Program Chairs:
Rose Keith, KC,
Harper Grey LLP
Tony C. Paisana,
Peck and Company
Litigating claims related to sexual violence is complex and multi-faceted. You may find yourself acting for a client in a civil claim, a regulatory proceeding, workplace safety investigation, or human rights tribunal, and usually where there are related criminal proceedings ongoing. In these circumstances, you need to consider evidentiary and procedural issues along with the big picture strategy – what does my client want? And present in every facet of the litigation is a client dealing with trauma. It’s an area where civil litigation meets criminal, and lawyers from both those practice areas have a lot to learn.
Join us for this unique program, bringing together experienced B.C. counsel and judges to teach you the basics of litigating sexual violence claims.
You will learn how to:
- To identify the causes of action that may arise in an instance of sexual violence and the venues for pursuing a claim and the related defenses
- The perspectives of plaintiff and defense counsel on how to approach pursuing or defending claims related to sexual violence
- The cross-over between civil and criminal issues in these files
- Evidentiary issues to consider
- Potential remedies available to plaintiffs
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.
Please review the system requirements to view a Zoom event here.
Faculty Includes:
The Hon. Justice Simon R. Coval, Supreme Court of British Columbia
The Hon. Justice H. William Veenstra, Supreme Court of British Columbia
Cherisse Friesen, Ministry of Attorney General Province of British Columbia
Irina Kordic, Murphy Battista LLP
Kevin McLaren, Hammerco Lawyers
Janelle O'Connor, Murphy Battista LLP
Megan Rehill Ellis, KC, Megan Ellis & Company Lawyers
Rebecca Robb, Hunter Litigation Chambers
Caroline Senini, Peck and Company
Mike Shirreff, Sugden, McFee & Roos LLP
William B. Smart KC, Hunter Litigation Chambers
Rachel Wood, Harper Grey LLP
9:00 – 9:05
Welcome and Introductory Remarks
Tony Paisana, Peck and Company
9:05 – 9:35
Sexual Violence Litigation 101: How are Sexual Violence Claims Unique?
The Hon. Justice Simon R. Coval, Supreme Court of British Columbia
Megan Rehill Ellis KC, Megan Ellis & Company Lawyers
Moderator: Tony Paisana, Peck and Company
9:35 – 10:20
Strategic Considerations for Advancing or Defending a Claim
Cherisse Friesen, Ministry of Attorney General Province of British Columbia
Irina Kordic, Murphy Battista LLP
Kevin McLaren, Hammerco Lawyers
Moderator: Rose Keith, Harper Grey LLP
10:20 – 11:00
Intersection with Criminal Law, Human Rights Law and Regulatory Proceedings
Caroline Senini, Peck and Company
Rebecca Robb, Hunter Litigation Chambers
Moderator: Tony Paisana, Peck and Company
11:00 – 11:15
Break
11:15 – 11:55
Managing Evidentiary Issues Before and At Trial
The Hon. Justice H. William Veenstra, Supreme Court of British Columbia
William B. Smart KC, Hunter Litigation Chambers
Rachel Wood, Harper Grey LLP
Moderator: Rose Keith, Harper Grey LLP
11:55 – 12:25
Remedies: Damages and Beyond
Janelle O'Connor, Murphy Battista LLP
Mike Shirreff, Sugden, McFee & Roos LLP
Moderator: Tony Paisana, Peck and Company
12:25 – 12:30
Closing Remarks
Rose Keith, Harper Grey LLP
Eligible CPD Hours:
The Advocates' Society is an approved CPD provider with the Law Society of British Columbia. This program is eligible for up to 3.5 total hours of CPD credits, including 1.0 hour of Professional responsibility, ethics and practice management.
This program contains 0.25 EDI Professionalism Hour(s), 0.75 Professionalism Hour(s) and is eligible for up to 2.5 Substantive Hours.
This organization has been approved as an Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content by the Law Society of Ontario.
For information on CPD requirements and accreditation across Canada,
please click here.
Register today for this unique opportunity to learn the complexities of litigating sexual violence claims in B.C.
Pricing:
TAS Members: Regular: $235.00 + Tax | Discount: $176.25 + Tax (please see below)*
Non-members: Regular: $369.00 + Tax | Discount: $276.75 + Tax (please see below)*
Sole practitioners, lawyers who practise in firms with fewer than 5 lawyers, and government lawyers (including lawyers who work for legal aid clinics) can take advantage of a 25% discount off the registration fee for this program. If you are eligible for this discount, please enter SSG2025 in the appropriate field at check-out.
*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).
TAS Members save up to $100 on half-day programs and up to $200 on programs with a skills workshop. Join us today.