Conference Sessions
8:15am
Breakfast & Check-In
9:00am
Opening Remarks
Justice Eric V. Gottardi, Supreme Court of BC
9:05am
Setting the Stage
Immerse yourself in a fact scenario framing the context for this entire conference. Presented in animated video form, witness the murder unfold and prepare to analyze all the elements at play.
Justice Suhail Akhtar, Superior Court of
Justice (ON)
Justice Eric V. Gottardi, Supreme Court of BC
9:20am
Unpacking the Facts
Dissect the fact scenario to identify all the legal issues resulting from the murder and participate in a discussion of the ethical questions raised, including: How does the accused's mental health impact their criminal responsibility?
Justice Richard Fowler, Supreme Court of
BC
Michelle Booker, BC Prosecution Service, CASP
Tony C. Paisana, Peck and Company
10:05am
Fit to Face the Court?
When the mental state of an accused is in question, a fitness to stand trial assessment determines if they can understand the proceedings and the possible consequences. Explore the procedure for determining fitness post R. v. Bharwani, 2025 SCC 26, and analyze if the accused in our scenario qualifies.
Judge Reginald Harris, Provincial Court of
BC
Michaela Donnelly, KC, BC Prosecution Service
Caroline Senini, Peck and Company
10:45am
Health Break
11:00am
The Capacity for Culpability
The Not Criminally Responsible defence takes an accused’s mental state into consideration when laying out a verdict. While not a loophole or an acquittal, an NCR verdict recognizes that punishing someone with lack of intent due to mental illness is unjust. Consider if this defence applies to our accused and what treatment would be ordered in place of a traditional sentence.
Judge Timothy Hinkson, Provincial Court
of BC
Rob Macgowan, BC Prosecution Service
Rebecca McConchie, McConchie Criminal Law
11:40am
Raising a Reasonable Doubt
Partial defences such as provocation or intoxication are not enough to secure legal innocence on their own, but they can still play an essential role. Should an NCR defence fail, the same evidence can be repurposed and consolidated with other partial defences.
Learn how to create a layered defence strategy to urge the court to consider all the intersecting factors, opening the door to reasonable doubt.
Justice Michael Brundrett, BC Court of
Appeal
Louise Kenworthy, KC, BC Prosecution Service
Ian Donaldson, KC, Donaldson's Law
12:25pm
Lunch
1:20pm
Remarks from CBABC
Menaka Giri, CBABC Provincial Council Member
1:30pm
Expertise Tipping the Scales
Not just anyone can give expert testimony in a trial. A judge must determine if their evidence is relevant, necessary, reliable and impartial, to be considered. Even so, there is a fine line between informed judgement and a trial by expert.
Explore the intricacies of expert evidence, the process of admissibility and the ongoing cost/benefit analysis judges make to filter what evidence is admitted.
Justice Michael Tammen, Supreme Court of
BC
Marko Vojvodic, BC Prosecution Service, CASP
Matthew Nathanson, Matthew Nathanson Law
2:10pm
A Trauma-Informed Courtroom
Criminal proceedings are traumatic for everyone involved. With victims, witnesses and the accused experiencing the brunt of it. To try the case, the events of the crime must be recounted in detail, reminding all parties of the harm that occurred.
Understand how trauma informs the trial process and ways to implement trauma-informed practices to support everyone's well-being.
Justice Janet Winteringham, BC Court of
Appeal
Alexander M. Willms, BC Prosecution Service, CASP
Gloria Ng, Platform Litigation
2:50pm
Health Break
3:05pm
Restorative Approaches to Sentencing
Canada’s ongoing colonialism produces disproportionately high rates of mental health challenges and overrepresentation in the criminal justice system for Indigenous Peoples.
Indigenous Sentencing principles are a Reconciliation effort to address these issues by requiring a judge to consider the unique experiences of an Indigenous accused before sentencing.
Examine these factors and how they may lead to restorative solutions.
Judge Jennifer Lopes, Provincial Court of
BC
Jennifer Horneland, BC Prosecution Service, CASP
Stephanie Dickson, Pender Litigation
3:45pm
Ask the Judges Anything
A panel of judges welcomes any and all questions relating to criminal law. Take this opportunity to ask about recent case law, trial processes, tips to avoid common pitfalls or anything else you'd like to know. Consider your questions in advance and get ready to pose them to the panel.
Justice Janet Winteringham, BC Court of
Appeal
The Hon. Justice Michael Brundrett, BC Court of Appeal
The Hon. Judge Reg Harris, Provincial Court of BC
4:45pm
Closing Remarks
Justice Suhail Akhtar, Superior Court of Justice
4:50pm
Conference Reception
