CLE Online

Welcome and Introduction

Colleen J. Smith — Ministry of Justice, Vancouver Crown Counsel, Vancouver
Graham J. Underwood — Ministry of Justice, Victoria

Expert Evidence: Case Law Update

• key decisions
• what you need to know
• implications for practice

Dianne M. Wiedemann — Ministry of Justice, Crown Law Division, Vancouver
Graham J. Underwood — Ministry of Justice, Victoria

The Role of the Expert Witness

• is an expert witness necessary?
• when do you need an expert witness?
• what is the proper sphere of opinion evidence?
• the ongoing challenge of novel scientific theories

The Honourable Madam Justice Barbara Fisher — Supreme Court of BC, Vancouver
Richard S. Fowler, QC — Smith and Fowler, Vancouver
Catherine L. Woods, QC — Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP, Vancouver

Networking Break

Retaining and Working with Your Expert Witness

• considerations in choosing an expert
• the process of retaining your expert
• managing communications with your expert
• the expert report

Wendy E. Dawson, QC — Ministry of Justice, New Westminster
Andrew I. Nathanson — Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver

Professional and Ethical Issues around Expert Evidence

• conflicts of interest
• confidentiality
• privilege
• ethics and instructing your expert
• ensuring expert independence

David Layton — Ministry of Justice, Crown Law Division, Vancouver 

Networking Lunch 

Admissibility—the Big Issue

• the test for admissibility
• the gatekeeper role of the trial judge
• dealing with novel scientific evidence
• procedural aspects: civil and criminal

Tracey M. Cohen — Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver
Peter A. Juk, QC — Director, Appeals & Special Prosecutions, Ministry of Justice, Crown Law Division, Vancouver

Examination of Expert Witnesses: Direct and Cross

• identifying your goals
• planning your examination
• conducting your examination
• knowing when enough is enough

The Honourable Judge James Bahen — Provincial Court of BC, Vancouver
Sandra M. Katalinic — QA Law, Vancouver
Elliot Poll — Ministry of Justice, Vancouver Crown Law Division, Vancouver

Networking Break        

Mock Cross-Examination of an Expert Witness

• demonstration and de-brief
• view from the bench and panel discussion

The Honourable Madam Justice Mary A. Humphries — Supreme Court of BC, Vancouver
David G. Butcher, QC — Wilson Butcher, Vancouver
Jonathan Lawrence, PEng — Director, Senior Engineer, Transportation Group, MEA Forensic Engineers & Scientists, Richmond

Concluding Remarks

Colleen J. Smith — Ministry of Justice, Vancouver Crown Counsel, Vancouver
Graham J. Underwood — Ministry of Justice, Victoria