Cross-Examination: Strategies for Success

Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Time: 1:00PM - 4:00PM (ET)
Location: National
Delivery: Plenary (Via Zoom) | Workshop (In Person or Via Zoom)

Essential Skills

Program Chairs:
Cathy Guirguis, Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP
Gerry McGeachy, Department of Justice

Cross Examination is one of the most difficult advocacy skills to master, but it can make or break your case. Gain the strategies and insights you need to succeed at trial with this not-to-be-missed session.

The plenary program will be held on March 3, 2026 and the learning-by-doing skills workshop will be held on March 4, 2026. There are two registration options: (1) plenary + workshop or (2) plenary only (see below for more information).

Plenary Details | Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 1:00PM to 4:00PM (ET), Via Zoom
In this practical session, seasoned members of the Bench and Bar will break down fundamentals, strategic considerations, preparation, execution and style - everything you need to become an expert in the art of cross-examination.

Workshop Details | Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 1:00PM to 4:00PM (ET), In-person (Toronto) or Via Zoom
Participants of the plenary session are also eligible to join us for our hands-on skills workshop, which will be held fully remotely. The workshop is your chance to practise and refine your Cross-Examination skills in a supportive environment. You will get practical, individualized feedback from our trained instructors. You will also learn from your peers as you work through the interactive exercises in small groups. Please also note that the workshop requires advance preparation based on a mock case file, which will be provided to you in advance of the workshop.

Free Workshop for New Lawyer Members
New Lawyer Members (0 – 3 years of call) who register for the plenary session of an Essential Advocacy Skills Workshop program can sign up for that program’s skills workshop for free. Simply select the plenary and workshop options for this program and you will not be charged for the workshop.

Of note: if you just signed up for membership, please give our system 10 minutes to sync you to your New Lawyer membership category. If you still do not see the reduced pricing, please contact [email protected] and someone will be happy to assist you.

Registration includes educational materials, which will be provided prior to the program. Registration also includes access to the live webcast recording for 30 days from the date the link is sent to you.

Please note that while the skills are largely applicable across different jurisdictions, the examples will be drawn from Ontario.

Please review the system requirements to view a Zoom event here.

Faculty Includes:
The Hon. Justice M. David Gates, Supreme Court of Yukon
The Hon. Justice Clayton J. Conlan, Ontario Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice Kristin Muszynski, Ontario Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Rosemary E. Nation
Daniel Brown, Daniel Brown Law
Meghan Bridges, Lenczner Slaght LLP
Melissa Burkett, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
Nadia Campion, Lax O'Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb
Arif Chowdhury, Fasken
Jacqueline Cole, Ross & Nasseri LLP
Neville Golwalla, Ministry of the Attorney General
Gillian Hnatiw, Gillian & Co.
Keith Marlowe, KC, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Jaclyn McNamara, Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP
Eric Morgan, Morgan Joshi Law

1:00 – 1:05
Welcome and Introduction Remarks

1:05 – 1:20
The ABCs of Cross-Examination

1:20 – 2:00
Effective Preparation for Cross-Examination

2:00 – 2:30
Cross-Examining Different Types of Witnesses (Who is Your Witness)

2:30 – 2:45
Break

2:45 – 3:15
Cross-Examination in Different Proceedings: Trials, Arbitrations, and Beyond

3:15 – 4:00
View from the Bench: Strategies for Effective Cross-Examination

4:00
Concluding Remarks

Eligible CPD Hours:

Plenary + Workshop:
This program contains 2.5 Professional Hours and is eligible for up to 4.0 Substantive Hours.

Plenary Only:
This program contains 1.0 Professional Hour and is eligible for up to 2.0 Substantive Hours.

Law Society Accredited

This organization has been approved as an Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content by the Law Society of Ontario.

For information on CPD requirements and accreditation across Canada, please click here.

Pricing:

Plenary + Workshop:
TAS Members: $470.00 + Tax | Discount: $352.50 + Tax (please see note below)*
Non-members: $729.00 + Tax | Discount: $546.75 + Tax (please see note below)*

Plenary Only:
TAS Members: $309.00 + Tax | Discount: $231.75 + Tax (please see note below)*
Non-members: $450.00 + Tax | Discount: $337.50 + Tax (please see note below)*

Sole practitioners, lawyers who practise in firms with fewer than 5 lawyers, and government lawyers (including lawyers who work for legal aid clinics) can take advantage of a 25% discount off the registration fee for this program. If you are eligible for this discount, please enter SSG2025 in the appropriate field at check-out.

*The Advocates' Society is pleased to offer a 25% discount on this program for all lawyers who practise as sole practitioners, or in firms smaller than 5 lawyers, and government lawyers (including lawyers who work for legal aid clinics).

Registration includes electronic materials, which will be provided prior to the program. Registration also includes access to the live webcast recording of the plenary session for 30 days from the date of the program.

TAS Members save up to $100 on half-day programs and up to $200 on programs with a skills workshop. Join us today.

Civil Litigation Skills Certificate Program

Cross-Examination: Strategies for Success

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