“FINDING WALDO”
ADMISSION & MATERIALS $25
Click here to download the 2015-2016 Season Flyer for 311 Series Open Bar (PDF)
UNDERSTANDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Monday, October 5, 2015
Justice Ellen Murray has agreed to chair this session. There is no question that an allegation of domestic violence complicates the handling of a family law file. Come share in the discussion and learn more about: how to screen a file for domestic violence; how to assess the risk involved in a specific allegation of domestic violence; how to adjust your advocacy in the face of such allegations, (whether your client is the alleged victim or the alleged perpetrator); and how to work with criminal counsel when your client faces criminal charges.
RETHINKING PERMANENCY PLANNING
Monday, November 2, 2015
Justice Stan Sherr will chair this session. The dispositional options available to children who have been found in need of protection and who will not be returning to their parents continue to expand. Adoption, with or without openness, long term foster care with or without access, placement with kith or kin by way of section 57.1 custody orders, and customary care are all possible dispositions. Join in this discussion about permanency planning and the current thinking behind the various dispositional options.
ETHICAL ISSUES FACING FAMILY LAWYERS
Monday, December 7, 2015
Justice Carole Curtis will chair this session. Lawyers owe a duty to their clients and to the court. This session is designed to address, in a practical way, how a lawyer can safely and ethically navigate the new normal of unrepresented litigants, unbundled services and disgruntled clients without violating the rules of professional conduct.
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
Monday, January 11, 2016
Justice Sheilagh O’Connell has agreed to chair this session. Always a favourite, this session will once again identify those cases, statutory or rule changes which will affect you and your practice in the area of domestic or child protection law. A proven time saver, you really do not want to miss this session.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY OFFICE
Monday, February 1, 2016
Justice Marion Cohen will chair this session. Whether your client is a recipient or a payor, you will be expected to know about how family law support orders are enforced in Ontario. For example, what do you do when your client is being brought up on a default? What do you say when your client asks about enforcing an order? How do you draft enforceable orders? Expect to come away with a basic understanding of how the enforcement legislation and the Family Responsibility Office works. Tip sheets and precedents relating to drafting enforceable orders will be provided.
DEFINING THE LIMITS OF PARENTAL RIGHTS
Monday, March 7, 2016
Justice Roselyn Zisman has agreed to chair this session. A parent’s right to decide issues affecting their child is a constitutionally protected right that is subject to court review in certain circumstances.Courts are asked to limit a parent’s right to make decisions affecting their child when the state is concerned that a particular decision will seriously undermine the welfare of the child, or when one parent disagrees with the decision made by a custodial parent. What are the limits placed on parental decision-making and in what situations do courts intervene?
SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND THE AMENDED RULES
Monday, April 4, 2016
Justice Penny Jones has agreed to chair this session. The Family Law Rules were amended in May, 2015 to bring Rule 16 of our rules in line with Rule 20 of the Rules of Civil Procedure. Enhanced adjudicative powers are contained in the new rule, including a judge’s right to weigh evidence, assess credibility and find facts on the paper record as well as the right to order mini hearings on an issue in order to determine whether there is a triable issue. This is truly a sea change. This change in the rules is something every family lawyer must understand.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING
Monday, May 2, 2016
Justice Brian Scully will chair this session. In child welfare cases and in domestic cases, drug and alcohol testing has played an important role in assessing risk posed by a parent when alcohol or drug abuse is an issue in the case. The validity of such testing has recently been questioned. What’s this all about? This session will review the results of the Motherisk Inquiry and will generally discuss the future of drug and alcohol testing in the Family Law context.
PROFESSOR THOMPSON ON THE LAW OF PRIVILEGE
Monday, June 6, 2016
Justice Brian Weagant has agreed to chair this session. Professor Rollie Thompson from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie has agreed to speak to us on the current law of privilege, including solicitor-client privilege, privilege for settlement negotiations, litigation privilege, privilege for confidential information, privilege for child protection informers, etc.
ALL SESSIONS WILL INCLUDE A CASE OF MONTH –
PROFESSIONALISM COMMENTARY
The individual attendance fee for each session is set at $25. This fee will include the cost of refreshments, materials and session security. This is a continuing education program NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Please bring your professional identification as it may be requested prior to admittance.