Annual Report 2023-2024

  • June 14, 2024

Summary of Meetings: Family Law - Vancouver

Number of Meetings Held: 8

September 14, 2023
Registration Count: Remote: 80
Guest Speakers: Lucas Terpkosh and Nicola Allen
Meeting Title/Topic: Section 19 and Distributive Taxes
Synopsis: Lucas Terpkosh, CPA, CA, CBV, and Nicola Allen present on distributive taxes and section 19 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines. Lucas is a Chartered Business Valuator with over 10 years of professional experience providing business valuation services. He specializes in business valuations for litigation matters including family law proceedings. Nicola is a partner at Basran Robin Allen & Desilets Family Law Lawyers with over 15 years of family law experience.

October 25, 2023
Registration Count: 117
Guest Speakers: Johanna Stein and Matthew Ostrow
Meeting Title/Topic: Tips on Cohabitation and Marriage Agreements
Synopsis: Matthew Ostrow and Johanna Stein share everything you need to know about cohabitation and marriage agreements.

November 30, 2023
Registration Count: 67
Guest Speakers: Jamie Wood and Anne DeMeulemeester
Meeting Title/Topic: Support Issue Scenarios
Synopsis: Jamie Wood and Anne DeMeulemeester discuss support issues that may arise in scenarios of high income and unusual income-earning patterns. Bring your questions and get them answered!

January 25, 2024
Registration Count: 17
Guest Speakers: Amy Fitzgerald, Kim Hawkins and Samantha Davis
Meeting Title/Topic: Creating Safety in BC Courts: Key Challenges and Recommendations
Synopsis: Amy FitzGerald, Kim Hawkins, and Samantha Davis, present on connections between family violence, technological advancements, and creating safety in BC courthouses. The panel discusses the October 2022 report, “Creating Safety in BC Courts: Key Challenges and Recommendations” led by Haley Hrymak of Rise Women’s Legal Centre. The report explores the experiences of survivors of family violence in BC courtrooms and proposes changes to courthouse design and court processes for the promotion of safety, access to justice, and public confidence in the court system.

February 29, 2024
Registration Count: 56
Guest Speakers: Rebecca Stock and Maja Novcic
Meeting Title/Topic: Registry Practice Tips and Tricks
Synopsis: Rebecca Stock & Maja Novcic provide tips & tricks for Supreme Court Scheduling, Registry and the Court Services Branch. Topics include judicial independence & Scheduling's scope of work, communications with Scheduling, the scope of CSB/ Deputy Registrars, and when to call the Registry.

March 7, 2024
Registration Count: 134
Guest Speakers: The Honourable Justice Sheila Tucker
Meeting Title/Topic: Family Law – Vancouver Dinner
Synopsis: Enjoy dinner, networking, and an inspiring keynote speech by The Honourable Justice Sheila Tucker of the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Justice Tucker brings a wealth of experience, practical insights and a perspective that resonates with both seasoned practitioners and early-career lawyers.

May 23, 2024
Registration Count: 95
Guest Speakers: Dr. Heather Taddy and Vandana Sood
Meeting Title/Topic: Coercive Control and Indirect Violence
Synopsis: Dr. Heather Taddy and Vandana Sood discuss coercive control and indirect violence. Ms. Sood, counsel for the appellant in K.M.N. v. S.Z.M., 2024 BCCA 70, share the key takeaways from this important Court of Appeal decision regarding intimate partner violence. Dr. Taddy will share with us her journey in navigating the court system.

June 27, 2024
Registration Count: TBD
Meeting Title/Topic: Family Law Summer Networking
Synopsis: Enjoy an evening filled with delicious appetizers and opportunities to mingle with colleagues. This is your chance to make connections that last a lifetime! The Family Law - Vancouver Section will be offering door prizes. Join us for your chance to win!