Mastering the Skill of Judgment Writing (2026 Edition)
– Joint program with the NJI

Date: April 19-23, 2026
Price per person: N/A
Location: In Person: Montreal

OVERVIEW

Writing is at the core of the judicial function. Judges rely on their ability to craft clear, concise and persuasive reasons to ensure that their decisions are understood and accepted by the parties, other courts and the public.

Mastering the Skill of Judgment Writing—presented jointly by the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice and the National Judicial Institute—is an intensive biennial program that will help judges take their judicial writing skills to an advanced level. The seminar features extensive small-group work and individualized feedback on writing problems from experienced judicial faculty and experts on judicial writing.

After taking part in this seminar, you will return to your courtroom better able to:

  • create an effective overview, both to orient the reader and to increase your efficiency as a writer;
  • structure complex material by placing context before the details;
  • organize facts and law to create clearer, more concise judgments;
  • refine your style to create more persuasive sentences;
  • self-edit efficiently and effectively; and
  • understand your own writing process, enabling you to conquer writer’s block and its frustrations.

 

Bilingual program with simultaneous interpretation.
Participation approval is pending (Section 41 (1) of the Judges Act).

 

CO-CHAIRS

  • The Honourable Justice Peter M.S. Bryson, Nova Scotia Court of Appeal
  • The Honourable Justice Marie-Josée Hogue, Court of Appeal of Quebec

 

REGISTRATION

Before registering for this advanced seminar, it is mandatory to have participated in the annual judgment writing seminar and then acquired a few years of experience. However, judges with extensive experience who did not attend the first course are invited to contact us if they wish to register.

Please contact the Project Manager of Judicial Programs, Vicki Gondek:
Tel.: 514-731-2855, extension 6
Email: vicki.gondek@ciaj-icaj.ca

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  • Inability to attend may result in a registration being transferred to a colleague of the same organization up to 7 days before the Event. The request must be made in writing.
  • Cancellation incurs processing fees as follows: $100 for cancellations 30 days or more before the event and 50% of the registration fee for cancellations 7 days or more before the event. No refund will be extended for cancellations made less than 7 days before the event.