Learn for Free

The legal proceeding I plan to launch in the coming months pertains to Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In the interim before receiving legal advice according to my limited scope retainer, which will guide the next phase of my legal research, there are several preparatory activities I can undertake. One recommendation is to attend free seminars offered by esteemed lawyers, rather than spending time watching American-style courtroom dramas online.

These seminars occur daily inside the courtrooms of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. It is advisable to select cases that closely resemble your own. Here are some tips:

• Conduct thorough preparation before attending. At a minimum, obtain and read through the legal submissions made by the lawyers representing the opposing parties online. Without this step, you may struggle to comprehend the oral delivery of their arguments before a judge. For instance, you might not understand references such as: "Your Honour, in Sharma at paragraph 6, in light of these constitutional challenges, the Crown unilaterally rescinded the s. 8 CDSA notice."

• Court hearings typically last an entire day and the courts do not provide free lunch. Research nearby eateries beforehand or consider packing your own lunch.

• While it is permissible to bring a notebook computer, it may be more efficient to take handwritten notes on paper based on personal experience.