Criminal Secondary Liability for Directors, Officers, and Senior Employees

In partnership with Ascendion Law, we are pleased to present the microlearning series, ‍"Criminal Secondary Liability for Directors, Officers, and Senior Employees."


Video 1 - Introduction to Secondary Criminal Liability ifor Directors and Officers

In this video, we discuss the difference between primary and secondary liability and the distinction between secondary liability and vicarious liability. We will review how the Crown proves secondary liability, emphasizing the problematic concept of “acquiescence”.

Resources: Criminal Secondary Liability for Directors, Officers, and Senior Employees


Video 2 - See the Signs: Shielding your Company if an Inspection Becomes an Investigation

In this video, we discuss the tricky problem of how to handle yourself when dealing with government regulators – and when you know there may be an investigation or a prosecution around the corner.

Resources: See the Signs: Shielding your Company if an Inspection Becomes an Investigation


Video 3 - Establishing a Successful Defence Strategy

In this video, we look at two areas. First, we discuss the circumstances in which you will want to retain external counsel to protect the interests of your director, officer or key employee in a criminal investigation or regulatory prosecution. Second, we cover the areas, documents and information corporate counsel will want to review to assess your company's potential exposure to criminal liability and also that of your key employees.

Resources: Establishing a Successful Defence Strategy


Chilwin.pngChilwin Cheng is the Principal Lawyer of Ascendion Law, a boutique litigation firm in Vancouver, BC, focusing on complex commercial litigation and regulatory and white-collar defence.    

He is a former Chief Counsel of the regulator of Canada's public equities markets and trading systems, a former prosecutor with the BC securities commission, and a former Crown Counsel.  

He has appeared as counsel at all levels of court provincially and federally, in mediations, and before regulatory and administrative tribunals. His civil cases usually involve multiple jurisdictions, multiple parties, and complex areas of law.  

Chilwin is a thought-leader in the profession, especially in British Columbia’s regulatory defence and white-collar field. Most recently, he was the Chair of the 2022 Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia Regulatory Proceedings and Criminal Offences conference, a convening of leading practitioners in the province.