The ruling that ousted Rob Ford as mayor and catapulted the city into confusion sparked a flood of clarifying questions on Tuesday. As the smoke clears, here are answers to some common queries about where things stand with Ford and the city’s future — for now.

Q: Is Rob Ford still mayor?

A: Yes. Judge Hackland’s ruling orders Ford to vacate his office after 14 days. So, as things stand now, Ford will continue his mayoral duties as usual until Dec. 10.

Q: Has he appealed?

A: Yes. On Dec. 5, Ford’s lawyer, Alan Lenczner, will request a three-judge panel at the Divisional Court to “stay,” or put on hold, Hackland’s order that Ford leave office until an appeal decision is reached. If the stay is granted, Ford will remain mayor as the appeal goes before the courts. The first available date for an appeal hearing is Jan. 7.

Q: What if the stay isn’t granted?

A: Then Ford will vacate his seat as ordered and await the appeal decision.

Q: Can he appeal again if it’s denied?

A: No, he gets one shot.

Q: Who pays Ford’s legal fees, anyway?

A: Ford is paying his own legal fees. However, the city solicitor said Tuesday that if he is successful on appeal, he could apply to the city to cover some of his costs.

Q: Okay, so if Ford does have to vacate his seat, what happens?

A: Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday will assume his duties until council can hold an emergency meeting and decide what to do next.

Q: Can council appoint a new mayor?

A: Yes. Council can appoint a caretaker mayor until the next election on Oct. 27, 2014, or order a $7 million citywide mayoral by-election.

Q: What’s this 60-day deadline I’ve heard about?

A: If the appeal is denied, council will have 60 days from that point to choose a caretaker mayor or order a by-election.

Q: What are the rules for council appointing an interim mayor?

A: The Municipal Act says the council must “appoint a person to fill the vacancy.”

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Q: What about the rules for calling a by-election?

A: Council would pass a bylaw calling a by-election. A deadline for nominations to be filed would be set within 60 days of the bylaw passing. Voting day happens 45 days after the nomination deadline.

Q: So can Ford run in the by-election or can’t he?

A: No, he can’t, according to city solicitor Anna Kinastowski. She told council Tuesday that, in her opinion, the “current term” the ruling bans Ford from running in means 2010-2014. But he can run in 2014. Ford’s advisers disagree, and say he could run in a by-election before 2014.

Q: Why can’t Justice Hackland just clarify what he meant by “current term”?

A: He can — he just needs to be asked by one of the lawyers on either side. It’s common practice for judges to issue short clarifications on rulings, says John Mascarin, a municipal specialist at Aird and Berlis LLP.

Q: If there is no mayor, how will the city run? Who will make decisions?

A: City councillors have said they will pull together to keep council running until the appeal decision is made.

Q: Hey, what about that other court case against Ford?

A: A decision is pending in the $6 million libel lawsuit launched against Ford by restaurant owner George Foulidis. A decision is expected in about two months.

Q: Is there anything else Ford needs to worry about?

A: A forensic accounting company is auditing his campaign finances. Their opinion on whether he contravened the Municipal Elections Act is also expected in the next two months. If they decide he has, the city’s compliance audit committee could lay charges. One potential penalty under the law is removal from office.