Civil Litigation
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October 30, 2025
Court provides detailed analysis of income determination for corporate shareholders
Justice Briana Hardwick of the British Columbia Supreme Court, formerly highly respected family law counsel, released her Reasons in S.D.N. v. E.G.N., 2025 BCSC 1994 on Oct. 10, a treatise on the determination of income of a party who is a majority shareholder of multiple corporations, in the context of a child support application.
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October 30, 2025
When the internet refuses to forget: Canada’s stand against X and global duty of care
In September 2025, an unassuming British Columbia tribunal did something that sent tremors through the digital world. It fined X (formerly Twitter) $100,000 for refusing to permanently remove a non-consensual intimate image. The fine itself, albeit modest in size, was hardly the point. What mattered was the poignant message: in Canada, the right to dignity online is not negotiable.
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October 30, 2025
Black magic and black letter: Legal tales of witchcraft, ghosts and haunted houses
It was not a dark and stormy night. It was actually a pleasant fall morning, and I probably should have been entering my dockets. But the Halloween spirit was in the air, and it moved me to see what Canadian law has to say about the occult. Read on if you dare. I promise there won’t be anything as frightening as the Income Tax Act.
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October 29, 2025
Federal Court dismisses DHL’s $4.6M action against Rona for ending shipping deal
The Federal Court has dismissed a $4.6-million action brought by DHL against furniture retailer Rona over the latter’s decision to terminate a block space shipping agreement, finding the contract formed part of a broader transportation deal that permitted termination on 30 days’ notice.
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October 29, 2025
Lawyer hails Ontario decision on school advisory councils as ‘enormously influential’
An Ontario court has ruled that the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) exceeded its authority when it disbanded a parental advisory council at an elementary school and called new elections.
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October 29, 2025
Court certifies issues in proposed beef price-fixing class action
The British Columbia Supreme Court has found issues certifiable in a proposed class action alleging that meatpacking companies conspired to fix prices and limit beef supply, resulting in higher prices for consumers.
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October 29, 2025
From Aroma to Dhaliwal: Lessons on arbitrator’s contracts in ad hoc arbitration, part one
In Canada, the culture of ad hoc arbitration remains stronger than institutional arbitration. While this flexibility offers autonomy and efficiency, it also exposes vulnerabilities, especially when parties and counsel neglect to formalize their relationship with the arbitrator through a robust engagement contract.
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October 29, 2025
William Abourjaili-Bilodeau joins RSS’s insurance team
Robinson Sheppard Shapiro LLP (RSS) has welcomed William Abourjaili-Bilodeau to its insurance practice group.
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October 29, 2025
Commons committee invites public input on improving peace bonds, recognizance orders
A House of Commons committee is soliciting submissions by Nov. 28 to inform its new study of how the safety of women and children is affected by Canada’s bail and sentencing regimes, and how Criminal Code s. 810 (recognizance orders or peace bonds) can be improved to help keep women and children safe.
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October 29, 2025
Bill C-223: Bad ideas on child relocation
Bill C-223 is a private member’s bill to amend the Divorce Act brought forward by Liberal MP Lisa Hepfner, with the help of the National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL). Not enough lawyers and other family law professionals know about the bill or its contents. Bill C-223 is mostly about family violence and parenting. Some provisions about relocation have been tacked on, which I’ll cover here.