The Complete Brief
-
February 12, 2026
Ontario Court of Appeal decision informed by complainant’s motive to fabricate evidence
The fabrication of a story alleging that a crime was committed would necessarily result in an acquittal. Proving such motivation can be tricky. Defence counsel for Ryan Alexander Stuart chose to confront a complainant of sexual assault directly by asking a simple question: “Is it fair to say, ma’am, that you were concerned about having sex with Ryan and that it was going to interfere or harm your chances to get back with your ex?”
-
February 11, 2026
Court dismisses appeal for defendant hockey leagues to cross-examine before certification
The British Columbia Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by various hockey leagues seeking to conduct cross-examinations at the pre-certification stage of a proposed class action against them.
-
February 11, 2026
Saskatchewan Appeal Court explores self-defence in assault case
Criminal court judges must be “alive” to any “air of reality” to self-defence claims in assault cases, says a lawyer acting in a matter where an online argument turned into a fight involving a baseball bat and skateboard.
-
February 11, 2026
Marie-Christine Côté joins Lavery’s health law team
Lavery has added Marie-Christine Côté as a senior associate in the firm’s health law group in Quebec City, according to an announcement.
-
February 11, 2026
Pape Salter Teillet adds Jesse McCormick as senior counsel
Jesse McCormick has joined Pape Salter Teillet LLP as senior counsel, bringing experience in Aboriginal and treaty rights, regulatory matters, economic participation and governance, the firm has announced.
-
February 11, 2026
The new accountability: Why process is becoming a professional requirement in negotiation
For decades, negotiation remained the “black box” of legal work. While research became transparent and file management became auditable, negotiation stayed insulated behind “instinct” and “professional judgment.” Those things mattered — and still do — but they were hard to explain, document and audit. That insulation used to be acceptable.
-
February 11, 2026
Federal Court rejects reconsideration bid based on improperly filed privacy complaint
The Federal Court has declined to reconsider an order striking a statement of claim without leave to amend, finding that a complaint to the Privacy Commissioner that was allegedly overlooked in the order was not properly before the court during the motion to strike.
-
February 11, 2026
Student paper snapshots in animal law: Limits of Canada’s animal welfare recognition
Next in my animal law student paper snapshot series, I’m highlighting a research paper on cetaceans by my animal law student at the Peter A. Allard School of Law at UBC, Isabella Schopper.
-
February 11, 2026
Five years for Snapchat-facilitated child sexual offences in B.C., and what it signals for sentencing
A recent Campbell River, B.C., case in which a 33-year-old Surrey, B.C., man received a five-year penitentiary sentence after pleading guilty to child sexual offences involving a youth he met on Snapchat is a reminder of how digital communications continue to increase in relevancy within the criminal justice system.
-
February 11, 2026
MARITAL OR FAMILY PROPERTY - Asset types - Business, commercial or non-family assets - Equalization or division
Appeal by the appellant from trial judgment ordering unequal division of property and support order in a family law case. The parties agreed to equal division of much of their family property, except for the increase in value of the shares of some companies through which the respondent ran his businesses.