Family Law Provincial Court Practice 2017


Course Date: February 9, 2017

Total: 5h 41min

Welcome and Introduction

Dela Jahani — Boyd Jahani, Barristers & Solicitors, Surrey
Jasmeet Wahid — Kahn Zack Ehrlich Lithwick LLP, Richmond

How to Manage a Provincial Court Family File

  • pleadings and filings (i.e. procedure and process)
  • effective preparation for family law case conferences, pre-trial conferences, hearings, and trials
  • creating and using a trial book for a provincial court trial
  • pitfalls and tips
  • dealing with evidence from criminal and CFCSA proceedings

    Donald Boyd — Boyd Jahani, Barristers & Solicitors, Surrey
    Amanda J. Rose — Atticus Legal, New Westminster

Financial Disclosure

  • successfully obtaining disclosure
  • imputing income
  • collection and enforcement of court orders and agreements
  • working with FMEP

Angela M. Accettura — Family Maintenance Enforcement Program, Burnaby
David C. HalkettMcQuarrie Hunter LLP, Surrey

Break

CFCSA

  • navigating a child protection case effectively
  • tips from director’s and parent’s counsel
  • how the process is different from a family case
  • intersection with the FLA

Corinne P. Feenie — Stewart Feenie, Vancouver
Jeffrey J. Speed — Speed Law Corporation, Vancouver 

Networking Lunch (Provided)

View from the Bench

  • what makes an effective advocate
  • wise words, tips
  • how to assist the court

The Honourable Judge Kathryn J. Ferriss — Provincial Court of BC, Surrey
The Honourable Judge Lyndsay Smith — Provincial Court of BC, Richmond

Jurisdiction: Challenges with Using the Family Law Act in Provincial Court

  • which court
  • pros and cons for each court
  • the legislation and the rules
  • practical and factual limitations

Dela Jahani — Boyd Jahani, Barristers & Solicitors, Surrey
Olga Volpe — Barrister & Solicitor, Manager, Family Law Services, Legal Services Society, Vancouver

Break

Experts Reports

  • when and how to use them
  • notice and how to qualify the expert
  • useful approach to dealing with an expert (if you are opposing the opinion or if you are supporting the opinion)
  • using private experts for a section 211 report – letter of engagement, joint retainer letter, and agreements on costs
  • scope of publically funded Family Justice Services Division

Donald Boyd — Boyd Jahani, Barristers & Solicitors, Surrey
Pam Cripps — Manager, Family Justice Report Service, Abbotsford
Patricia Elliott — Program/Policy Analyst, Family Justice Services Division, Ministry of Justice, Victoria

Dispute Resolution Options

  • mediation, parenting coordination, specialized counseling within a family law context (reunification counseling
  • collaborative practice — the team approach (collaborative lawyers, divorce coaches, financial neutral, child specialist)
  • the BC Collaborative Roster Society Pro Bono Pilot Project
  • duty under the FLA
    • process options
    • family violence screening
       
      Robert Finlay — Finlay Counselling & Mediation Services, New Westminster
      Deirdre Prestage Severide — Severide Law/Sea Change Collaborative Divorce, Delta