Difference between revisions of "Small Claims Trial/Pre-Trial Conferences (20:XII)"

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Revision as of 22:49, 4 July 2016

LSLAP Manual
This page is from the Law Students' Legal Advice Program Manual. See the full contents.
LSLAP Manual
Introduction
Chapters
1. Criminal Law · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Etiquette · IV. Criminal Charges · V. Substantive Law · VI. Resolving Prior to Trial · VII. Pleading Not Guilty/Trial · VIII. Other Issues · IX. Charter of Rights and Freedoms · X. LSLAP Policies · XI. Information for LSLAP Students · XII. Etiquette for Law Students · XIII. Practice Recommendations · Appendix A: Initial Sentencing Position · Appendix B: Sample Information · Appendix C: Diversion Application · Appendix D: Sentencing Hearing · Appendix E: Trial Books · Appendix F: Glossary
2. Youth Justice · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Youth Criminal Justice Act · IV. Youth Justice (British Columbia) Act · Appendix A: Glossary
3. Family Law · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Marriage · IV. Divorce · V. Uncontested Divorce · VI. Simple Divorce Procedure · VII. Alternatives to Divorce · VIII. Family Violence · IX. Assets · X. Spousal and Child Support · XI. Parenting Orders/Guardianship/Contact · XII. Children and the Law · XIII. Adoption · XIV. Name Changes · XV. Court Procedures · Appendix A: Glossary
4. Victims · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation · III. Crime Victim Assistance Program · IV. Avenues to Address Crime · V. Victims of Sexual Assault · VI. Victims of Relationship Violence · VII. Seniors or Those with Disabilities · VIII. Victims of Human Trafficking · IX. Missing Persons and Abductions · X. TIP and Restorative Justice · XI. Resources for Indigenous Victims · XII. Referrals and Follow-up
5. Public Complaints · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Review of Administrative Decisions · IV. Privacy or Access to Information · V. Complaints against the Police · VI. Complaints against Security Guards · VII. The Right to Vote · VIII. Complaints regarding UBC · IX. Complaints regarding SFU · X. Complaints Re: Other Universities · XI. Complaints against Doctors · XII. Complaints against Lawyers · Appendix A: Glossary · Appendix B: Sample Notice Letter
6. Human Rights · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. BC Human Rights Code · IV. Canadian Human Rights Act · V. BC Civil Rights Protection Act · VI. Rights of the Child · VII. LSLAP's Role · VIII. Indigenous Complainants · IX. Online Mediations & Hearings
7. Workers' Compensation · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation & Policy · III. Introduction to Compensation Claims · IV. LSLAP's Role · V. Limitation Periods & Timing of Decisions · VI. Making a Claim · VII. The Claim Acceptance Process · VIII. Worker Status · IX. Disability and Causation · X. Time Limits & Procedures · XI. Claim Benefits · XII. Appeals · XIII. Health & Safety Regulations · XIV. Assessments of Employers · XV. The WCB Fair Practices Officer · Appendix A: Abbreviations · Appendix B: List of Cases · Appendix C: Referrals · Appendix :D Resources · Appendix E: Claims Process · Appendix F: Checklist for Interviews · Appendix G: Checklist for Appeals · Appendix H: Sample Authorization Form
8. Employment Insurance · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Qualifying for EI · IV. Types of Benefits · V. Benefit Period · VI. Quantifying Benefits · VII. Benefit Entitlement · VIII. Penalties, Violations, and Offences · IX. Keeping Out of Trouble · X. Timing for Reporting · XI. Overpayment and Collections · XII. Reconsideration · XIII. Social Security Tribunal · XIV. Appeals · XV. Judicial Review · XVI. LSLAP's Use of This Chapter · Appendix A: Initial Application Checklist
9. Employment Law · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Checklist · IV. Preliminary Matters · V. Employment Issues · VI. Remedies · VII. Strategies and Tips · Appendix A: Glossary
10. Creditors and Debtors · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Creditors' Remedies · IV. Debtors' Options · V. Dealing with Debt · Appendix A: Relevant Forms · Appendix B: Examination Checklist
11. Consumer Protection · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Contracts for Sale of Goods · IV. Consumer Protection · V. Direct Sales · VI. Conditional Sales Contracts · VII. Motor Dealer Act · VIII. Miscellaneous · IX. Forum of Redress · X. Consumer Transactions
