Legal Research 2016


Course Date: November 17, 2016

Total: 5h 3min
Course Agenda ▼

Welcome and Introduction

Grace M. Pastine — BC Civil Liberties Association, Vancouver
Sheila M. Tucker — Shapray Cramer Fitterman Lamer LLP, Vancouver

Using Legal Research in Advocacy: A View from the Bench

  • how legal research, and the proper use of authorities, can maximize the persuasive effect of written and oral submissions
  • tactics for effective advocacy

The Honourable Lynn Smith, QC — Faculty of Law at Allard Hall, UBC, Vancouver

Beyond Books: The BC Courthouse Library Society

  • introduction to the Courthouse Library
  • finding and researching legislation
  • conducting journal research
  • cost-efficient research strategies

Katrina Leung — Courthouse Libraries BC and Intuos Law, Vancouver

Networking Break

Researching Aboriginal Law

  • overview of leading cases that should guide research
  • recognizing key legal issues that pertain to Aboriginal law ethnographic materials and the historical documentary record

Michael Bissonnette — Mandell Pinder LLP, Vancouver
Darren Friesen — Historian – Mandell Pinder LLP, Vancouver

Networking Lunch and Learn
Optional Session: An Introduction to CLEBC Research Resources

Research Strategies to Unlock the Mystery of Statutory Interpretation

  • methods of approaching issues of statutory interpretation
  • understanding and determining the intent of the legislature

Meg Gaily — Lawson Lundell LLP, Vancouver

US Legal Research: The Devil is in the Details

  • the US court system
  • researching US law
  • the role of US law before Canadian courts

Professor Emeritus Penny A. Hazelton — School of Law, University of Washington, Seattle

Networking Break

Electronic Research of Canadian Law: New Developments and Best Practices

  • creating a legal research plan
  • choosing from the different electronic databases (Canada, Lexis, CanLII)
  • the latest enhanced functions
  • best practices for using the resources
  • free resources and pros and cons of various sources

Do-Ellen S. Hansen — Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Vancouver

Concluding Remarks