All online; combination of live and asynchronous learning.
Certificate
Designed as a deeper learning experience for all professionals, certificates are intensive, practice-based programs taught by faculty with real-world experience.
Handling Summary Conviction Offence Cases
Program Director
The Hon. Justice Rick Libman
Ontario Court of Justice
Eligible for
Get the knowledge and practical skills you need to be an effective advocate when handling summary conviction offences.
Now in its 7th iteration and led by The Hon. Justice Rick Libman, this one-of-a-kind program explores the key stages of a summary conviction offence matter while emphasizing ways of strengthening your written and oral advocacy.
You’ll get a comprehensive overview of the relevant law and practice all while enjoying the benefits of flexible asynchronous learning. Learn at your own pace and have on-demand access to four days’ worth of presentations and group discussions.
You’ll also have a unique opportunity to hone your advocacy skills in our live, full-day advocacy workshops. Learn-by-doing exercises and individualized feedback from defence lawyers, Crown Attorneys and judges will take your confidence and skills to a new level.
Please note: The June 7 session (Intensive Advocacy Workshops) will not be recorded.
What You’ll Learn
Expert insight in how to review the disclosure
Strategies for getting the most out of the Crown pre-trial and judicial pre-trial
Charter applications and how to improve your overall written advocacy
Practical tips to strengthen your oral advocacy at trial
Best practices when discussing resolution with your client and/or the prosecutor
The most recent developments and case law in the area
Who Should Attend
Defence Lawyers
Crown Attorneys
Paralegals
Faculty
Program Director
The Hon. Justice Rick Libman
Ontario Court of Justice
Instructors
Jason Balgopal
Assistant Crown Attorney, Scarborough Crown Attorney’s Office, Ministry of the Attorney General (Ontario)
Paul Calarco
Barrister & Solicitor
Julianna Greenspan
Greenspan Partners LLP
Lisa Henderson
former Crown Counsel, Ministry of the Attorney General (Ontario)
Helen How
Assistant Crown Attorney, Downtown Toronto Crown Attorney’s Office, Ministry of the Attorney General (Ontario)
The Hon. Justice Rick Libman
Ontario Court of Justice
Royland Moriah
Rusonik O’Connor Robbins Ross & Angelini LLP
Megan Petrie
Assistant Crown Attorney, Scarborough Crown’s Office, Ministry of the Attorney General
Leah Shafran
Leah Shafran Law
Jillian Siskind
Siskind Doyle LLP
Richard Stern
Barrister & Solicitor
Steven King
King Law
“A very good program. The workshops on cross examination and sentencing submissions were particularly strong due to their practical and interactive format. The faculty were very experienced, engaging and encouraging”
Agenda
Program introduction and overview
Current developments with summary convictions
Interactive Q & A
Critical Issues at the First Client Meeting
Finalizing your retainer
Managing client expectations at an early stage
Obtaining proper instructions
Developing a strategic defence plan
Preparing for first court appearance
Securing and reviewing initial disclosure
Avoiding conflicts
Ensuring you do not act contrary to your client’s instructions
Investigating any potential mental health issues with your client
Pre‑Trials and Resolution Discussions
Strategies for discussing resolution with both your client and the Crown
Practical tips when preparing for the Crown pre‑trial and judicial pre‑trial
Do’s and don’ts when discussing the evidence with the other side
Overview of the most critical evidentiary issues: Hearsay, prior statements, opinion evidence, eyewitness evidence, similar fact, etc.
“Dissecting Disclosure”: An experienced criminal defence lawyer will examine a sample set disclosure pertaining to a real summary conviction offence matter. This session will answer all of the critical questions so that you know will how to use disclosure effectively to advance your case. The analysis will also address how to identify outstanding information and provide strategies on how to obtain what you need.
“Good Evidence, Bad Evidence”: Using a variety of case scenarios, judges and experienced counsel will lead a discussion on the complex issues and circumstances relating to the admissibility of evidence.
Overview of the key sections of the Charter and their application to summary conviction offences:
Unreasonable search and seizure
Right to counsel
Disclosure and unreasonable delay
Exclusion of evidence
Review of Charter claims and available remedies
Leading Charter cases
Written advocacy: Drafting an effective Charter application/response
The Trial
How to prepare your client and witnesses
Preparing the examination‑in‑chief of your witnesses and preparing for the cross‑examination of the Crown’s witnesses
Understanding the significance of each witness and knowing which questions to ask
Effective Advocacy at Trial
Learn what makes an effective advocate at trial.
Guilty Pleas and Sentencing
Plea comprehension inquiry – getting instructions from your client and ensuring it is a proper plea, the importance of collateral consequences
Sentencing objectives/principles
Effective advocacy at the sentencing stage
Appeals
Proper grounds and knowing when to appeal
Bail pending appeal, lifting driving prohibitions, etc.
