Program Chairs:
Daniel Brown,
Daniel Brown Law LLP
Cynthia Spry,
Babin Bessner Spry LLP
Your most important role as an advocate is to help your clients and witnesses be heard. Examination-in-Chief is the heart of your case. Learn the techniques used by experienced counsel to help key witnesses tell a compelling story. Set yourself and your witnesses up for success at this fundamental skills program.
The plenary program will be held on November 28 and the
learning-by-doing skills workshop will be held on November 29. There are three registration options: (1) Zoom plenary + Zoom workshop, (2) Zoom plenary + in-person workshop (Toronto); or (3) Zoom plenary only (see below for more information).
Plenary Details | Tuesday, November 28, 2023, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm (ET) (Via Zoom)
Join us live online November 29 for a practical session on examinations-in-chief, featuring panel discussions and dynamic demonstrations that bring theory to life. Judges and leading litigators will take you step-by-step through their approaches to preparing for and conducting effective examinations-in-chief. Find out how to properly prepare yourself and your witnesses to lead credible evidence at trial, and receive effective strategies for organizing your questions in a natural and coherent sequence.
Topics will include:
- Whether or not to call witnesses (analyzing risk vs. reward)
- The persuasive use of documents and exhibits
- Organizing yourself and your witness before and during a hearing or trial
- How to get the best quality evidence across when multiple witnesses are available
- Tips for refreshing memory, examining experts, avoiding objections, and more
Workshop Details | Wednesday, November 29, 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm (ET) (Via Zoom or In Person - Toronto)
Participants of the plenary session are also eligible to join us for our learning-by-doing skills workshop on November 29, with in-person and online options available. The workshop is your chance to get on your feet and practise your examination-in-chief skills in a supportive learning environment. You will get practical, individualized feedback from our trained instructors on your technique and form, and will be given the opportunity to work with exhibits. You will also learn from your peers as you work through the interactive exercises in small groups.
Please note that the workshop requires advance preparation based on a mock case file, which will be provided to you in advance of the workshop. Please ensure that you set aside enough time to prepare for the workshop, which may take up to a half-day to prepare for, depending on your level of experience.
Registration includes electronic materials, which will be provided prior to the program. Registration also includes access to the live online plenary recording for 30 days from the date the link is sent to you.
The skills workshop is available via Zoom, or in person at The Advocates' Society, 2700-250 Yonge Street, Toronto.
Please review the system requirements to view a Zoom event here.