Family Law Drafting Basics 2012
Course Date: March 5, 2012
Course Date: March 5, 2012
Day 1: Monday, March 5
Welcome and Introduction
Kathryn L. Basran — Schuman Daltrop Basran & Robin, Vancouver
Todd R. Bell — Schuman Daltrop Basran & Robin, Vancouver
Drafting Plain Language Family Law Agreements
- writing for the audience not the lawyer
- drafting language that is understandable but enforceable
- simplified recitals, simpler operating clauses
John-Paul E. Boyd — Aaron Gordon Daykin Nordlinger, Vancouver
Affidavit Drafting
- technical formatting requirements
- content restrictions and requirements
- drafting reply affidavits
John-Paul E. Boyd — Aaron Gordon Daykin Nordlinger, Vancouver
Networking Break
Pleadings
- common pleadings
- notice of family claim
- response to family claim
- counterclaim
- response to counterclaim
- other useful court forms
- certificate of pending litigation
- Land (Spouse Protection) Act claim
- list of documents
- notice to admit
Morag M. J. MacLeod — Barrister & Solicitor, Vancouver
View From the Bench
The Honourable Mr. Justice Grant D. Burnyeat — Supreme Court of British Columbia, Vancouver
Lunch With a Mentor
Drafting Correspondence
- the basic rules of drafting
- letters, emails, and protecting yourself
- asserting your client’s rights with civility
John-Paul E. Boyd — Aaron Gordon Daykin Nordlinger, Vancouver
James A. W. Schuman, QC — Schuman Daltrop Basran & Robin, Vancouver
Networking Break
Drafting For Parenting Coordination
- parenting coordination and the new Family Law Act
- parenting coordination provisions for separation agreements
- parenting coordination provisions for court orders
- parenting coordination agreements
R. Craig Neville — Watson Goepel Maledy LLP, Vancouver
Negligence Claims Arising Out of Drafting Errors
- how to avoid the most common drafting mistakes
- be careful at all stages of the file
- undertakings
Edna M. Ritchie — Lawyers Insurance Fund, Law Society of British Columbia, Vancouver
Day 2: Tuesday March 6
Drafting Financial Statements
- Form 8: a wish list or an accurate reflection?
- what information should you obtain from your client?
- what documents should you request when reviewing the other party’s financial statement?
- using information in the other party’s financial statement to your advantage
- avoiding your Form 8 being used against you
- imputing income from expenses shown and how to gross up
- introduction to calculation of income under s. 16 of the Child Support Guidelines
- common problems and unusual situations
G. C. (Scottie) Scott — Peterson Stark Scott, Surrey
Angela E. Thiele — Lindsay Kenney LLP, Vancouver
View From the Bench
TBA – a judge from the Provincial Court of British Columbia
Networking Break
Drafting Agreements
- separation agreements
- prenuptial agreements
- cohabitation agreements
- marriage agreements
- independent legal advice
Kathryn L. Basran — Schuman Daltrop Basran & Robin, Vancouver
Scott L. Booth — Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP, Vancouver
Lunch (on your own)
Drafting Orders and Minutes of Settlement
- the “do’s and don’ts”: practical tips on drafting orders
- pet peeves of the registrars
- drafting court orders and minutes of settlement
- settlement conferences
- judicial case conferences
- mediation briefs
Nicola (Nikki) D. Allen — Schuman Daltrop Basran & Robin, Vancouver
Todd R. Bell — Schuman Daltrop Basran & Robin, Vancouver
Networking Break
Professional Conduct Concerns
- ethical implications of drafting
Andrea Brownstone — Manager, Investigations, Monitoring & Enforcement, Law Society of British Columbia, Vancouver
Drafting For Ex Parte and Urgent Applications
- the ethical obligations inherent to ex parte applications
- how to properly advance an urgent issue
- the “do’s and don’ts” of drafting content for ex parte applications
- how to say no to your client: don’t risk being the lawyer who cries wolf
Todd R. Bell — Schuman Daltrop Basran & Robin, Vancouver
Annie C. Kaderly — Aaron Gordon Daykin Nordlinger, Vancouver
Drafting Judicial Case Conference Briefs and Arguments For Short Chambers Applications
- when are each necessary?
- when they are, what ought to be included in each and what ought not?
- doing the cost-benefit analysis for the client
Todd R. Bell — Schuman Daltrop Basran & Robin, Vancouver
Annie C. Kaderly — Aaron Gordon Daykin Nordlinger, Vancouver
Closing Comments and Questions & Answers
Kathryn L. Basran — Schuman Daltrop Basran & Robin, Vancouver
Todd R. Bell — Schuman Daltrop Basran & Robin, Vancouver