Judicial Review of Government Contracts
March 21, 2024 By Nick Melchiorre Judicial review is like an express lane towards a court decision – it is only available to review administrative decisions of governmental bodies. occasionally clogged by a twelve-car pileup, but more efficient than the typical Superior Court collector lane pace. Also like an express lane, it only works to […]
The Cost Of Settling Unreasonably
March 19, 2024 By Jonathon Clark A settlement agreement between parties to a lawsuit is a contract, and will be enforced by the court where the parties: had a mutual intention to create a legally binding contract; and reached agreement on all of the essential terms of the settlement. Where the agreement is in writing, […]
Does That Property Belong To Your Spouse?
March 14, 2024 By Brian Babcock A spouse may not pursue a claim that the other spouse has a beneficial interest in a property held for them. What does this mean? Assume a scenario where there is a married couple. One spouse, A, owns a property which is registered on title as being jointly owned […]
What Is An Examination for Discovery
March 12, 2024 By Jonathon Clark After pleadings are exchanged in a civil litigation action, the next step in the litigation is to schedule examinations for discovery. An Examination for Discovery is an oral examination under oath, which would be held with a Court Reporter present, at which time each lawyer involved has an opportunity […]
Is That Will Valid?
March 7, 2024 By Mark Mikulasik IS THAT WILL VALID? I am writing this in November, which is “Make A Will Month”, but not just to remind you that any time is a good time to make a will. If you don’t need another reason to do so how about this – without a will, […]
So, You Want To Be A Witness…
March 5, 2024 By Jonathon Clark No one really WANTS to be a witness, but sometimes we have no choice. Courts run on evidence, and evidence comes through witnesses, whether in an affidavit or in person. We have already written about the serious business of affidavits. Being a witness in person is different but just […]
Lien Trusts Require Separate Action
February 29, 2024 By Mark Mikulasik When the Construction Act replaced the Construction Lien Act one of the amendments we liked was the apparent ability to join a claim for breach of trust with the lien and breach of contract claims, simplifying and consolidating related claims into one action. Or so we thought. Turns out […]
Arbitration Clause In Employment Agreement Invalid
February 27, 2024 By Brian Babcock Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (or ESA) provides a complaint resolution process. THE ISSUE As a result, a provision in an employment contract requiring arbitration may be invalid as contravening that Act, which prohibits contracting out of the Act, except to provide a greater benefit. THE CASE The employer in […]
Credit Proofing Made Difficult
February 22, 2024 By Jonathon Clark People starting a risky business venture – which is pretty much everyone starting a new business- are frequently to protect their assets. THE ISSUE One popular method is putting the family home in the name of your spouse (or adult child). The doctrine of presumption of trust could protect […]
Covid and Business Interruption Insurance
February 20, 2024 By Brian Babcock The Court of Appeal continues to make it difficult to obtain insurance payouts for the COVID pandemic’s effect on your business. THE CASE SIR Corp. v. Aviva Insurance Company of Canada is an example that involves a business interruption claim made by a large chain of restaurants forced to […]