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 […]
When is a Car Accident Not a Car Accident?
The Supreme Court of Canada recently ruled in two cases, Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Co v. Herbison and Citadel General Assurance Co. v. Vytlingam, that questioned the scope of auto insurance. Specifically, the Court was asked to consider the sufficiency of the connection between the acts that caused the plaintiffs’ injuries and the use of the […]
The Law of Travel
With the summer vacation season upon us, we thought it timely to provide information to help make your holiday as hassle free as possible. Whether you are dealing with an airline, a cruise, a hotel or a car rental it is important to always remember that you are entering into a legal contract. Therefore, if […]
On Becoming Self-Sufficient
A court of competent jurisdiction may . . . make an order requiring a spouse to . . . pay, such lump sum or periodic sums . . . as the court thinks reasonable for the support of the other spouse. –Section 15.2 (1), The Divorce Act Earlier this year, the Ontario Court of Appeal […]
Pools, an Accident Waiting to Happen – Who is Responsible?
Pools, an Accident Waiting to Happen – Who is Responsible? A pool can provide hours of pleasure for the whole family. However, it only takes an instant for things to go very wrong. In such cases, who must shoulder the blame? The Ontario Court of Appeal was asked to consider this question in a recent […]
Legal Changes 2008
Legal Changes 2008 Workers’ Compensation Are you an employer who is required to register with the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) but have failed to do so? If you are, you may be eligible for an amnesty being offered by the WSIB until March 31, 2008. A full amnesty means: o No penalties for […]
The Canada Pension Plan Survivors’ Benefits
The Canada Pension Plan Survivors’ Benefits If you are employed then you will be aware of the contributions you make to the Canada Pension Plan. These contributions will eventually provide you with a small pension for your retirement. However, what you may not know is that your contributions to CPP will also provide you and […]
A Corporate David and Goliath: The Epilogue
A Corporate David and Goliath: The Epilogue In the Fall 2006 edition of Legal Issues we told you about Reg Ward’s battle with Manulife. Reg is an insurance agent who, after many years of faithful and productive service, was unceremoniously dumped by Manulife. Although Reg won a solid victory against Manulife at the Superior Court […]
Client Identification Rules
Client Identification Rules Beginning in 2009, lawyers in Ontario must comply with new client identification and verification requirements. Since most lawyers have trust accounts there is concern that lawyers could become targets of those wishing to launder money. The Law Society’s Rules require that lawyers identify any individual who retains them to provide legal services. […]