The POA Practitioner’s Update 2026: What’s New and Important
Program Chair
The Hon. Justice Rick Libman
Ontario Court of Justice
Are you on top of all the recent developments and key decisions affecting your POA practice?
In one intensive half-day, get up to speed with all the need-to-know updates for POA practitioners.
Led by The Hon. Justice Rick Libman, this annual update brings you the latest information from an expert faculty of prosecutors and defence counsel. They will examine recent caselaw and administrative/procedural developments over the preceding 12 months, yielding practical tips you can immediately apply.
Registration includes 120-day unlimited, online access to the recorded program.
What You’ll Learn
Legislative updates impacting the Provincial Offences Act
An update on procedural and substantive POA matters
Critical case law updates
Who Should Attend
Paralegals
Lawyers
Faculty
Program Chair
The Hon. Justice Rick Libman
Ontario Court of Justice
Instructors
Con Gabriel
Court and Tribunal Services Branch, Prosecutions Branch Acting Team Lead, The Regional Municipality of York
Nicole Klein
Supervisor of Prosecutions, Legal Services, Town of Caledon
Melina Macchia
Schofield Macchia LLP
Kristina MacDonald
Discipline Paralegal, Litigation Services, Law Society of Ontario
Sandeep Bandhu
Principal, Brickhouse Legal Services
“The gold standard of POA programming.
”
Agenda
9:00 a.m. Opening Remarks from the Program Chair
The Hon. Justice Rick Libman, Ontario Court of Justice
9:15 a.m. a.m. Legislative and Critical Case Law Updates
This opening session will bring you up to speed on important recent decisions and legislative updates affecting your POA practice. You’ll hear valuable prosecution, defence and judicial perspectives on important developments over the last twelve months. Topics will include:
Legislative updates impacting the Provincial Offences Act:
Virtual hearings, s. 83.1
Increasing use of administrative monetary penalties
Bill 56 – Building a More Competitive Economy Act, 2025 (amendments to the Highway Traffic Act)
Critical case law update:
Probation and restitution, Ontario (Ministry of Government and Consumer Services) v. Ivan’s Electric Limited, 2025 ONCJ 70
POA trial caused by Internet connectivity issues in the courtroom, Toronto (City) v. Battiston, 2025 ONCJ 197
Frivolous appeals, Toronto (City) v. Becerra, 2025 ONCJ 426
Power to grant relief against a minimum fine, Toronto (City) v. Rostami, 2025 ONCJ 254
Technological issues in the courtroom and a stay of proceedings as a remedy, Toronto (City) v. Noori, 2025 ONCJ 255
The use of AI in making legal submissions, R. v. Chand, 2025 ONCJ 282
Appeal of audio issues, R. v. P.V.T., 2025 ONCA 96
Administrative error, R. v. Omiwole, 2025 ONCA 111
Complete and regular on its face – place of offence; R. v. Dimilta, 2025 ONCJ 57
Unreasonable delay, Toronto (City) v. Agrippa, 2025 ONCJ 46
Con Gabriel, Court and Tribunal Services Branch, Prosecutions Branch Acting Team Lead, The Regional Municipality of York The Hon. Justice Rick Libman, Ontario Court of Justice
10:45 Clashing Perspectives
This panel will feature experienced practitioners from both sides squaring off on some key and very timely issues.
Con Gabriel, Court and Tribunal Services Branch, Prosecutions Branch Acting Team Lead, The Regional Municipality of York
The Hon. Justice Rick Libman, Ontario Court of Justice Nicole Klein, Supervisor of Prosecutions, Legal Services, Town of Caledon
11:45 a.m. Emerging Ethical and Professionalism Issues for the POA Practitioner
Leading experts will examine some of the key professional challenges confronting today’s POA practitioner including the use of AI by legal service providers and adjudicators.
The Hon. Justice Rick Libman, Ontario Court of Justice Melina Macchia, Schofield Macchia LLP Kristina MacDonald, Discipline Paralegal, Litigation Service, Law Society of Ontario
12:45 p.m. Q&A / Concluding Remarks
The Hon. Justice Rick Libman, Ontario Court of Justice
Newly licensed regulated professionals within the past 2 years receive 50% off the regular program fee.
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“This is a fantastic update for an ever‑changing landscape. I look forward to the annual updates!
”
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A scheduled replay of a past program, with the ability to submit questions.
2 Half Days
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