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Login to watch this video if you have a subscription. Learn more about subscriptions.“An Update on the New Civil Practice Directions” outlines recent regional changes to how short and long motions, summary judgment, and case conferences are scheduled and managed. The speakers explain shortened time limits for short motions, the requirement to complete timetables and factums before obtaining long-motion dates, and greater use of case conferences, consent timetables, and clearer rules for express and urgent motions to reduce delay and wasted court time.
“An Update on All Things Interest” reviews how pre-judgment and post-judgment interest are set and calculated in personal injury cases, using simple scenarios to contrast slip and fall and motor vehicle claims. The discussion highlights applicable statutory rates, how start dates are chosen, why special damages often use a reduced or “half-rate” approach because loss accrues over time, and when courts may exercise discretion to vary interest based on the circumstances and recent appellate guidance.
“Top Tips for a Successful Civil Conference” focuses on making case conferences and pretrials more productive and settlement-focused through preparation, realistic offers, and advance communication between counsel. The speaker emphasizes candid discussion of risk with clients, professional and respectful conduct during breakout discussions, and using pretrials not only to pursue settlement but also to organize trial procedure, including any tailored or trauma-informed approaches needed for particular parties.
Overall, the session centres on practical tools and strategies that help civil litigators navigate current procedure, handle interest issues correctly, and use conferences to advance or resolve cases more efficiently.
Master Marie T. Fortier was called to the bar in 1983 and appointed as case management master for the Superior Court of Justice in Ottawa in October 2016. Master Fortier has served in a variety of adjudicative and quasi-judicial roles. She has held the position of deputy judge of the Small Claims Court, associate chair of the Animal Care Review Board, and Regional Director of Education with the Law Society of Upper Canada. Master Fortier litigated civil matters at all levels of Ontario courts, in both French and English in her previous career as a litigator in private practice. Master Fortier has been active in her community, providing legal guidance and leadership for local environmental, education, and sports organizations. She has also volunteered her time with local youth softball and hockey teams.
Justice Alexandre Kaufman, Superior Court of Justice B.A., LL.B., was appointed to the Superior Court of Justice in 2018. Before his appointment, Associate Justice Kaufman acted as senior counsel in civil litigation at the federal Department of Justice and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. Associate Justice Kaufman represented the Crown before the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court, the Divisional Court, the Court of Appeal for Ontario, the Federal Courts, and a wide range of tribunals and boards. Mr. Kaufman's broad litigation practice included administrative law, procurement and trade remedies, employment, contract and tort claims, and criminal law. He also taught trial advocacy and civil procedure at the University of Ottawa and Algonquin College. He is the co-author of the Annotated Ontario Arbitration Legislation (Thomson Reuteurs) in its third edition. Knowledge of alternative dispute resolution has proven helpful in mediating and arbitrating disputes between his four children.
Laurie obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree (Honours History) from the University of Waterloo in 1996 and her Law degree from Queen’s University in 1999 and was called to the Bar in 2001. Laurie practices exclusively in personal injury and long term disability claims with Burn Tucker Lachaîne in Ottawa. Laurie served a long time on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA), from May 2004 to May 2016. An avid proponent of continuing legal education, Laurie has presented papers at OTLA’s continuing legal education conferences and has published papers in The Litigator. In addition to her work with OTLA, Laurie has presented at the County of Carleton Law Association’s Litigation Conference and has been on their planning committee since 2013. Laurie has done work for the Advocates Society’s Child Advocacy Project and the Refugee Sponsorship Support Program’s pro bono project. From 2010 to 2015, Laurie was a member of the Board of Directors for the Youville Centre, an Ottawa non-profit organization which assists young mothers and their children by providing education and daycare in a specialized setting, allowing the young moms to complete high school. In 2010, Laurie was awarded the CCLA’s Regional Senior Justice Award. In 2013, she was the recipient of OTLA’s Women’s Caucus Award, and in 2016, she received OTLA’s Distinguished Service Award. In her personal life, Laurie enjoys spending time with friends and her dogs. She loves live theatre and she travels as often as she possibly can.
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