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→Final steps to prepare for a family law trial
# '''Prepare an opening statement:''' This is a statement that is made at the beginning of each party’s case to give the judge some factual background about the case, an overview of the legal issues involved, and the positions taken/orders sought by that party. If the parties have reached agreement on any issues, this should be communicated to the judge during a party’s opening statement. If there are housekeeping issues (such as an expert witness only being available to testify on a specific date), such issues should be raised at this time as well. A party’s opening statement should be consistent with a party’s closing argument.
# '''Update outline for closing submissions:''' Each party’s closing submissions should include a summary of the law on each issue, a description of each order sought by the party making the submissions, and a summary of the evidence that supports each order sought. If a party has made an extensive outline during their earlier trial preparation (as suggested above), this step is simplified. A party’s closing argument should be consistent with the party’s opening statement.
# '''Finalize preparation of direct examinations & cross examinations of witnesses:'''#* Read Rule 14-7 carefully, and especially subsections (19) to (39) when it comes to witnesses. #* Are you certain your witnesses will show up? Should you be delivering a subpoena (in Form F23) by personal service more than 7 days in advance of when you want them to give testimony.#* Consider reading the part on "Witnesses giving evidence" in the Justice Education Society's guidebook, [https://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1498 Trials in Supreme Court], as well as the Legal Services Society's information page "[https://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/4649 If you have to go to court]", in particular the portions on sample questions to ask your own witnesses and on cross-examination of other witnesses under the section "Trials in Supreme Court".
# '''Consider preparing a chronology:''' Each party should also consider preparing a chronology of important events such as the birth dates of each party and child, the date of cohabitation, the date of marriage, the date of separation, the date of divorce (if applicable), and the dates of any other significant events such as moves, job changes, promotions, inheritances, gifts, diagnoses, etc. for easy reference by the judge at trial. If you do prepare a chronology, be sure to bring copies for the judge, the other party (or their lawyer), and yourself.
# '''Consider preparing a Scott Schedule:''' If either party has a lawyer and division of property and debt is in dispute, then the lawyer will also prepare a ''Scott Schedule''. A Scott Schedule is a spreadsheet that lists all of the property and debt in issue, the value of each at various dates, and other useful information such as whether there are excluded property claims, that party’s position about what should happen with each property and debt, and the like. There is no requirement in the Supreme Court Family Rules that a Scott Schedule be prepared, but it is a useful reference tool at trial. If one party has a lawyer who prepares a Scott Schedule, the other party can review it carefully and make note of where that party disagrees with the information provided. If neither party have a lawyer and neither party prepares a Scott Schedule, the judge will likely use the parties’ financial statements as the main reference for financial information about property and debts.
#* List of witnesses (with contact information for each) and anticipated trial plan/schedule (which is really just a best guess as to when each witness will testify and for how long).
#* Page to list exhibits as they are entered at trial — this will be an important reference during the trial and when you are preparing your final argument.
#* Chronology &and/or Scott Schedule, if either/both have been prepared.
#* Opening statement.
#* Direct examination of each witness that party intends to call (with each examination behind a separate tab).
#**Visit the courthouse to familiarize yourself with it (unless you know it well already), including checking the hours of operation, the location of the hearing list, the location of washrooms, and the availability of food at or near the courthouse if you don’t plan to pack a lunch each day of trial.
#**Consider watching a trial, as observation of the real thing is often the best education. Trials are open to the public and are generally in session from 10 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:00 to 4:00 pm each day.
#*Engage in self-care leading up to trial, including ensuring that you get enough sleep, that you are eating healthily and getting regular exercise, and that you have the emotional support that you need to help you through this process (i.e.: from family, a friend, or a counsellor).#*For more tips on personal preparation to manage the trial process, see the Legal Services Society of British Columbia’s fact sheets: #**information page "[https://familylawwww.lssclicklaw.bc.ca/bc-legal-systemresource/if-you-4649 If I have-to go-to court/coping-court-process ]", and in particular the portions on "Coping with the court process]#**[https://familylaw.lss.bc.ca/bc-legal-system/if-you-have-go-court/trials-supreme-court/preparing-attend-supreme-court-trial ", and "Preparing to attend a Supreme Court trial", both under the section on "Trials in Supreme Court]".
== Conducting the trial in Supreme Court ==