Program Chair
Caroline Mandell
Legal Communication Consultant
As an adjudicator, your decisions should be well-reasoned, accessible, and tailored to serve your audience effectively.
Enhance your decision-writing skills with expert guidance and personalized feedback.
This intensive, two-day workshop builds on foundational principles from previous decision-writing programs by SOAR and OsgoodePD. Designed for adjudicators, this hands-on experience focuses on refining your decision-writing skills through personalized feedback on your unique writing style. Engage with experienced adjudicators and explore best practices for clear, effective, and impactful decisions.
Please Note: Due to the hands-on, interactive nature of this program, live attendance is mandatory. Content will not be available for archived viewing.
What You’ll Learn
You will:
Develop audience-focused decision writing
Craft engaging introductions using narrative techniques
Master point-first and context-driven writing
Refine your writing process for clarity and impact
Received personalized feedback from experienced adjudicators and writing instructors
PLUS! In small groups, you will refine your decision-writing skills and master point-first writing principles. Practical custom-designed exercises will help enhance clarity the paragraph, sentence, and word level. Gain confidence in delivering both oral and written decisions.
This program is strictly capped to ensure an interactive and advanced learning experience.
Please Note: This program requires PRE-PROGRAM PREPARATION
- Participants will be asked to submit electronically a decision they have written (8 to 15 pages in length, featuring more than one issue) by noon ET on April 10, 2025.
- Participants who are unable to submit a decision for review can request a copy of a generic decision to work with during the program.
- More detailed instructions about how to submit a decision or request a generic decision will be sent by email by the last week of March 2025.
- Facilitators will review the decision, using a template of the key learning objectives, to provide feedback to each participant, and to help participants prepare to revise the decision during the course.
- In the workshops, participants will mostly be working on revisions to the decision they submit. For that reason, they are strongly encouraged to have their submitted decision easily accessible either in hard copy or electronically to make revisions during the sessions.
Who Should Attend
Graduates of the OsgoodePD/SOAR Certificate in Adjudication OR
Participants who have completed Effective Decision Writing (SOAR/OPD – 1 day workshop) OR
Experienced decision-writers, reviewers, and counsel with administrative and regulatory agencies, boards and tribunals (at least 2-3 years of adjudicative experience)
Faculty
Program Chair
Caroline Mandell
Legal Communication Consultant
Past Instructors
Shelley Appleby-Ostroff
Legal Talent Development, Consultant & Writing Coach, SAO Legal Writing; Former Sessional Professor, University of Ottawa Faculty of Law’s Legal Writing Academy
Caroline Mandell
Legal Communication Consultant
Virginia McRae
Sessional Professor, University of Ottawa Faculty of Law
Barbara Morris
Professor, Humber College (retired)
Register
Apr 24-25, 2025
$1,395 + TAX
Time
9:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m (ET)
Printable registration form
If a downloadable form is required, please contact OsgoodePD@osgoode.yorku.ca.
“Is financial assistance or funding available?”
As law evolves, we know how important it is to stay up to date. We also understand the financial implications of continuously upgrading your professional skills and knowledge. For more information on available options, including Job Grants, OSAP, please visit:
CPD and Accreditation
Please Note
Final CPD accreditation has yet to be confirmed. The hours below are for the 2021 iteration of the program and should be used as an estimate only. Confirmed hours will be available soon.
OsgoodePD is an accredited provider with the LSO, the Law Society of BC and NY CLE Board. Select your location to view the eligible hours you may claim.
| Substantive | 10h 5m |
|---|---|
| Professionalism | 2h 15m |
| Total | 12h 20m |
Are you reporting hours from a previous date?
View our CPD & Accreditation page to see previously calculated hours for this course.
Deeper Learning Opportunities
LLMs
Are you a law graduate or an executive/senior professional with at least 5 years of specialized experience? Consider a full-time or part-time LLM degree.
Part-time LLMs Full-time LLMsThe Osgoode Certificate
Stay competitive with deep dives into the most critical issues in law. Taught by leading experts and designed for flexible learning, choose from multi-day programs or take courses at your own pace to build towards a certificate.
Explore certificatesSingle Course Enrollment
Do you have an LLB/JD? Consider taking a single LLM course for deeper learning in a specific area of practice – all credits will apply towards a Professional LLM.
Explore LLM coursesFrequently Asked Questions
Client and Technical Support
Have questions? Get advice in person, by email or over the phone.
Program content questions
Gail Geronimo, Program Lawyer
ggeronimo@osgoode.yorku.ca
Registration questions
Technical support
Online Technical Requirements
To ensure you do not encounter any issues that will impact or limit your learning experience, please review the following information.