A practical update on the Supreme Court of Canada's recognition of the tort of intimate partner violence
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
via webinar only
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Who should attend: Civil litigators, family law lawyers, criminal defence counsel
Learning level: All levels
The Supreme Court of Canada's landmark decision in Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia has reshaped the legal landscape for claims arising from intimate partner violence. By recognizing a new tort of intimate partner violence ("IPV"), the court has created new opportunities—and new challenges—for family law and civil litigation practitioners.
This focused 90-minute program examines the elements of the new tort, the role of coercive control, and how IPV claims interact with existing tort remedies, family law proceedings, and damage awards. Faculty will explore practical considerations for pleading, evidence gathering, settlement negotiations, limitation periods, and the relationship between tort damages and family law remedies.
You will learn:
- the key elements of the new tort of intimate partner violence
- how coercive control shapes liability and evidentiary requirements
- when to pursue IPV claims alongside assault, battery, or other torts
- how courts may approach damages, causation, and compensation
- the interaction between tort claims and family law remedies
- emerging litigation strategies and unresolved issues following Ahluwalia
Whether you practice primarily in family law or civil litigation, this program will help you understand the practical implications of one of the most significant recent developments in Canadian tort law.
Law Society of BC CPD Hours: 1.5 hours (this course does not contain professional responsibility and ethics, client care and relations, and/or practice management)
Course Instructors
Sandra L. Kovacs — KazLaw Injury Lawyers, Vancouver
Janelle O'Connor — Murphy Battista LLP, Vancouver
Pricing
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EARLY BIRD Register by Aug. 19/26 |
Regular Price After Aug. 19/26 |
| Live Webinar |
$139 |
$159 |
| Live Webinar Articled Student |
$79 |
$79 |
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Are you a member of the Indigenous legal community (lawyer/Articled Student/legal support staff/paralegal) or a non-lawyer Indigenous community member? CLEBC is committed to reducing barriers to legal education. We value your contributions and encourage your participation in all of our programs. To increase accessibility, we offer a 50% discount* to all self-identifying Indigenous lawyers/Articled Students/legal support staff/paralegals and a limited number of free online registrations to non-lawyer Indigenous community members. (*discount applies to Regular prices, not Early Bird prices). Please contact Customer Service to find out more.
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Registration includes an electronic copy of the reference materials.
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CLEBC Program Lawyer*
Raymond Lee
rlee@cle.bc.ca
*non-practising