12. Auto Insurance (ICBC) · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Basic Coverage · IV. Optional Insurance · V. Seeking Legal Counsel · VI. Disputes with ICBC · VII. When You Can Still Sue · VIII. On or Before April 30 2021 · IX. Limitation on Experts · X. Compulsory Coverage · XI. Optional Insurance · XII. Personal Injury Claims · XIII. Out-of-Province
13. Motor Vehicle Law · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. At the Roadside · IV. Duties after a Collision · V. Violation Tickets · VI. Provincial Offences · VII. Vehicle Impoundment · VIII. Superintendent · IX. Alcohol and Drugs · X. Federal Offences · XI. Driving While Prohibited · XII. ICBC Breaches · XIII. Bicycles · XIV. LSLAP Program Information · Appendix A: Penalty Points and Fines
14. Mental Health Law · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Theory and Approach · IV. Legal Rights · V. Patient Admission · VI. Consent to Medical Treatment · VII. Involuntarily Admitted · VIII. Youth · IX. Criminal Code · X. Complaints · XI. References · XII. LSLAP File Administration Policy
15. Adult Guardianship · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation · III. Mental Capacity · IV. Substitute Decision Making · V. Adult Guardianship · VI. Adult Abuse and Neglect · VII. Sources and Resources · Appendix A: EPOA · Appendix B: Decision Tree
16. Wills and Estate Administration · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Making and Executing · IV. Mistakes and Alterations · V. Court's Power · VI. Revocation · VII. Wills Variation Claims · VIII. Intestacy · IX. Property · X. First Nations and Wills · XI. Estate Administration · XII. Duties of a Personal Representative · XIII. Taxation: RRSP & RRIF & TFSA · XIV. LSLAP File Administration Policy · Appendix A: Questionnaire · Appendix B: Checklist · Appendix C: Glossary
17. Citizenship · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Who is a Canadian Citizen? · IV. Advantages & Responsibilities · V. Citizenship Grants · VI. Applying for Citizenship Grant · VII. Loss and Renunciation · VIII. Proof · IX. Search of Citizenship Record · X. Referrals
18. Immigration Law · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Players · IV. Categories of Persons · V. PR Application · VI. Identifications · VII. IRB · VIII. Loss of PR · IX. Temporary Residence Matters · X. Removal Orders · XI. Appeals · XII. Offences · XIII. Issues at Sentencing · XIV. Contacts
19. Landlord and Tenant Law · I. Residential Tenancy Act · II. Tenancy Agreements · III. Moving In and Moving Out · IV. Security Deposits · V. Repair and Service · VI. Rent Increase · VII. Tenant's Rights · VIII. Subletting and Assignment · IX. Termination/Eviction · X. Dispute Resolution · XI. Common Law · XII. Strata Law · XIII. Assisted Living · XIV. Commercial Tenancies · XV. Manufactured Homes · XVI. Income Assistance · XVII. Illegal Suites · XVIII. Forms · XIX. Governing Legislation and Resources
20. Small Claims and the CRT · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Do You Have a Claim? · IV. Choosing the Proper Forum · V. Starting a Claim · VI. Responding to a Claim · VII. Default Order · VIII. How a Claim Proceeds · IX. Pre-Trial · X. Mediation · XI. Settlement Conferences · XII. Trial/Pre-Trial Conferences · XIII. Trial Preparation · XIV. Trials · XV. Costs and Penalties · XVI. Appeals · XVII. Enforcement of a Judgement · Appendix A: Registries · Appendix B: Demand Letter · Appendix C: Notice of Claim · Appendix D: Reply to Claim · Appendix E: Glossary · Appendix F: Limitation Periods · Appendix G: Causes of Action · Appendix H: Court Fees · Appendix I: Tribunal Fees · Appendix J: Settlement Conference · Appendix K: Payment Hearing · Appendix L: Appeal · Appendix M: LSLAP Policy
21. Welfare Law · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Eligibility · IV. Special Situations · V. Eligibility Factors · VI. Hardship Assistance · VII. Overpayments and Fraud · VIII. Rates and Payment Issues · IX. Additional Benefits · X. Health Supplements · XI. Appeals
22. Strata Law · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation · III. Strata Concept · IV. Strata Plan · V. Common Property and Assets · VI. Governance · VII. Management · VIII. Finances · IX. Collections · X. Bylaws and Rules · XI. Rentals and Accommodations · XII. Privacy · XIII. Insurance · XIV. Repair and Maintain · XV. Dispute Resolution · XVI. Recourse to the Courts
23. Referrals · I. General · II. Family Law & Women · III. Residential Tenancy · IV. Human Rights · V. Wills & Estates · VI. Immigration & Refugee · VII. Disability · VIII. Employment · IX. Debt · X. Indigenous · XI. Police Complaints · XII. Chinese Language · XIII. Others
v • d • e

