The Complete Brief
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March 25, 2026
The joint expert playbook: Practical steps for counsel and a call to the bench
The first two parts of this series examined the framework under Rules 20.1 and 20.2, how courts have responded when the joint expert process breaks down, and the high bar for competing expert evidence. This final part turns to practice: structuring the retainer, managing the engagement, and how the bench can move financial disputes toward resolution.
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March 25, 2026
Top four mistakes made by respondents on appeal
When served with a Notice of Appeal to the Ontario Court of Appeal or the Divisional Court, respondents may be tempted to take a cavalier approach. After all, the respondent was already successful in the lower court or tribunal proceeding. Much of the appeal will concern justifying the respondent’s victory. The respondent may hold a sincere conviction that all that is required for the appeal is to repeat and rely on the materials, evidence, and law from the underlying proceeding.
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March 25, 2026
Canada must strengthen immigration security and close screening, enforcement gaps
Recent reporting has raised concerns about the effectiveness of Canada’s immigration security screening and enforcement. Media accounts have described cases in which an individual allegedly appearing in an ISIS execution video later obtained refugee status and citizenship before being arrested in connection with an alleged plot in Toronto; a foreign national with a prior conviction for sexual offences entered on a visitor visa after failing to disclose that history; and individuals linked to the Iranian regime have entered and, in some cases, obtained status in Canada.
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March 25, 2026
Ontario Court of Appeal examines obligations of trial judge for self-represented accused
What assistance should a self-represented accused expect from the presiding judge during a trial? That question was recently addressed in an appeal before the Ontario Court of Appeal.
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March 25, 2026
Parole hearings: A response to Dorson article
It was with great interest that I started reading the article written by David Dorson in Law360 Canada on March 19.
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March 25, 2026
MOTOR VEHICLES AND HIGHWAY TRAFFIC - Driver licensing - Liability and offences
Appeal by Gregory from a decision dismissing her statutory appeal of the Registrar of Motor Vehicles’ (Registrar) cancellation of her driver’s licence. The Registrar cancelled the licence following concerns raised by police and after Gregory failed two recent driving examinations.
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March 24, 2026
SCC judges probe what Charter s. 33 ‘override’ may mean for survival of Charter judicial review
The argument that a legislature’s use of the Charter’s s. 33 “override” clause can temporarily prevent judges from striking down a law but not from reviewing the law’s constitutionality or stating that the law infringes Charter rights and freedoms sparked a lively exchange between counsel and the bench as the Supreme Court of Canada kicked off its inquiry into the constitutionality of Quebec’s controversial “secularism” (Bill 21) law.
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March 24, 2026
CBSA issues temporary halt on removals to UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar
On March 24, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) issued a “temporary halt” on removals to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar.
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March 24, 2026
Ontario court backs municipality’s decision on controversial bus shelter ads
Ontario’s top court has rejected efforts by a political party to put ads on municipal bus shelters expounding their views on gender issues, and a lawyer involved in the case is saying the decision provides a template for cities to follow when confronted with similar issues.
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March 24, 2026
Dalhousie U and King’s College to resurrect joint journalism-law program
Two universities in Nova Scotia are re-launching a joint degree program combining law and journalism in a bid to create professionals able to “cut through the noise” of today’s world.