Fixed vs Indefinite
When an employee is hired by an employer, it is usually for an indefinite term. There are, however, many people who are hired on a contract basis with a term of employment that is fixed. While the former are entitled to reasonable notice or payment in lieu should their employment be terminated, the latter are […]
Buyers and Vendors Beware
The purchase and sale of homes are common activities that happen on a daily basis and ones that many people will be involved with at least once in their life. When deciding whether to sell or buy a home, the first professional that most will contact is a real estate agent. While vendors and purchasers […]
He Who Represents Himself Has a Fool for a Client
There is truth to this famous quote. While there are times when a lay person will be able to navigate their way through a legal issue, there are many other situations when professional legal help should be sought. In this issue of our newsletter we tell you of two cases that involve parties that tried […]
Changes to the Law in 2010 – A Recap
Every year brings changes to a variety of laws, so much so that it is sometimes hard to keep track. Below we have summarized some key changes to Ontario laws that we think you should know about. If You Are a Plaintiff The procedure governing litigation in Ontario saw a number of modifications to make […]
Do It Now Before It’s Too Late
How many of us intend to do any number of things, whether it is to lose weight, make a will or start saving for retirement and then never get around to it?! Unfortunately intention and action are not the same thing. This was aptly demonstrated in a recent decision of the Court of Appeal of […]
When the Boss is a Bully
When you think of bullying the picture that probably pops up is a big mean kid pushing all the other kids around. But if you think this kind of intimidation happens only in the school yard you would be wrong. In recent years, bullying has been making its presence felt in the workplace. When the […]
Child Support Payments: How Far Back Will They Go?
The Ontario Court of Appeal recently released a decision dealing with the issue of a payor father who failed to notify the mother, in a timely fashion, of a substantial increase in his income. Chronology of Events After nine years of marriage and three children, the parties divorced in 1998. The mother was granted custody […]
Don’t Mess with Employment Standards
Dara Fresco has spent the past 10 years working as a bank teller at more than a dozen branches of CIBC. Ms. Fresco claims that she is routinely required to work two to five extra hours a week without being compensated. By her calculations she is owed about $50,000 in overtime pay. Alison Corless worked […]
Working With a Real Estate Agent
The GTA housing market remains red hot. If you are one of those looking to either buy or sell a home then one of your first jobs will probably involve finding a real estate agent. Selling a Home Although you are not legally required to employ the services of a real estate agent when selling […]
Celebrating 25 Years
This year marks the 25th anniversary of one of Canada’s most important legal documents – the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Charter, which is part of our Constitution, sets out those rights and freedoms that Canadians believe are necessary in a free and democratic society. The Charter applies to Parliament and to institutions […]