ONLINE MEETING: Anatomy of a Coroner's Inquest
This meeting is being hosted by the Administrative Law Section.
| Speakers: |
John McNamee, Chief Legal Officer, Legal Services & Inquests, BC Coroners Service |
| Time: |
Tuesday, December 5, 2023, 12:30pm - 1:30pm (PT) |
| CPD Hours: |
1.00 hour |
Synopsis
The BC Coroners Service investigates all unnatural, sudden and unexpected, unexplained or unattended deaths in British Columbia. It plays a vital role in BC by making recommendations to improve public safety and prevent death in similar circumstances.
Some deaths may be handled by a public coroner's inquest, which is a quasi-judicial public hearing that is presided over by a BC Coroner before a jury of the public. This unique administrative law proceeding is relatively rare. However, any lawyer acting for major employers, public bodies, regulatory agencies, or other entities with any responsibility for the health and safety of others may find themselves involved in an inquest at some point in their careers.
However, the parties that may end up involved in a coroner's inquest are many. Any lawyer acting for major employers, public bodies, regulatory agencies, or other entities with any responsibility for the health and safety of others may find themselves involved in an inquest at some point in their careers.
Inquests result in a series of public recommendations aimed at improving systemic errors related to the death at issue. These reccomendations can be made in respect of any company, agency, group etc. that the jury thinks could take steps to improve public safety. These reccomendations can be significant and have far reaching implications for your client.
John McNamee explains the structure and function of a coroner's inquest, provides insight into the preparation that goes into these proceedings and discusses how lawyers can best help their client in the event of their involvement in an inquest.
Territorial Acknowledgement
This event will be broadcast from the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish and Musqueam First Nations. We encourage members to explore the rich history and knowledge of Indigenous people, and to continue learning about their experience in Canada past and present.
Webinar/Teleconference
If you need assistance with the logistics of logging in to our meetings, please contact sections@cbabc.org.
Webinar instructions will be sent to your email that we have on file 24 hours prior to this meeting date. These instructions will indicate when and how you should log in.
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Disclaimer
Please ensure to sign-in with your full name at the meeting, to not do so will result in de-registration. CBABC requires this as a record to confirm your attendance for this meeting for your CPD reporting (if applicable).
