Back to school for lawyers: Strengthening your skills in Emergency Motions
September is the perfect time to look at the skills you want to strengthen for the year ahead.
For lawyers representing survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), being prepared for urgent family law situations is an important part of practice. When a woman’s safety, or the safety of her children, is at immediate risk, there may not be time to wait for a regular motion date.
Lawyers need to know what options are available, when an emergency motion may be appropriate, and how to respond effectively when time is limited.
A new module in Effective Lawyering
Luke’s Place has added a new Emergency Motions Module for Lawyers to the Effective Lawyering with Clients Leaving Abusive Relationships course.
The new module builds on Luke’s Place’s practical resources and experience supporting lawyers who work with survivors of IPV. It provides an opportunity for lawyers to develop their understanding of emergency motions within the broader context of effective, IPV-informed legal practice.
When urgent legal action is needed
Survivors may seek legal help at moments when circumstances have suddenly changed or become more dangerous.
For example, a lawyer may be working with a client who is experiencing:
- An immediate safety concern involving herself or her children;
- An urgent concern about parenting arrangements;
- Escalating harassment, threats, or intimidation following separation;
- Financial circumstances that require immediate attention; or
- Another situation where waiting for the usual court process may not adequately address the immediate concern.
In these circumstances, understanding the available legal options—and assessing whether an emergency motion is appropriate—can be critical.
Practical learning for lawyers
The new module focuses on the practical knowledge lawyers need when responding to urgent situations.
Participants will explore:
- When an emergency motion may be appropriate;
- How to assess and communicate the urgency of a situation;
- The evidence and information that may be important;
- The procedures and court forms involved;
- Common issues to consider when preparing an emergency motion; and
- How to support a survivor through a stressful and time-sensitive legal process.
The module also draws on the Emergency Motions Toolkit, providing lawyers with practical resources they can refer to in their work.
Part of a larger course
The Emergency Motions Module is part of Effective Lawyering with Clients Leaving Abusive Relationships, a course designed to support lawyers in developing effective, survivor-centred and IPV-informed legal practice.
Adding a module on emergency motions to the course means lawyers can now build this important area of knowledge alongside broader learning about representing clients leaving abusive relationships.
Already completed the course?
If you previously purchased and completed the Effective Lawyering course, you do not need to register again.
The new Emergency Motions Module will appear in your course portal once it is available, allowing you to log in and complete the additional learning.
Make professional development part of your Fall plan
The start of a new training year is a good opportunity to revisit the tools and knowledge you rely on in practice.
For lawyers supporting survivors of intimate partner violence, emergency motions may not arise in every case—but when an urgent situation does arise, being prepared matters.
Register for Effective Lawyering with Clients Leaving Abusive Relationships and add emergency motions to your professional toolkit.
Course details
Format: Self-directed online learning, accredited through the LSO
Length: Approximately 4–5 hours
Learning materials: Narrated slide presentations, downloadable resource lists, and transcripts
Fee: $125
Access: Once purchased, processing takes approximately 1–2 weeks. Participants will then receive an email with access information.
The course is available free of charge to law students.
If you are eligible for free access, contact training@lukesplace.ca using your workplace or student email address.
Start your fall professional development with Luke’s Place. Register for Effective Lawyering today.