Hear from expert counsel and judges on the latest issues in class actions.  This primer on class actions will provide an overview of best practices and recent developments in prosecuting and defending class proceedings.  Panels of expert counsel will share their views and strategies for dealing with various procedural issues unique to class proceedings and survey recent developments in substantive areas of class action law, including products liability, securities, pensions and criminal and quasi-criminal class actions.  This program will offer something for everyone from class action neophytes to seasoned veterans.

Focus:  This colloquium on class actions will provide an overview of best practices and recent developments in prosecuting and defending class proceedings.   A key note speaker and a panel of judges will provide unique insights on important issues in class proceedings.  This program will offer something for everyone from class action neophytes to seasoned veterans.

Highlights:
•  Strategic Considerations for Plaintiffs and Defendants
•  Class Action Discovery Strategies and Best Practices
•  Settlement and Other Ends to Class Actions
•  Dealing with Costs of a Class Proceeding
•  Recent developments in product liability class actions, securities class actions, pension and pension benefits class actions, and competition class actions
•  The Judges’ Perspective

9:00 am Introductory Remarks

9:10 am Welcome Address
Sylvie M.T.  Rodrigue, Ogilvy Renault LLP/ Chair, OBA Class Action Subcommittee
 
9:15 am  Strategic Considerations for Plaintiffs and Defendants
From the plaintiffs’ perspective:
•  entering into retainer, consortium, or funding agreements
•  selecting the right venue and dealing with carriage motions and competing multi-jurisdictional classes
•  pleading certifiable class actions
•  marshalling and testing evidence
From the defendants’ perspective:
•  dealing with multi-provincial class actions, when to file a stay motion and the impact of the Lepine decision
•  evaluating the claims, marshalling the evidence and retaining experts
•  addressing corporate communications and public relations issues
•  deciding when to defend and whether to consent to certification
Panel Members:  Linda Rothstein, Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP,
Sylvie M.T. Rodrigue, Ogilvy Renault LLP

10:00 am  Class Action Discovery Strategies and Best Practices
•  limiting the scope of discovery and navigating the new discovery rules
•  surviving and prospering in an e-discovery world
•  facing cross-border issues, protective orders and deemed undertaking
Panel Members:  Nicole Brown, Koskie Minsky LLP/ Vice-Chair, OBA Class Action Subcommittee
Glenn Smith, Lenczner Slaght Royce Smith Griffin LLP

10:45 am Break (sponsored by Global Resolutions Inc.)

11:00 am Settlement and Other Ends to Class Actions
•  negotiating and documenting creative settlements
•  seeking court approval of the settlement, class counsel fees and CPF levy
•  moving for summary judgment, a stay of proceedings or decertification
•  preparing for, conducting, and appealing a common issues trial
Panel Members:  Harvey T. Strosberg QC, Sutts, Strosberg LLP - Windsor
David I.W. Hamer, McCarthy Tétrault LLP

11:45 am Dealing with Costs of a Class Proceeding
•  selecting the venue based on cost considerations
•  selecting representative parties and addressing their potential exposure
•  obtaining funding from the Class Proceedings Fund
•  seeking or challenging approval of fees, multipliers and disbursements
Panel Members:   Kirk M. Baert, Koskie Minsky LLP
Sonia L. Bjorkquist, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

12:30 pm Lunch with keynote address (sponsored by Borden Ladner Gervais LLP)
Keynote Speaker:  Professor Emeritus Peter W. Hogg, QC, Osgoode Hall Law School; Scholar in Residence: Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

1:30 pm Recent developments in product liability class actions
Panel Members:  Tim O. Buckley, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Harvin D. Pitch, Teplitsky, Colson LLP

2:00 pm Recent developments in securities class actions
Panel Members: Michael Eizenga, Siskinds LLP - London
John Lorn McDougall, QC., Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP

2:30 pm Break (Sponsored by Global Resolutions Inc.)

2:45 pm Recent developments in pension and pension benefits class actions
Panel Members:  Michael Mazzuca, Koskie Minsky LLP
J.A. Prestage, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

3:15 pm Recent developments in competition class actions
Panel Members: Charles M.  Wright, Siskinds LLP - London
Eliot N. Kolers, Stikeman Elliott LLP

4:00 pm The Judges’ Perspective
Panel Members: The Honourable Mr. Justice Maurice C. Cullity, Superior Court of Justice
The Honourable Madam Justice Joan L. Lax, Superior Court of Justice
The Honourable Mr. Justice George R. Strathy, Superior Court of Justice
Moderator: Adrian Lang

4:55 pm Closing Remarks from the Program Chairs

5:00 pm Wine & Cheese Reception hosted by the OBA Class Action Subcommittee (Sponsored by Ogilvy Renault LLP and Koskie Minsky LLP)