International Society for the Reform of Criminal Law

COVID-19 and Criminal Justice Systems: Challenges and Legacy

Criminal justice practitioners and scholars are invited to a 2-hour webinar, under the auspices of the International Society for the Reform of Criminal Law (ISRCL). The webinar will focus on the challenges presented by COVID-19 to criminal justice systems in Africa and Europe, as well as the legacy this might leave in the future. This webinar is a unique opportunity to observe and learn, across a wide range of jurisdictions, involving the full spectrum of participants in criminal justice systems, from the police, through courts to corrections.

Indigenous Courts: A Cross Jurisdictional Comparison

This 2-hour panel discussion, organized by the International Society for the Reform of Criminal Law (ISRCL) and Courthouse Libraries BC, will compare and contrast the work of Indigenous Courts in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Justice Chamberlain of the Ontario Court of Justice will share a perspective on the Gladue Court in Toronto, Magistrate Previtera of the Magistrates Court of Queensland will share a perspective on the Murri Court, and Judge Davis of the District Court of New Zealand will share a perspective on Maori Court. These presentations will be followed by a discussion moderated by Prof. Cunliffe of Allard School of Law on the potential future of Indigenous Courts in the respective jurisdictions.

Criminal Jury Trials in a Pandemic

This 1.5-hour panel discussion, organized by the International Society for the Reform of Criminal Law (ISRCL) and Courthouse Libraries BC, will take a look at how courts have managed jury trials during the pandemic in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Lord Hugh Matthews, a Senator of the College of Justice and a judge of Scotland’s Supreme Courts will share a perspective from the UK on managing jury trials during the pandemic. Defence counsel, Mona Duckett, Q.C., a senior partner with Dawson, Duckett, Garcia & Johnson will speak to her experience with jury trials in Canada during the pandemic. Andrew Warren, State Attorney of Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit will share a perspective from the US. Our moderator will be Justice Tammen of the BC Supreme Court.