Registration Opens and Refreshments Served

Opening Remarks from Co-Chairs

Case Law Review [Expanded for 2018]

An in-depth examination of the most-important case law from the past year. Take a detailed look at the impacts of the most recent administrative tribunal and judicial decisions, as well as a look forward to the most-anticipated decisions of 2019.

Networking Refreshment Break

Charting the Charter — Recent Constitutional Interpretation Trends

Take a step back from the case law review to examine the broader trends of Charter analysis across Canada. Join our speakers for a coast-to-coast look at important Charter interpretation trends, and their relevance for your daily practice.

Spotlight on Standard of Review — Applications in the Decade Since Dunsmuir

• A look back to Dunsmuir — what have been the consequences to administrative practice?
• A comprehensive analysis of major decisions from the past year
• The “reasonableness” standard — what can we anticipate from the court’s willingness to re-assess the reasonableness standard?

Networking Luncheon

PANEL

Culturally Competent Adjudication [EDI PROFESSIONALISM HOURS]

Ensuring that administrative bodies are meaningfully inclusive and accommodating for lawyers, paralegals, and parties to the tribunal process is a necessity. Join our panelists for a discussion on how boards and tribunals can address the practical realities of hearing accommodation, cultural competence, and safeguarding against real and perceived bias.

Networking Refreshment Break

Procedurally Fair Administrative Tribunals: The Law Firm Model

• The problem with ghostwriting
• Handling conflicts of interest and perceived bias
• Encouraging diverse views
• Becoming or staying current (CLE)

PANEL

Spotlight on Procedural Fairness — Self-Represented and Underrepresented Litigants

Ensuring procedural fairness while still balancing the need for public understanding and accessibility can be difficult for any lawyer or paralegal.

• Striking the right balance between procedural integrity and public accessibility
• Dealing with vexatious litigants, as well as the presumption of vexatiousness
• Practical takeaways from the NSRLP regarding their most recent research and integrating that knowledge into your daily practice

Closing Remarks and Conference Adjourns

Registration Opens and Refreshments Served

Opening Remarks from Co-Chairs

PANEL

Interactive Legal Ethics Session [PROFESSIONALISM HOURS]

Join our panel of seasoned legal experts for an interactive session designed to elicit honest responses regarding the ethical issues confronted by tribunal members, counsel, and parties. Use anonymous clickers to benchmark your interpretations of ethical dilemmas with those of your peers.

Networking Refreshment Break

KEYNOTE

Increasing Public Accessibility and Understanding of Administrative Proceedings

Networking Luncheon

PANEL

Effectively Communicating Decisions

Whether you’re a tribunal member, counsel, or a party appearing in front of a tribunal, you recognize the necessity of ensuring that decisions are explained in a clear and concise manner. Join our panelists from tribunals, industry, and private practice for a broad range of perspectives and practical tips designed to ensure that parties can clearly delineate tribunal reasoning. Learn essential tips for communicating decisions internally, in order to encourage consistency.

Networking Refreshment Break

SPOTLIGHT ON INQUIRIES, INVESTIGATIONS, AND INSPECTIONS

Practical Advice for Running Effective Public Inquiries

• Why are public inquiries created and how are they different from civil and criminal trials?
• Types of public inquiries
• The role of the commissioner, commission counsel and other members of the commission team
• Rules of evidence at a public inquiry
• The role of counsel for parties with standing at a public inquiry
• Writing the public inquiry report and drafting the recommendations
• Measuring the success of a public inquiry

SPOTLIGHT ON INQUIRIES, INVESTIGATIONS, AND INSPECTIONS

Inspections vs. Investigations — Ensuring Procedural Clarity and Fairness

• Legal frameworks governing inspections and investigations — key case law updates and Charter considerations
• Gathering evidence vs. monitoring compliance — ensuring that these phases are meaningfully separate
• Documentation best practices to ensure clear delineations between inspection and investigation proceedings
• Special considerations when dealing with Administrative Monetary Penalties

Closing Remarks and Conference Concludes