Costs 2015


Course Date: October 30, 2015

Course Agenda ▼

Introduction

Greg Palm — Hamilton Duncan Armstrong + Stewart Law Corporation, Surrey

Costs as Between Parties

A. Preparing the Perfect Bill of Costs and Marshaling the Evidence to Prove It

  • an overview of what is recoverable?
  • best drafting practices
  • what you need to prove claimed costs
  • avoiding common mistakes

Kathryn Sainty — Sainty Law, Burnaby

B. I Beat My Offer to Settle…Now What?—Bringing and Defending Applications for Costs Under Rule 9-1

  • understanding the exercise of the court's discretion 
  • reasonableness of offers and the incentive to settle 
  • unlisted but potentially relevant factors 
  • handling the application: applicant vs. respondent

Alexander D.C. Kask — Guild Yule LLP, Vancouver

Networking Break

C. Special Costs: Entitlement and Assessment Issues

  • when will special costs be awarded 
  • the proper venue for assessment 
  • developments relating to assessment principles 
  • disclosure and proof vs. the lawer-client privilege

Trevor E. Hande — Hamilton Duncan Armstrong + Stewart, Surrey

D. A Myriad of Lesser-Understood Costs Points

  • important practice point
  • use the available rules to your client's advantage
  • maximize your client's recovery
  • shift, avoid, or minimize your client's costs liability

Greg Palm — Hamilton Duncan Armstrong + Stewart Law Corporation, Surrey

Networking Lunch

Costs as Between Lawyer and Client

A. Special Considerations for Contingency Fee Agreements

  • the duty to advise
  • contingent fees and the integrity of the profession 
  • fee entitlement on termination prior to recovery 
  • dealing with multiple firms in succession

Andrew P. Morrison — Shields Harney, Vancouver

B. When the Relationship Ends, Will You Be Holding the Bag?

  • withdrawal issues
  • possessory (retaining) liens 
  • liens and charges on litigation proceeds 
  • avoid prejudicing your own claim

Greg Palm — Hamilton Duncan Armstrong + Stewart Law Corporation, Surrey

Networking Break

C. Legal Profession Act Reviews: Perspectives from the Court and Counsel

  • pre-hearing procedures 
  • preparing for the hearing 
  • conducting the hearing 

Master Carolyn P. Bouck — Supreme Court of British Columbia, Victoria
Andrew P. Morrison — Shields Harney, Vancouver
Greg Palm — Hamilton Duncan Armstrong + Stewart Law Corporation, Surrey

Concluding Remarks

Greg Palm — Hamilton Duncan Armstrong + Stewart Law Corporation, Surrey