Family Law Drafting Basics 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


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