Civil Litigation Basics for Legal Support Staff 2012


Course Date: June 14, 2012

Course Agenda ▼

Welcome and Introduction

Ann Halkett — Litigation Support Coordinator, Alexander Holburn Beaudin & Lang LLP, Vancouver

Privilege

  • what is privilege
  • the types of privilege and when they apply
  • how privilege can be lost

Daniel R. Bennett — Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP, Vancouver

Ethical Issues

  • confidentiality
  • undertakings
  • the duty to keep the lawyer informed
  • trust accounts

Vernon J. Pahl — Guild Yule LLP, Vancouver

Networking Break

Trial Preparation

  • organizing the file/documents
  • how to arrange a trial date
  • overview of the steps/court forms required
  • tips from the registry/e-filing

Teresa M. Tomchak — Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP, Vancouver

Networking Lunch

Preparing Chambers Applications

  • types of applications that may be heard
  • setting up your file
  • dealing with lay litigants
  • Rules governing chambers
  • who should hear the application: master or judge
  • basic drafting principles
  • drafting the forms

Pamela Fleming — Paralegal, Alexander Holburn Beaudin & Lang LLP, Vancouver
Debra Grahn — Paralegal, Alexander Holburn Beaudin & Lang LLP, Vancouver

What the Master Wants

  • showing initiative in preparing documents
  • the rationale behind court requirements
  • what masters read and what they don’t
  • what the master needs to proceed

Master Peter J. Keighley — Supreme Court of BC, New Westminster

Networking Break

Bill of Costs

  • how to prepare a bill of costs on behalf of your client
  • A to Z on disbursements—what can you claim?
  • how to review a bill of costs from the opposite side
  • settling a bill of costs
  • preparing for an assessment of costs before the registrar

Jasbir S. Bains — Paralegal, Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP, Vancouver

Practice Panel

Master Peter J. Keighley — Supreme Court of BC, New Westminster
Angela Cardoso — Deputy District Registrar, Supreme Court of BC, Vancouver
Teresa M. Tomchak — Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP, Vancouver

Closing Questions and Remarks

Ann Halkett — Litigation Support Coordinator, Alexander Holburn Beaudin & Lang LLP, Vancouver