Identifying Expert Opinions and Evaluating Expert Facts featuring Prof. Palma Paciocco
Opinion evidence is presumptively inadmissible because it offends the division of labour between witnesses (who are to testify to the facts) and judges/juries (who are to draw inferences). While the standard for admitting lay opinion aligns with this rationale, the test for expert opinion evidence does not. Instead, it centres the risks associated with unreliable expert evidence, which are an appropriate focal point. At least two issues result from the misalignment between the rationale for presumptively excluding opinion evidence and the expert opinion admissibility test. First, although expert factual evidence also involves the reliability risks addressed by that test, it is presumptively admissible because it respects the division of labour between witnesses and judges/juries. As such, it may not receive appropriate scrutiny. Second, and relatedly, the challenging exercise of classifying evidence as fact or opinion, and as lay or expert, can have limited payoff for the quality of the evidence admitted at trial. The level of scrutiny applied to expert and opinion evidence should be tied more directly to its risks and benefits. Drawing on doctrinal analysis and case studies, the presentation will advance these critiques while also reviewing the current state of the law opinion and expert evidence.
Participants may claim up to 1.5 hours of CPD with LSBC.
Criminal Scholars Series is a co-production of the Criminal Defense Advocacy Society and Courthouse Libraries BC.
Speaker
Prof. Palma Paciocco
Date
Thursday, November 21st
Time
12.30pm - 2pm
To register
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BCg5AaAuQhO01ACVspru3w
Courthouse Libraries BC is pleased to host the 6th Annual Civility Lunch & Learn for the criminal bar
Please join us for the 6th Annual Civility Lunch & Learn for the criminal bar, joint event organized by Courthouse Libraries BC, Criminal Defence Advocacy Society (CDAS) and the BC Prosecution Service.
Hosts are Gloria Ng, defence counsel and President of CDAS and Andrea Spence, Professional Development Crown Counsel, BC Prosecution Service.
This year's panel will include the Honourable Justice Baljinder Kaur Girn of the BC Supreme Court; the Honourable Judge David St. Pierre of the BC Provincial Court; Phil Riddell KC, defence counsel and Life Bencher for the Law Society of BC; Kevin Westell, defence counsel and Bencher, Law Society of BC; Daniel Song KC, defence counsel; Rosellina Dattilo, Deputy Chief Federal Prosecutor, Public Prosecution Service of Canada, BC Region; Alexandra Rice, Crown Counsel, Public Prosecution Service of Canada and Lisa Dumbrell, Crown Counsel, BC Prosecution Service. This webinar will involve a discussion of best practices and advice when it comes to all issues of civility, including courtroom etiquette, confronting unconscious bias, addressing mental health issues and professional responsibility.
This lunch & learn will start with top tips from our panel, followed by a discussion of hypothetical scenarios, and conclude with a Q&A.
Hosts
Andrea Spence and Gloria Ng
Date
Wednesday, December 4th
Time
1:00pm - 3:00pm
To register
Evaluating forensic science evidence featuring Professor Gary Edmond FRSN FAAL
Drawing upon mainstream scientific practice and advice to the courts, this presentation will explain what lawyers need to know - as a minimum - in order to evaluate and contest forensic science evidence. It is particularly concerned with validation, error, accuracy and cognitive bias. It will use the examples of identification from CCTV images and fingerprint comparison to explain these concepts and their implications. The presentation will also explain why trial safeguards and traditional challenges are often less effective than imagined.
Participants may claim up to 1.5 hours of CPD with LSBC.
Criminal Scholars Series is a co-production of the Criminal Defense Advocacy Society and Courthouse Libraries BC.
Speaker
Professor Gary Edmond FRSN FAAL
Date
Thursday, December 5th
Time
4:30pm - 6:00pm
To register
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More CPD opportunities
Archived webinars
Archived webinars are organized by topic. If you plan to review a previously recorded course for CPD credit, it is your responsibility to ensure that your review of the course meets the Law Society of BC's Eligible Activities for continuing professional development.
Legal research course
This course, which is eligible for CPD credit, is a series of videos that demonstrate how to plan a research strategy and employ specific research skills. In the videos we show you how to use popular legal research tools that are free (CanLII) or that you can use for free at the BC Courthouse Libraries.
Take the course (including self-assessment quiz questions) through the Law Society's Brightspace platform.