UPCOMING SEMINARS
All our seminars are accredited for CPD credit with every Canadian Law Society (except Quebec).
Top Cases of 2024 Awards
11am MST, Friday, December 6th, 2024
It’s time for one of the most anticipated (and popular) seminars of the year. Join Professor Steven Penny and Professor Peter Sankoff in their fifth annual End of Year Review, taking a look at the jurisprudential highlights and lowlights from 2024. They analyze the key cases, add their insight, and make a few predictions for 2025.
Steven Penney is a Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Alberta. He researches, teaches, and consults in the areas of criminal procedure, evidence, substantive criminal law, privacy, and law and technology and has been a long-time friend and supporter of CDE.
Lost or Destroyed Evidence: Arguments for the defence for Charter breaches, remedies, and evidentiary weight
11am MST, Friday, January 10th, 2025
In reviewing disclosure, it is often easy to identify the evidence that the police failed to secure that is by the time of the charge either lost or destroyed. The difficulty is convincing a trial court that it matters. Join Jennifer Ruttan as she explains the potential arguments and the guiding case law that can be advanced to persuade a trial judge to care about the lost or destroyed evidence and to impose the appropriate remedy which may include a stay of proceedings, exclusion of evidence, or affording other evidence little weight.
Jennifer Ruttan is a partner at Ruttan Bates Barristers and Solicitors. Her practice is dedicated primarily to criminal defence work, both as trial and appellate counsel. The scope of Jennifer’s practice also includes representing clients with quasi-criminal matters, such as Income Tax Act and Securities Act offences. The varied practice has afforded Jennifer extensive experiences in all levels of court, administrative tribunals, judicial dispute resolution, and mediation.
Improper Crown Cross Examination – A Refresher
11am MST, Friday, February 10th, 2025
As a Minister of Justice, the Crown cannot cross-examine in the same manner as the defence, but it is not always easy to spot when the Crown is “crossing the line”, and treading into dangerous territory. In this refresher seminar, Professor Sankoff will take you through all of the areas of concern, and gets you prepped to make the correct objection to improper Crown cross-examination!
Section 10 of the Charter: Recent Developments
11am MST, Friday, March 14th, 2025
Professor Penney will review the elements of section 10(a) and 10(b) challenges and examine recent trends in the jurisprudence, including issues such as the test for detention; what it means to “invoke” the right to counsel; whether police must provide access to counsel at the scene; what constitutes a “reasonable” opportunity to speak to counsel of choice; waiver; and the circumstances in which detainees are entitled to renewed consultation.
Steven Penney is a Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Alberta. He researches, teaches, and consults in the areas of criminal procedure, evidence, substantive criminal law, privacy, and law and technology and has been a long-time friend and supporter of CDE.
Sexual Assault – New Update
11am MST, Friday, April 11th, 2025
The law governing sexual assault trials evolves more quickly than most people can keep up. In this seminar, Peter Sankoff gives an update and discusses the latest trends and developments. Expect to hear updates about “myths and stereotypes”, the law governing s 276, the records regime and more.
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