Appellate Courts Seminar 2021

Overview

This three-day online seminar addressed themes specific to the work of appellate court judges, focusing on developments in medical law and climate change litigation, the use of technology and the law, the revised Ethical Principles for Judges, as well as race and culture in judgments. 

Objective

The objective of this program was to inform participants on new and emerging issues affecting the work of appellate court judges and to provide a forum to discuss the implications of developments in the law and social context regarding the revised ethical principles guiding judicial conduct. 

Summary

Led by a variety of judges and academics, this seminar addressed the following topics: the present state of the science and the Canadian government’s policy on climate change; the law and issues surrounding medical assistance in dying; the revised Ethical Principles for Judges and the boundaries of good ethical behaviour in the work of appellate judges; race and cultural assessments, and methods to address race in judgments; and technology and the law, including discussions on the use of artificial intelligence in judicial decision-making and technological competence.