Affidavit Secrets 2026


Course Date: February 18, 2026

Full Course Materials
Total: 3h 5min
Total Ethics: 30min

Course Introduction and Land Acknowledgement (9:00 – 9:05)

Raymond LeeProgram Lawyer, CLEBC, Vancouver
Andrew P. MorrisonShields Harney, Vancouver
John Douglas ShieldsShields Harney, Vancouver

The Key Elements of Effective Affidavits (9:05 – 9:35)

  • counsel's role in affidavit preparation
  • the questions to ask
  • the five key elements: organized, focused, factual, admissible, and truthful

Aneka Jiwaji Jiwaji Law, Vancouver

Professional Responsibility and Ethics in Affidavit Practice (9:35 – 9:55)

  • understanding the basic rules
  • managing unusual circumstances
  • staying out of trouble with The Law Society of BC

Andrew P. MorrisonShields Harney, Vancouver

Bad Affidavits: How to Recognize and Avoid Common Mistakes (9:55 – 10:25)

  • speculation or argument
  • improper opinion
  • hearsay and double hearsay
  • conclusive
  • irrelevancy and other misadventures

John Douglas ShieldsShields Harney, Vancouver

BREAK (10:25 – 10:40)

Quiz #1 (10:40 – 10:55)

  • test your knowledge
  • vote on the best approach

Andrew P. MorrisonShields Harney, Vancouver

How to Attack a Bad Affidavit (10:55 – 11:20)

  • the "legal judo" approach to dealing with poorly drafted affidavits
  • the types of badly drafted affidavits
  • options for dealing with bad affidavits
  • being thoughtful and strategic to accomplish client goals

Andrew P. MorrisonShields Harney, Vancouver

Quiz #2 (11:20 – 11:35)

  • test your knowledge
  • vote on the best approach

Andrew P. MorrisonShields Harney, Vancouver

View from the Bench Practice Panel (11:35 – 12:25)

  • common problems with affidavits and their remedies 
  • affidavit best practices for counsel
  • ethics and professionalism in the minefield of affidavit practice
  • dealing with problem affidavits in court

Associate Judge Amy PeckSupreme Court of BC, Vancouver
Aneka JiwajiJiwaji Law, Vancouver
Andrew P. Morrison
Shields Harney, Vancouver

John Douglas ShieldsShields Harney, Vancouver

Closing Remarks (12:25 – 12:30)

Andrew P. MorrisonShields Harney, Vancouver
John Douglas ShieldsShields Harney, Vancouver