The Osgoode Certificate in Provincial Offences Court Practice

Faculty Agenda Download Brochure PDF

As someone whose practice includes POA files, you need to be able to adeptly manage the broad range of challenging situations that arise before, during and after a hearing. Whether it’s knowing what to look for when reviewing disclosure, negotiating at the pre-trial stage, or advancing your case at trial or on appeal, your client’s success at every stage depends upon your ability to navigate the law and procedure while at the same being an effective advocate.

Using a sample case file, the Osgoode Certificate in Provincial Offences Court Practice drills down on the key stages in a POA file ‒ from meeting your client for the first time, conducting the trial, and making submissions on sentencing, to understanding if and how to appeal a decision.

Led by The Hon. Justice Rick Libman, this program is must-attend for paralegals and lawyers practicing in the Provincial Offences Court. Throughout five intensive modules (spread over five months), an expert faculty will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the relevant law and a unique opportunity to hone your written and oral advocacy skills with learn-by-doing exercises and individualized feedback from judges, justices of the peace and senior legal practitioners.

Reserve your place now to take advantage of this unique learning opportunity while earning your full CPD requirements for both 2018 and 2019.

In this practical, hands-on program, you will learn:

• The statutory framework that governs provincial offences
• Role, duties, and professional responsibilities of the POA practitioner
• Strategies for getting the most out of the pre-trial
• Disclosure: when to ask for it, what to look for and how to identify what’s missing
• Charter applications in POA court (including a workshop in how to draft an effective Charter application)
• Effective oral advocacy in POA court:
  • how to prepare for the examination-in-chief
  • key strategies for cross-examining the prosecution’s witness
  • refining sentencing submissions
• Appeals – the law and the strategies

Module 1: Saturday, November 17, 2018
Provincial Offences Court: A Comprehensive Overview
Available for purchase as individual session.

Module 2: Saturday, December 1, 2018
Evidence in POA Matters
Available for purchase as individual session.

Module 3: Saturday, January 19, 2019
The Charter and POA Prosecutions

Module 4: Saturday, February 9, 2019
The Trial, Sentencing and Appeals
Available for purchase as individual session.

Module 5: Saturday, March 2, 2019
Intensive Advocacy Workshops
(In-person attendance required for Module 5)

Faculty

Program Director

• The Hon. Justice Rick Libman, Ontario Court of Justice

Faculty

• Carla Agatiello, Legal Counsel, Ministry of the Attorney General (Ontario)
• Chris Bendick, Senior Counsel, Prosecutions, Regional Municipality of York
• Detective Constable Jackie Brown, Toronto Police Services (Traffic Services)
• Paul Calarco, Barrister & Solicitor
• Gerald Chan, Stockwoods LLP
• The Hon. Justice Steve Coroza, Superior Court of Justice (Ontario)
• His Worship Justice of the Peace Mangesh Singh Duggal, Ontario Court of Justice
• Detective Constable Melissa Elaschuk, Toronto Police Services (Traffic Services)
• Jessyca Greenwood, Greenwood Lam LLP
• Soussanna Karas, Senior Counsel, Litigation, Electrical Safety Authority
• His Worship Justice of the Peace Rizwan Khan, Ontario Court of Justice
• Emily Lam, Greenwood Lam LLP
• Raphael Leong, Manager, Provincial Offences Court Administration, Ontario Court of Justice
• The Hon. Justice Rick Libman, Ontario Court of Justice
• Her Worship Justice of the Peace Paula Liu, Ontario Court of Justice
• Diana Lumba, Legal Counsel, Public Prosecution Service of Canada
• Jamie MacPherson, Manager, Provincial Prosecutions, Ministry of the Attorney General (Ontario)
• Theodore Mercado, Criminal Duty Counsel, Legal Aid Ontario
• Robert Montrose, Detective/Sergeant, Metro Toronto Police Force (retired)
• Stephen Parker, President, Ontario Paralegals Association
• His Worship Justice of the Peace Richard Quon, Ontario Court of Justice
• Hans Saamen, Director of Prosecutions, Regional Municipality of York
• Lorne Sabsay, Barrister & Solicitor
• Serhiy Senatorov, Traffic Law Legal Services
• Her Worship Justice of the Peace Christine Smythe, Ontario Court of Justice
• Richard Stern, Barrister & Solicitor
• Frank Wozniak, (ret. Detective), Forensic Polygraph Examiner, Toronto Polygraph Services Inc.

Agenda

View the PDF Brochure

Fees

Fees include attendance, program materials, continental breakfast, lunch and refreshments for each of the 5 days of the program. The price does not include accommodations. Please inquire about financial assistance. Fees paid by individuals are eligible for a tuition tax credit. Dress is business casual.

Program Changes

We will make every effort to present the certificate program as advertised, but it may be necessary to change the dates, location, speakers or content with little or no notice. In the event of program cancellation, York University and Osgoode Hall Law School’s liability is limited to reimbursement of paid fees.

Certificate of Program Completion

You will receive a certificate upon completion of The Osgoode Certificate in Provincial Offences Court Practice. Participants must attend all program modules and successfully complete the take-home assignment to receive a certificate.

Substitutions, Cancellations and Refunds

Substitution of registrants is permitted at any time. If you are unable to find a substitute, a full refund is available if a cancellation request is received in writing 21 days prior to the program date. If a cancellation request is made with less than 21 days notice, a $150 administration fee will apply. No other refund is available.

Technical Support

In the event you experience technical difficulties, please contact opdsupport@osgoode.yorku.ca for assistance.

FAQs

Have questions? Read our FAQs.

Program Details

Questions on program registration?
Please contact the Registration Team at osgoodepd@osgoode.yorku.ca

Questions on the program content?
Please contact the Program Lawyer:
Stéphane McRoberts at smcroberts@osgoode.yorku.ca