Employee Records: New Developments In Defamation
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]November 16, 2010 By Brian Babcock Words are not just the lawyer’s stock in trade – they are the building blocks of any legal dispute. Every document in an employee’s file is a source where a disappointed employee or former employee may find grounds for a claim for damages. Sometimes, the old adage “the less said […]
Changes To Ontario Accident Benefits Will Affect Your Next Renewal
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]November 2, 2010 By Brian Babcock Effective September 1, 2010 the Ontario standard form automobile policy changed, for the fourth – or perhaps fifth – time in twenty years, to conform to new regulations relating to statutory accident benefits (sometimes referred to as “no fault benefits”). These are the benefits paid beginning immediately after an accident […]
Child Support
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]March 30, 2010 By Brad Smith Child support, for married or unmarried spouses, is determined according to the Child Support Guidelines. Child support is the amount set out in published Tables according to the number of children, the income of the support payor plus “special or extraordinary expenses”. For example, according to the Tables, in Ontario, […]
Custody And Access Of Child
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]March 23, 2010 By Brad Smith Custody of a child is determined according to the best interests of the child. Factors considered in determining the best interests of a child include: the love, affection and emotional ties between the child and parent the age, views and preferences of the child the length of time the child […]
An Introduction To Family Law
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]March 17, 2010 By Brad Smith There are several issues that arise in family law, including spousal support, child support, possession, division, and equalization of property and custody and access of children. These do not arise just at the time of separation of spouses. These issues should be addressed several times in the life of you […]
Court Reform Features Increases To Limits Of The Small Claims Court And Simplified Rules
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]February 1, 2010 By Brad Smith Several important changes affecting the civil courts designed to increase access to justice, reduce delay and lower the costs of court proceedings came into effect on January 1, 2010. The changes make court proceedings more economical. Previously, a person may have not pursued a claim, or settled it unfavourably, because […]
Bill 168 – The Occupational Health And Safety Amendment Act
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]December 15, 2009 On December 15, 2009 Bill 168, the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace) received Royal Assent. Bill 168 will be in effect on June 15, 2010. Bill 168 amends the Occupational Health and Safety Act to address workplace harassment and workplace violence (including a threat to exercise physical force). This […]
How Much Liability Insurance Do I Need?
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]October 30, 2009 By Brian Babcock The short answer is as much as you can afford. For most people, liability insurance comes in 2 or 3 forms – home, auto and possibly business. In each case, the liability coverage limit is the maximum amount the insurer will pay on your behalf if you accidentally injure someone, […]
What Is Personal Liability Insurance, Or Umbrella Coverage?
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]October 16, 2009 By Brian Babcock The Ontario Court of Appeal recently upheld a jury verdict which assessed damages at over $15 million dollars for a motor vehicle case. After contributory negligence, the judgment was $9.5 million. Most automobile policies provide coverage of $1 million, and often insurers will only offer a maximum of two million. […]
Tax Free Savings Accounts And Family Law
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]March 9, 2009 By Brad Smith Most people have likely heard of the Tax Free Savings Account or TFSA. They became available January 1, 2009. A Tax Free Savings Account allows you to deposit $5,000 per year and grow without paying taxes. The deposit is not tax deductible. But none of the money withdrawn from the […]