Virtual Hearings

During the Pandemic, when in-person hearings were cancelled, virtual hearings quickly became the norm for many proceedings. Mediations were one of the first hearings to be transformed to the virtual world. I developed a Virtual JDR Tip sheet for judges and litigants and conducted a dozen virtual judicial dispute resolution hearings.

Eventually, case management hearings were conducted virtually, and I managed three complex commercial receiverships where in some hearings, up to 70 counsel and parties were present. These complex multiple application matters were coupled with a document software program, CaseLines, which managed, in two of the cases, over 15000 pages of material each, over the 30 hearings in question.

Special applications and trials soon turned virtual as well. During the Pandemic, I heard over 20 virtual special applications, and conducted a 12-week multiple party trial (in French – with interpreters for some witnesses) with only 2 “in-person” days to manage some physical exhibits.

On a go forward basis I am happy to continue to use the virtual conferencing platforms (Zoom, Webex, Teams etc.) to save time and expense for the parties – especially in shorter hearings. I am also amenable to hybrid hearings, properly managed. 

Regardless of the method of hearing, I am happy to continue to use digital documents – especially with the appropriate software platforms, such as CaseLines. I am willing to coordinate with counsel to determine what is necessary and will work to streamline the process (and help reduce costs) – both before and during the hearing. Third party providers, such as excellent court reporter services, can also be called upon to help manage the document side of any hearing that is more document intensive.