considering appeals within its jurisdiction.

These decisions help clarify how AMS rules should be understood and applied, creating greater consistency in how the Society operates.

How Does the Judicial Council Keep Hearings Fair?

Fairness is at the centre of the Judicial Council’s work.

The Council follows the Judicial Charter, (formally known as the Judicial Council Terms of Reference) which outlines the rules, procedures, and expectations surrounding hearings.

The Charter helps ensure that cases are handled consistently and that everyone involved understands the process.

The AMS Judicial System is also guided by five key principles:

Restorative Justice: Emphasizing accountability, learning, and addressing harm where appropriate.
Peer Administration: Ensuring students play a central role in administering the judicial process.
Complaint-Driven Process: Addressing matters brought forward through the appropriate complaint procedures.
Non-Adversarial Approach: Focusing on understanding and resolving matters rather than creating unnecessary conflict.
Procedural Fairness: Ensuring individuals have a fair opportunity to understand allegations, present their perspectives, and have their cases considered impartially.

Together, these principles help create a judicial process that prioritizes fairness, accountability, and respect for everyone involved.

Why Does This Matter to You?

Even if you never interact directly with the Judicial Council, its work helps shape your experience as a Queen’s student.

The Council helps ensure that AMS policies are applied consistently, student concerns are considered fairly, and those responsible for student governance remain accountable to the rules that guide the Society.

It also reinforces an important principle: student government should operate through transparent and fair processes, with independent mechanisms to address disputes and interpret governing policies.

By having students participate directly in these processes, the AMS Judicial System gives the community a voice in maintaining the integrity of its student government.

Interested in Getting Involved?

If you’re interested in student governance, law, policy, or just want to get involved and make a difference in the Queen’s community, the Judicial Council offers a unique opportunity to gain experience in decision-making and adjudication.

Serving on the Council can give you valuable experience in reviewing evidence, interpreting policies, evaluating complex situations, and making impartial decisions.

Whether you’re looking to get involved next year or simply want to learn more about how the AMS Judicial System works, you can reach out to the AMS Secretariat at .

Fairness and accountability are important parts of student governance, and the Judicial Council helps ensure those principles remain at the heart of the AMS.