OBA PROGRAM

Do you aspire to be a judge?  There is no better time to start enhancing the skills that directly align with that career goal. Not yet ready to reveal your ambition to your friends and colleagues? The on-line learning format to which we have all had to turn in recent months is the perfect way to further your goal from the comfort and privacy of your home or office.

Dedicate a few lunch-time hours to strengthen your resumé with the OBA’s online Certificate Program - Foundations in Judicial Competencies.  This new certificate program is designed to help you understand what to expect from the selection process and build a solid foundation of the skills and core competencies fundamental to any adjudicative role.

The first session provides an overview of the application and appointment process for federal and provincial judicial vacancies. Hear directly from Fareed Amin, Chair of the Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee, Yasir Naqvi, the former Attorney General, and Brenda Hollingsworth, a former member of the Federal Judicial Advisory Committee, offering their insight into these processes.   Explore many important attributes that may help your application stand out. 

The remaining sessions explore the essential pillars of judicial excellence, namely:

• Judicial Independence, Integrity and Diligence
• Equality and Impartiality
• Overturned: Insights from Appeals Court Judges
• Exploring Unconscious Bias, Raising Awareness and Cultural Sensitivity
• Managing the Courtroom:  Setting the Stage, Interactions with Counsel and Witnesses
• Basics of Judicial Reasoning
• Basics of Judicial Decision Writing

Deepen your knowledge in several core areas.  Gain unparalleled insight from distinguished members of the judiciary on how they overcome challenging aspects of these core competencies and continue to remain focused on the important tenants of their role.

Upon completion of all eight sessions, you will be presented with a Certificate in Foundations in Judicial Competencies. We want to help you position yourself to be a more prepared candidate who stands out. 

Session 1 - The Judicial Application and Appointment Process (August 5, 2020)
Session 2 - Judicial Independence, Integrity and Diligence (August 11, 2020)
Session 3 - Equality and Impartiality (August 19, 2020)
Session 4 - Overturned: Insights from Appeals Court Judges (August 26, 2020)
Session 5 - Exploring Unconscious Bias, Raising Awareness and Cultural Sensitivity (September 2, 2020)
Session 6 - Managing the Courtroom:  Setting the Stage, Interactions with Counsel and Witnesses (September 9, 2020)
Session 7 - Basics of Judicial Reasoning (September 16, 2020)
Session 8 - Basics of Judicial Decision Writing (September 23, 2020)