Direct Examination 2018


Course Date: March 14, 2018

Total: 5h 17min

Welcome and Introduction 

  • course objectives
  • "housekeeping matters"

Lisa Martz — Gudmundseth Mickelson LLP, Vancouver
Marilyn Sandford, QC — Ritchie Sandford McGowan, Vancouver

Preparing Your Lay Witness 

  • practical tips: what works, what doesn't
  • ethical boundaries

Moderator: Lisa Martz  Gudmundseth Mickelson LLP, Vancouver
Jennifer L. Francis — Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver

Best Practices for Direct Examination: What To Do (And What Not To Do) 

  • approaches to organizing the evidence
  • how to guide your witness without leading him or her

Moderator: Lisa Martz Gudmundseth Mickelson LLP, Vancouver
Tracey L. Jackson — Dunnaway, Jackson, Ouellet & Associates, Vancouver 
Jacinta Lawton — Crown Counsel, Ministry of Attorney General, Richmond

Break

Avoiding Evidentiary Mistakes in Direct Examinations 

  • common hearsay problems
  • leading questions
  • oath-helping
  • the narrative rule

Moderator: Marilyn Sandford, QC Ritchie Sandford McGowan, Vancouver
Robert W. Cooper, QC — McEwan Partners, Vancouver
Richard S. Fowler, QC — Fowler and Blok, Vancouver

Networking Lunch

Use of Demonstrative Aids in Direct Examination 

  • the power of demonstrative evidence
  • different kinds of demonstrative aids
  • use of technology in the courtroom

Moderator: Lisa Martz Gudmundseth Mickelson LLP, Vancouver
Daniel L. Mulligan — Crown Counsel, Ministry of Attorney General, Vancouver
Anthony A. Vecchio, QC 
— Slater Vecchio LLP, Vancouver

Dealing with Forgetful, Hostile, and Adverse Witnesses 

  • civil vs. criminal rules for hostile/adverse witnesses
  • refreshing memory and use of past recollection recorded
  • dealing with the witness whose evidence changes on the stand

Moderator: Marilyn Sandford, QC Ritchie Sandford McGowan, Vancouver
The Honourable Associate Chief Judge Melissa A. Gillespie — Provincial Court of BC, Vancouver
Robin N. McFee, QC — Sugden, McFee & Roos LLP, Vancouver

Break

Judges Panel: Do's and Don'ts of Direct Examination 

  • what makes a direct examination persuasive
  • what to avoid

Moderator: Marilyn Sandford, QC Ritchie Sandford McGowan, Vancouver
The Honourable Judge Nancy Adams — Provincial Court of BC, Vancouver
The Honourable Madam Justice Margot Fleming
— Supreme Court of BC, Vancouver

Closing Remarks