Legal Research 2014


Course Date: October 28, 2014

Total: 1h 14min
Course Agenda ▼

Welcome and Introduction

Grace M. Pastine — BC Civil Liberties Association, Vancouver
Ricard F. Pochkhanawala — Lawson Lundell LLP, Vancouver

Using Legal Research in Advocacy: A View From the Bench

  • how legal research, and the proper use of authorities, can maximize the persuasive effect of written and oral submissions
  • tactics for effective advocacy

The Honourable Lynn Smith, QC — Faculty of Law at Allard Hall, University of BC, Vancouver

Beyond Books: The BC Courthouse Library Society

  • introduction to the Courthouse Library
  • finding and researching legislation

Meghan Maddigan — Courthouse Libraries BC, Vancouver

Networking Break

Cost-Efficient and Effective Research Strategies

  • creating a legal research plan
  • conducting efficient research with financial constraints
  • explaining the importance of research to clients

Margaret “Peggy” Stanier — Stevens Virgin, Vancouver

Electronic Research of Canadian Law: New Developments and Best Practices

  • best practices in using and choosing between the different electronic databases (WestlawNext Canada, Lexis, CanLII), and their upgraded functions, in the research of Canadian law

Do-Ellen S. Hansen — Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Vancouver

Lunch (on your own)

Research Strategies to Unlock the Mystery of Statutory Interpretation

  • methods of approaching issues of statutory interpretation
  • understanding and determining the intent of the legislature

Bronwyn Guiton — Lawson Lundell LLP, Vancouver 
Lisa A. Peters — Lawson Lundell LLP, Vancouver

When and How to Research Foreign and International Law

  • the role of foreign and international law before Canadian courts
  • researching foreign law, generally
  • researching international law
  • researching US law

Carmen Cheung — BC Civil Liberties Association, Vancouver
Raji Mangat — BC Civil Liberties Association, Vancouver

Networking Break

Researching the Decisions of Tribunals and Quasi-Judicial Bodies

  • searching for tribunal decisions
  • finding the leading decisions of a tribunal
  • has the tribunal’s decision been judicially reviewed?

Mark G. Underhill — Underhill, Boies Parker, Vancouver

Concluding Remarks

Grace M. Pastine — BC Civil Liberties Association, Vancouver
Ricard F. Pochkhanawala — Lawson Lundell LLP, Vancouver