Everybody Loses – The Canadian Sexual Assault Trial

SPEAKER: Professor Peter Sankoff, University of Alberta, Faculty of Law, Lead Counsel at Sankoff Criminal Law

In this provocative talk, Professor Peter Sankoff of the University of Alberta, Faculty of Law, and Lead Counsel at Sankoff Criminal Law, will explain what happens in a modern sexual assault trial, and how these trials have become a major source of injustice for accused, complainants and other players in the system. Drawing on his experience as counsel in these cases, Sankoff will explain why and how sexual assault cases have become so problematic and difficult to run looking at the core doctrines that promote confusion for the parties, counsel and judges alike. After demonstrating the gravity of the problem, he will explore the impact such problems have on all concerned, including the victims of sexual violence. Finally, he will offer some solutions to the crisis, all of which focus on the need to compromise on the search for “perfect outcomes”.

Please RSVP to the Manitoba Bar Association online at www.cbapd.org. Lunch will be available for purchase. The link to join the online meeting will be sent to online registrants at 9:30am on April 17, 2024. Non-members may email sections@cba-mb.ca to register.

Attendance at this MBA Section meeting can be applied towards your Law Society of Manitoba’s Continuing Professional Development requirement for a maximum of 1.5 hours.