A. Trial Conference

A trial conference only applies to claims at the Vancouver (Robson Square) registry. Parties should read the settlement conference section of this guide for general advice regarding the purpose of, preparation for, and conduct of a trial conference. A trial conference is similar to a settlement conference with a few notable exceptions, such as:

The focus will be on trial preparation rather than on settlement.
a party does not have to attend if a lawyer, articling student, or other representative attends on that party’s behalf239;
a Trial Statement (Form 33) must be filed at least 14 days before the trial conference and served on all other parties at least 7 days before the trial conference240;
a certificate of readiness is not required as it will have been provided prior to Rule 7.4 mediation;
the judge may require the parties to jointly retain an expert241; and
the judge may give a non-binding opinion regarding the probable outcome of the trial242.

There may be consequences for failing to file and serve the Trial Statement on time243.

The Registrar must serve a Notice of Trial Conference (Form 32) at least 30 days prior to the date set for the conference.A judge may make any order for the just, speedy, and inexpensive resolution of the claim including those enumerated in Rule 7.5(14).

B. Pre-Trial Conference

At most registries, a pre-trial conference will be scheduled for claims with trials that are scheduled to be longer than one half-day. In many ways this is similar to a settlement conference. There are basically no rules for pre-trial conferences. The general purpose is to ensure that the parties are prepared for trial, that all orders have been complied with, that all disclosure has been made, and that all witnesses will attend the trial. The judge will try to narrow the number of witnesses to reduce court time. In addition, the judge will review the admissibility of documentary evidence, particularly that of written evidence. The judge will also ensure that the matter falls within the jurisdictional limits of the Small Claims Court and that the claim is not beyond its limitation period. Finally, even at this late date, the judge will encourage the claimants and defendants to settle the matter. The parties may receive an order allowing another 30 days after the pre-trial conference to serve a formal settlement offer to the opposing party. The offer to settle must be made according to Rule 10.1 and penalties may apply to parties who refuse the formal offer to settle. For example, if the court after trial grants the claimant a sum that is equal to or less than the defendant’s formal settlement offer, the claimant can be ordered topay the defendant a penalty of up to 20 per cent of the settlement offer.

It is not uncommon for Judges at a pre-trial conference to decide the case based on the law without hearing any evidence. Some consider this to be an improper use of pre-trial conferences. However, as stated above, there are no rules governing pre-trial conferences so you should be aware of this going into a pre-trial conference.

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 == B. Pre-Trial Conference ==
-At most registries, a pre-trial conference will be scheduled for claims with trials that are scheduled to be  longer  than  one  half-day.    In  many  ways  this  is  similar  to  a  settlement  conference.  There  are basically  no  rules  for  pre-trial  conferences.  The  general  purpose  is  to  ensure  that  the  parties  are prepared for trial, that all orders have been complied with, that all disclosure has been made, and that all witnesses will attend the trial. The judge will try to narrow the number of witnesses to reduce court time.  In  addition,  the  judge  will  review  the  admissibility  of  documentary  evidence,  particularly  that  of written  evidence.  The  judge  will  also  ensure  that  the  matter  falls  within  the  jurisdictional  limits  of  the Small Claims Court and that the claim is not beyond its limitation period. Finally, even at this late date, the judge will encourage  the claimants  and defendants  to  settle  the  matter. The  parties  may receive an order  allowing  another  30  days  after  the  pre-trial conference  to  serve a  formal  settlement  offer  to  the opposing  party.  The  offer  to  settle  must  be  made  according  to  Rule  10.1  and  penalties  may  apply  to parties  who  refuse  the formal offer to  settle. For example, if  the court after  trial grants the claimant a sum that is equal to or less than the defendant’s formal settlement offer, the claimant can be ordered topay the defendant a penalty of up to 20 per cent of the settlement offer. It  is  not  uncommon  for  Judges  at  a  pre-trial  conference  to  decide  the  case  based  on  the  law  without hearing any evidence. Some consider this  to  be an improper use  of  pre-trial conferences. However, as stated above, there are no rules governing pre-trial conferences so you should be aware of this going into a pre-trial conference.
+At most registries, a pre-trial conference will be scheduled for claims with trials that are scheduled to be  longer  than  one  half-day.    In  many  ways  this  is  similar  to  a  settlement  conference.  There  are basically  no  rules  for  pre-trial  conferences.  The  general  purpose  is  to  ensure  that  the  parties  are prepared for trial, that all orders have been complied with, that all disclosure has been made, and that all witnesses will attend the trial. The judge will try to narrow the number of witnesses to reduce court time.  In  addition,  the  judge  will  review  the  admissibility  of  documentary  evidence,  particularly  that  of written  evidence.  The  judge  will  also  ensure  that  the  matter  falls  within  the  jurisdictional  limits  of  the Small Claims Court and that the claim is not beyond its limitation period. Finally, even at this late date, the judge will encourage  the claimants  and defendants  to  settle  the  matter. The  parties  may receive an order  allowing  another  30  days  after  the  pre-trial conference  to  serve a  formal  settlement  offer  to  the opposing  party.  The  offer  to  settle  must  be  made  according  to  Rule  10.1  and  penalties  may  apply  to parties  who  refuse  the formal offer to  settle. For example, if  the court after  trial grants the claimant a sum that is equal to or less than the defendant’s formal settlement offer, the claimant can be ordered topay the defendant a penalty of up to 20 per cent of the settlement offer.
+It  is  not  uncommon  for  Judges  at  a  pre-trial  conference  to  decide  the  case  based  on  the  law  without hearing any evidence. Some consider this  to  be an improper use  of  pre-trial conferences. However, as stated above, there are no rules governing pre-trial conferences so you should be aware of this going into a pre-trial conference.

Difference between revisions of "Small Claims Trial/Pre-Trial Conferences (20:XII)"

Revision as of 22:49, 4 July 2016

A. Trial Conference

B. Pre-Trial Conference

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