IN-PERSON MEETING | Mental Health and the Criminal Law - A Primer on Fitness, NCRMD and the BC Review Board
This meeting is being hosted by the Criminal Justice - Vancouver Section.
| Speakers: |
The Honourable James Bahen, KC, Retired Provincial Court Judge, Alternate Chair, BC Review Board
Chris Johnson, KC, Defence Counsel, Johnson, Doyle, Nelson & Anderson
Michaela Donnelly KC, Crown Counsel, BC Prosecution Service
Gerri-Lyn Nelson, Administrative Crown Counsel, BC Review Board |
| Time: |
Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 5:00pm - 6:30pm (PT) |
| Location: |
Courthouse Libraries (Fraser Room), 800 Smithe Street, Vancouver |
| Fee: |
CBA Member: Free!
Non-CBA Member: $95 (+ GST)
Don't have a CBA account? Create a non-member account to register! |
| CPD Hours: |
1.50 hour |
The Honourable James Bahen, KC, Chris Johnson, KC, Michaela Donnelly KC, and Gerri-Lyn Nelson discuss fitness, post R. v. Bharwani, 2025 SCC 26, how to prepare for a not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder (NCRMD) defence, and the interplay with the BC Review Board once the Court has declared an accused unfit or NCRMD. This session gives you the tools to effectively navigate this complicated area of the law.
TERRITORIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This event is being hosted 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.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
This meeting is for lawyers, judges, articling students & law students only.
If you are a non-lawyer working in a field related to this meeting, please contact sections@cbabc.org to request attendance. Attendance is granted to non-lawyers on a case by case basis.
ACCESSIBILITY
Please add any accommodation requests you have to the notes of your registration. Wheelchair accessibility, gender-neutral washrooms, and allergies will be accommodated based on venue availability.
We welcome suggestions for enhancing the inclusiveness of our activities. Please contact if you have any questions or recommendations.
ONLINE REGISTRATION
Remote attendance is available for this event. Please see the registration page here.
