ASSIGNMENT #1 Watch a SCC Court Case (17.5%)

DUE DATE: Prior to the start of the class, as provided in the Course Schedule. See Court Assessment how to document for a sample report.

1. Watch a Supreme Court of Canada cases from the available webcasts (link provided in Moodle under Week 13). Cases in which you are or have been personally involved do not qualify. The case brief must be based on what you saw and heard. You may not copy from a written judgment.

Part A: Prepare a written case brief (approximately one page in length for this section)

The case brief should include the following information:

Single-spaced:

Name of the Parties,

Name of the Judges

Double- spaced:

Summary of Facts (do not write everything said by the parties)

Decision and Reasons for Decision

Use headings/sub-headings to organize these sections. It is incorrect to write everything you heard in the order you heard it.

For verification purposes, the failure to provide the place of trial and courtroom number may result in a mark of zero. If the court's decision is reserved or the hearing is adjourned to a future date, you need not return, provided you saw evidence being given. The case that you view must be one where oral evidence is presented by a witness or by the parties. Hearings where lawyers simply make submissions, such as a sentencing hearing (where only the punishment is decided), or a chambers application, are not sufficient.

Part B: Write a short essay (approximately 1 page in length for this section) discussing your impressions of the court proceedings you have seen. The following are topic suggestions (you are not obligated to answer each of these questions): Discuss what part of the process you thought was effective and what was not. Comment on the appropriateness of the proceedings, the role of the judge, the lawyers if any, and the litigants. How could the process be improved?

If you answer each of these questions, in order, it will be a boring assignment, showing little thought/consideration, and marked accordingly. You must provide personal opinion and analysis in your essay.