Training that never stops

For the sake of transparency, since 2018, the Council annually publishes a list of courses and seminars available during the previous fiscal year. The following is a list of courses, seminars and other learning activities attended by federally appointed judges to continue their learning and enhance their knowledge.

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Programs (48)
  • December 4 2023 - December 4 2023

    Superior Court of Québec: Division of Family Property - Family Patrimony

    This family-law program dealt exclusively wQuebeith family patrimony. The course began by reviewing the origins of the family patrimony and the basic principles that govern it. The instructor then discussed its composition, deductions, and how to determine its net value. The family patrimony was then examined from a case management perspective. The day ended with a practical exercise in calculating and partitioning the family patrimony, enabling participants to apply what they had learned.

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  • November 7 2023 - November 9 2023

    Superior Court of Québec: Judicial Settlement Conferencing

    This seminar used case studies to help judges develop and practise skills relevant to settlement conferences. Through presentations by experienced judges, interactive demos and breakout exercises, the first part of the seminar familiarized participants with the process for chairing settlement conferences and went over useful techniques and strategies. The second part focused on role-playing, allowing judges to apply these techniques and get feedback from the instructors. The last part examined ethical issues related to settlement conferences through case studies that were discussed in breakout groups and plenary sessions.

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  • October 12 2023 - October 13 2023

    Court of King's Bench of Manitoba Education Seminar

    Drawing on the expertise of experienced judges, academics, and other professionals, this seminar began with concurrent sessions for General Division and Family Division judges. The General Division sessions offered a refresher and update on the law of evidence in relation to: the principled approach to hearsay; the admissibility, proof and use of prior statements of witnesses; the realities of federal and provincial corrections; pre-sentencing reports, Impact of Race and Culture Assessments, and sentencing more generally. The Family Division sessions examined children's evidence and expert evidence in family law; income determination; and updates on new family law jurisprudence. All judges attended sessions on Métis history, rights, and laws, and on judicial review.

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  • October 4 2023 - October 7 2023

    Superior Court of Québec: Annual General Meeting

    This annual general meeting focused on the three dimensions of judicial education, namely developing substantive knowledge, improving skills and competencies, and gaining awareness of the social context surrounding various law and justice issues. The seminar began by continuing a discussion about domestic and family violence that was initiated at the last annual general meeting of the Court. Participants learned about femicide and infanticide, then discussed how to deal effectively with allegations of violence in their role as trial judges. Participants then shared their experiences involving litigants in psychological distress. Other sessions focused on changing demographics in Québec society, the use of social media, and how to deal with criticism. Lastly, a psychologist shared her tips for living well “in the public eye” and a final session dealt with motivation at work.

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  • May 31 2023 - June 2 2023

    Superior Court of Québec: Divisional Meeting (Montréal)

    This divisional meeting focused on the three dimensions of judicial education, namely developing substantive knowledge, improving skills and competencies, and gaining awareness of the social context surrounding various law and justice issues. At the start of the training, issues related to self-represented litigants and contempt of court were studied in depth. Other sessions discussed safeguard orders in family matters, notification outside Québec, and emojis, emoticons and other pictograms and how the law deals with them. Finally, the education seminar included two optional sessions on digital resources offered by the National Judicial Institute to help judges work more efficiently.

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  • May 31 2023 - June 2 2023

    Superior Court of Québec: Divisional Meeting (Québec)

    This spring seminar focused on the three dimensions of judicial education, namely developing substantive knowledge, improving skills and competencies, and gaining awareness of the social context surrounding various law and justice issues. The program began with a discussion of human rights issues, judgment writing and what happens after a treatment order is made. Participants were then introduced to new digital tools and technological information resources available at the Court. The seminar also explored current issues around litigants’ perceptions of, and access to, justice.

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  • April 13 2023 - April 14 2023

    Court of King’s Bench of Manitoba Education Seminar

    This seminar was presented by an experienced faculty of judges, legal academics, and professionals working inside and outside of the legal system. Participants were provided with concrete tools and advice to promote efficient judgment writing and the ability to deliver oral judgments. They explored ways in which judges and courts can better interact with different categories of difficult or abusive litigants. Judges discussed best practices to prepare, manage, and remain resilient when presiding over high-profile trials. A session for General Division judges focused on writing reasons in sexual assault cases and discussed: the impermissible use of common-sense reasoning in assessing credibility; stereotypical reasoning in relation to cross-cultural interpretations of human behaviour; and errors applying W.D. Meanwhile, a session for Family Division judges provided practical approaches to the use parental capacity assessments and culturally based parenting practices. The final session focused on the importance of and need for reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

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