The Complete Brief
-
March 26, 2026
Importance of police interrogation: Lessons from the Russell Williams case
Should police use strong-arm tactics in an effort to “get tough on crime”? The interrogation of Russell Williams by Jim Smyth is widely recognized as a classic example of a controlled, evidence-based confession strategy. Smyth’s approach was calm, patient and psychologically careful rather than aggressive. It resulted in a confession in one of Canada’s most highly publicized cases.
-
March 26, 2026
Inbound referrals: Know when to say no
Inbound referrals are a wonderful source of work and a compliment to your reputation. They should be honoured and dealt with professionally, without exception.
-
March 26, 2026
CIVIL PROCEDURE - Pleadings - Counterclaim, cross-claim and set-off
Appeal by RIP Defendants from the portion of a decision that struck their plea of equitable set‑off in the Dunn Action on the basis that it was barred by the Limitations Act. Cross‑appeal by Dunn from the judge’s obiter conclusion that equitable set‑off would have been available if not time‑barred. The RIP Action and Dunn Action arose from a breakdown in the parties’ liquor‑store development ventures.
-
March 25, 2026
Correctional program officers face workplace difficulties in federal correctional system: report
The Union of Safety and Justice Employees (USJE) is calling for greater recognition and support for correctional program officers (CPOs) in light of its new research report on the challenges of working in Canada’s federal correctional system.
-
March 25, 2026
Alberta MAID bill’s restrictions vulnerable to challenge beyond mental health issue: legal expert
Alberta lawmakers are currently grappling with legislation that would put guardrails on medical assistance in dying (MAID) for those who are suffering from mental health issues, but legal experts are saying other aspects of the law leave it vulnerable to legal challenge.
-
March 25, 2026
N.B. to increase public trustee’s ability to administer small estates
New Brunswick has introduced legislation that would widen the scope of its public trustee’s ability to deal with smaller estates.
-
March 25, 2026
Dentons welcomes Kristyn Annis as partner
Dentons has added Kristyn Annis as a partner in its Toronto office, joining the corporate and energy groups.
-
March 25, 2026
Feds announce new EI Board of Appeal to begin work on April 1
On March 25, the federal government announced that the new Employment Insurance Board of Appeal (EI BOA) will begin receiving and hearing appeals as of April 1, 2026.
-
March 25, 2026
Alain Paquet joins Lavery as senior associate
Lavery has added Alain Paquet as senior associate in its civil and commercial litigation group.
-
March 25, 2026
Court dismisses former immigration officer’s vexatious litigant appeal
The Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal of a former immigration officer who had his licence revoked and was deemed a vexatious litigant.