Evidence for Litigators (Alberta)

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Program Chairs:
Peter Gibson, Field Law
James Heelan, KC, Bennett Jones LLP
Lillian Pan, KC, Dentons Canada LLP

Your success as a litigator hinges on your mastery of the rules of evidence. This program offers practical information and updates about evidence that every litigator, irrespective of practice area, needs to know.

The plenary program will be held on February 28 and the learning-by-doing skills workshop will be held on March 2. There are two registration options: (1) plenary + workshop or (2) plenary only (see below for more information).

Plenary Details | Tuesday, February 28, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm (MT), Live Online
Esteemed members of the Bench and Bar will provide key insights into how to effectively obtain, use, admit, and challenge evidence at trial. Join us for dynamic presentations, panel discussions, and demonstrations featuring our skilled faculty.

Topics include:

Evidence Update: What Every Trial Lawyer Needs to Know
Top tips for handling hearsay and other objections at trial
Live demonstrations of key skills featuring experienced members of the Bench and Bar
Common evidentiary pitfalls and how to avoid them
Do's and Don'ts from the Bench on how to present your evidence effectively and efficiently

Workshop Details | Thursday, March 2, 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm (MT), In-Person (Calgary or Edmonton) or Live Online
Participants of the Evidence for Litigators plenary session are also eligible to join us for our hands-on skills workshop. The workshop is your chance to practice raising and responding to objections in a supportive environment. Each participant will be asked to prepare and present a slice of an examination-in-chief and a cross-examination with proper questions as well as one or two potentially objectionable questions. When not acting as examining counsel, you will take turns listening to, identifying and objecting to the other side’s improper questions, while stating the basis for the objection. You will then get practical, individualized feedback on your performance from our trained instructors, and will learn from your peers as you work through the interactive exercises in small groups.

The skills workshop will be available in-person in Calgary and Edmonton, or live online via Zoom.

Registration includes electronic materials, which will be provided prior to the program. Registration also includes access to the plenary recording for 30 days from the date of the program.

COVID-19 Protocols:
All in-person attendees are strongly encouraged to wear a mask when not eating, drinking or presenting.

All health and safety protocols remain subject to change as public health measures in the Province of Ontario continue to evolve.

*Due to ongoing concerns with COVID-19, this program may be delivered entirely online. We will keep you informed as public health regulations continue to evolve.

Please review the system requirements to view a Zoom event here.

Faculty Includes:
The Hon. Justice Colin Feasby, Court of King's Bench
The Hon. Justice Robert Graesser, Court of King's Bench
The Hon. Justice Vaughan Hartigan, Court of King's Bench
Bruce Hughson, Department of Justice
Christy J. Lee, Dentons
Valerie R. Prather, KC, Bennett Jones LLP
Vivian Stevenson, KC, Field Law
Kent J. Teskey, KC, Pringle Chivers Sparks Teskey

1:00 – 1:05
Welcome and Introductory Remarks

1:05 – 1:25
Evidence Update: What Every Trial Lawyer Needs to Know
Christy J. Lee, Dentons Canada LLP

1:25 – 2:05
Handling Common Evidentiary Objections at Trial
The Hon, Justice Colin Feasby, Court of King’s Bench
Valerie R. Prather, KC, Bennett Jones LLP
Kent J. Teskey, KC, Pringle Chivers Sparks Teskey LLP

2:05 – 2:25
Demonstration and Commentary: Use of Objections at Trial
The Hon, Justice Colin Feasby, Court of King’s Bench
Valerie R. Prather, KC, Bennett Jones LLP
Kent J. Teskey, KC, Pringle Chivers Sparks Teskey LLP

2:25 – 2:35
Break

2:35 – 3:15
Proper (and Improper) Uses of Evidence
The Hon. Justice Vaughan Hartigan, Court of King’s Bench
Bruce Hughson, Department of Justice
Vivian Stevenson, KC, Field Law

3:15 – 4:00
The View from the Bench
The Hon. Justice Colin Feasby, Court of King’s Bench
The Hon. Justice Robert Graesser, Court of King’s Bench
The Hon. Justice Vaughan Hartigan, Court of King’s Bench

4:00
Concluding Remarks

Excellent and illuminating demonstrations
"Excellent and illuminating demonstrations performed by high-caliber faculty."

Knowing what the trier of fact thinks is beyond helpful
"The amount of time and insight the judges provided was amazing. Knowing what the trier of fact thinks is beyond helpful. This was an amazing CPD!"

Skills instructors created a welcoming, professional environment
"The skills instructors created a welcoming, professional environment for everyone to participate and learn. Their advice and feedback was very helpful as a learning tool."

Eligible CPD Hours:
Information on CPD Hours will be available soon. Please check back for updates.

For information on CPD requirements and accreditation across Canada, please click here.

Pricing:

Plenary + Workshop:
TAS Members: *Discount: $261.75 + Tax | Regular: $349.00 + Tax
Non-members: *Discount: $441.75 + Tax | Regular: $589.00 + Tax

Plenary Only:
TAS Members: *Discount: $156.75 + Tax | Regular: $209.00 + Tax
Non-members: *Discount: $246.75 + Tax | Regular: $329.00 + Tax

*The Advocates' Society is pleased to offer a 25% discount on this program for all lawyers who practise as sole practitioners, or in firms smaller than 5 lawyers, and government lawyers (including lawyers who work for legal aid clinics).

Registration includes educational materials, which will be provided prior to the program. Registration also includes access to the live webcast recording for 30 days from the date the link is sent to you.

TAS Members save up to $100 on half-day programs and up to $200 on programs with a skills workshop. Join us today.

Civil Litigation Skills Certificate Program

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