Week Nine: Opening & Closing Statements

 

• Judge versus jury trials.

• Boundaries of openings - telling the plaintiff’s story and anticipating the defendant’s theory of the case: Knauf v. Chao, 2009 BCCA 605; Brophy v. Hutchinson [2003] B.C.J. No. 47 (C.A.); Moskaleva v. Laurie, 2009 BCCA 260.

• Use of demonstrative evidence - Moore v. Kyba, 2011 BCSC.

• Examination in chief, cross examination, and reply.

• Objections.

• Boundaries of closing statements - Cahoon v. Brideaux, 2010 BCCA 228; Giang v. Clayton [2005] B.C.J. No. 163 (C.A.); de Araujo v. Read [2004] B.C.J. No. 963 (C.A.); Walker v. John Doe and ICBC, 2012 Vancouver Registry, Docket MO85239.

• Reply Submissions.

• Keys to effective delivery: natural speaking, charisma, and the use of 3s.

• Psychology of persuasion (how far is too far in an opening statement) - Aberdeen v. Langley (Township), 2006 BCSC 2062 - case example involving inflammatory opening statement.