Barrister Rotations

Litigation Group

Rotation length: 6-12 weeks

The Litigation Group provides constitutional, administrative and general civil litigation services to government. The responsibilities of the Litigation Group include:

• Appearing on behalf of the government, statutory decision-makers and the Attorney General at all levels of court, before some administrative tribunals and at other hearings in civil litigation and administrative law proceedings, as well as constitutional challenges;
• Preparing pleadings and written and oral submissions in relation to all aspects of litigation practice;
• Retaining and instructing experts in a wide variety of areas as part of the trial process;
• Interviewing witnesses and conducting examinations for discovery;
• Advising on the likely outcome of litigation involving the government;
• Counselling the Risk Management Branch of the Ministry of Finance and the government's insurance and claims offices;
• Reviewing legal opinions prepared by other members of the branch, that may have a constitutional or administrative law component;
• Providing advice on public and private international law matters; and
• Responding to Rowbotham applications for state-funded defence counsel, and addresses other applications for state assistance (such as amicus curiae) in criminal matters.

Justice, Health and Revenue (JHR) Director’s Counsel (Child Protection)

Rotation length: 4-6 weeks

*This is a separate rotation from the JHR barrister or solicitor rotations described

The responsibilities of the Director’s Counsel Group include:

• Representing the Director of Child, Family and Community Services (Director) under the Child, Family and Community Services Act (“CFCSA”) in the Provincial Court of British Columbia;
• Attending alternative dispute resolution processes for the Director, including mediations, collaborative planning conferences, and traditional Indigenous decision-making processes;
• Providing the Director with legal and procedural advice on the conduct of matters under the CFCSA; and
• Advising the Director on the likely outcome of matters under the CFCSA.

Students may be involved in:

• Attending and conducting court proceedings under the CFCSA (including Child Protection Remand Lists, Family Case Conferences, and assisting with the conduct of hearings);
• Reviewing pleadings and other documents;
• Attending alternative dispute resolution processes as counsel for the Director; and
• Legal research.

BC’s Prosecution Service (Regional and CASP Rotations)

Rotation length: 6-8 weeks

*Students may choose up to two external rotations

The emphasis in BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) rotations is on criminal law and prosecution. Rotations may take place at most Regional BCPS offices in the province.

During a rotation with BCPS, students may:

• Attend Provincial Court and assume conduct in Traffic Court, JP Court, Remand Court, Youth Court and Trial Courts including conducting or assisting in the conduct of sentencing matters, court applications, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, and trial matters (including witness interviews and trial preparation);
• Assist with the conduct of a Supreme Court trial, including witness interviews, preparing opinions on anticipated points of law, and other general assistance (if it is not possible for a student to assist, students are encouraged to observe Supreme Court trial components such as jury selection, openings, closings, significant direct and cross-examinations, and jury instructions); and
• Assist in the preparation of summary conviction appeals, including researching points of law, identifying authorities, and preparing factums.

The BCPS Criminal Appeals and Special Prosecutions (CASP) offices serve the entire province. CASP operations include:

• Conducting indictable appeals in the B.C. Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada;
• Conducting specialized prosecutions and applications related to organized crime, proceeds of crime, securities, commercial crime, and occupational health and safety; and
• Providing policy coordination and constitutional litigation support to prosecutors across the province.

Students are encouraged to participate in all aspects of work at the Crown Counsel Office. Other areas of responsibility may include: attending Review Board Hearings; reviewing reports from the police for Charge Approval; and researching topical issues of criminal law.