Effective advocacy in writing and oral argument
Prior to this module, participants will receive the summary conviction offence case file that will form the basis of both workshops.
You will break into small groups and work with expert facilitators to practice and hone your oral advocacy skills. Facilitators will include judges, Crown Attorneys and defence counsel.
These skills‑based workshops will focus on two key areas: cross‑examination and sentencing submissions.
Workshop #1: Cross‑Examination
The session will start with a live demonstration of an examination‑in‑chief of an officer, performed by an experienced Crown Attorney and a former police officer, followed by a discussion. You will then split into small groups and will have the opportunity to conduct a cross‑examination of an officer. You will receive individualized feedback from the facilitators.
Workshop #2: Sentencing Submissions
In this second learn‑by‑doing workshop, in small groups, you will make submissions on sentencing before a judge. Each participant will receive individualized feedback from the facilitators.
*Live attendance is required for this module. It will not be recorded.
Please Note: The Intensive Advocacy Workshops on June 7, 2025 must be viewed live.
$1,495 + TAX
Time
April 25, 2025
1:00 p.m – 2:30 p.m (ET)
June 7, 2025
9:00 a.m – 4:30 p.m (ET)
Substitution of registrants is permitted prior to the start date of the program. 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 start of the program. If a cancellation request is made with less than 21 days notice, a $250 administrative fee will apply per person. Within 7 days of the program start date, no refund is available. Payment is required to receive access to the program.
We will make every effort to present the program as advertised, but it may be necessary to change the date, location, speakers or content with little or no notice. In the event of program cancellation, York University’s and Osgoode Hall Law School’s liability is limited to reimbursement of paid fees.
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:
To receive the Osgoode Certificate, you must view all modules, participate in the live online workshops and successfully complete the post-program multiple choice assessment.
Ruth MacKeigan
Paralegal, Halton Regional Police Service
“Invaluable for those starting out and for those who are seeking useful tips from the experts to refine their advocacy skills.”
CPD and Accreditation
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.
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.
Criminal Law and Procedure
Students typically complete the LLM in two years (6 terms).
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.
Program pages and brochures will include specific information including key dates, or see our Refunds & Cancellation Policies page.
Once a program reaches capacity, a waitlist will be created. This does not guarantee your registration in the program; however, it places you on a priority contact list. If any spots become available, you may be notified by email or phone to confirm if you would like to proceed with the registration. Once contacted, you will typically be given 24 hours to confirm your interest. If you do not confirm interest within the provided timeframe, you will be removed from the waitlist and the next person will be contacted.
A selection of our Certificates are eligible for OSAP funding.
Please note the following exceptions that may affect OSAP funding eligibility for our certificates:
Students receiving Second Career funding for a micro-credential during their study period are ineligible;
Although grants will not be converted to loans, a grant may become repayable if a student withdraws, is determined to be overpaid in grant funding, or income cannot be verified within one year;
A student cannot receive OSAP for micro-credential assistance for their study period if it overlaps with another micro-credential study period in which they are concurrently receiving OSAP for micro-credential funding. However, students may overlap their micro-credential study period with a study period that is part of a different full- or part-time program that they are concurrently receiving funding for through Full-Time OSAP or Part-Time OSAP, provided that OSAP funding was not assessed for the micro-credential course(s) through a Full-Time or Part-Time OSAP application.
NOTE: In order to obtain access to the program, full payment is required at least 1 business day prior to the first module of the program.
Job Grants
The Canada-Ontario Job grant may be applicable to employers seeking to train their staff. To find out if your organization is eligible for the grant and the program you wish to enrol in qualifies, visit: The MTCU Canada-Ontario Job Grant page
Many of our programs include 120-day unlimited, online access to view the recorded program. See the program page or brochure to find out if the program you’re interested in includes this access. If you need more time to view the content, or have questions about the access, please email: OPDSupport@osgoode.yorku.ca.
Our programs are typically offered once annually, around the same time each year; however, there are a few exceptions where certain programs are offered multiple times throughout the year (i.e. The Certificate in Adjudication). To receive updates on all our new and upcoming program offerings, please click here to subscribe to our email list.
If the program includes access to the recording, you will have unlimited online access to the recorded content for 120-days from the end date of the program.
Access is only for the registered delegate. In the event of misuse, access can be revoked.
CPD hours for each program can be found on the program web page and program brochure. For questions regarding CPD hours, please email cpd@osgoode.yorku.ca
A limited amount of financial assistance is available for OsgoodePD Programs unless specific bursary information appears on the program page/program brochure. Head to our Financial Assistance page for more information.
Yes. We do offer group rates on our programs. Please visit our group rate page for more information. Some exceptions apply, and rates are subject to change.
Our Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs, ranging from one-hour briefings to more intensive certificate programs, are for all professionals. There are no general prerequisites for these programs; however, individual programs often have specific requirements to register. These are noted on individual program pages and .pdf brochures.
