CLE Online

Welcome and Introduction 

Panel of Learned Litigators 

• civil litigation strategic advice
• chambers war stories — lessons from the front line
• Q & A

Robert W. Cooper, QC — McEwan Cooper Dennis LLP, Vancouver
Douglas R. Eyford, QC — Eyford Macaulay Shaw & Padmanabhan LLP, Vancouver
J. Kenneth McEwan, QC — McEwan Cooper Dennis LLP, Vancouver

25 Tips to Supercharge Your Written Advocacy 

• good writing can win marginal cases and bad writing can lose good ones
• 25 tips to improve your written advocacy
  • practical and easy to implement right away in every case

Michael Feder — McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Vancouver

Break

How to Utilize Receivers in Commercial Litigation 

• strategic use of receivers to obtain evidence in litigation from third parties
• distinguishing among privilege, confidentiality, and admissibility
• use of evidence from receivers or other court officers in litigation

David E. Gruber — Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP, Vancouver

Serving as Counsel in Other Provinces: Tips and Traps 

• getting to the local courts: the freedoms and restrictions of the Mobility Agreement
• appearing before the local courts: Do you gown? Do you say "good morning"? Do you introduce all counsel? Regional practices and idiosyncrasies
• easing your dealings with the local courts: shortcuts and insider secrets

Luciana P. Brasil — Branch MacMaster LLP, Vancouver

Pre-trial Injunctions: A Practical Guide 

• gathering and drafting the evidence to meet the test
• arguing irreparable harm and balance of inconvenience
• seeking Mareva and Anton Piller orders
• jurisdictional issues regarding the Internet including Norwich
• pharmacal orders and the impact of Equustek
• ethics, professionalism, and the duty of candour

Christopher S. Wilson — Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, Vancouver 

Under the Covers 

• claims and activities that the LSBC insurance program compulsory policy covers
• risks the compulsory policy doesn't cover, such as trust shortages caused by fraudsters and thieves
• commercial liability insurance products that help protect you from those risks

Coran Cooper-Stephenson — Claims Counsel, Lawyers Insurance Fund, Vancouver
Maryanne Prohl — Claims Counsel, Lawyers Insurance Fund, Vancouver

Lunch

Jurisdictional Defences Under the Court Jurisdictions and Proceedings Transfer Act

• overview of provisions of the CJPTA
• practical considerations for effectively advancing jurisdictional defences in litigation
• implications of recent case law on forum non conveniens

Karen L.M. Carteri — Nathanson Schachter & Thompson LLP, Vancouver

Dealing with Lay Litigants: Best Techniques and Potential Pitfalls 

• ethical issues
• pitfalls
• best practices

Robyn A. Jarvis — Harris & Company LLP, Vancouver

Ruminations on the "New Rules": Once More Unto the Breach 

• the context: from whence have we come
• the content: opportunities for innovation
• the culture: where from here?

Peter C.P. Behie, QC — Ramsay Lampman Rhodes, Nanaimo

Break

Do Not Hit Send: Getting Along with Opposing Counsel 

• courtesy in the face of adversity
• problem solving v. advocating
• maintaining perspective

D. Michael Bain — HHBG Lawyers, Vancouver 

Judicial Panel 

• Q & A: insights from behind the Bench on best practices in civil litigation and chambers advocacy

Moderator: David A. Crerar — Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Vancouver
The Honourable Mr. Justice Ward K. Branch — Supreme Court of BC, Vancouver
Master Leslie J. Muir — Supreme Court of BC, Vancouver

Concluding Remarks