Civil Litigation
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January 14, 2026
Federal Court approves $100,000 settlements for children of woman killed in boating accident
The Federal Court has approved a settlement under which two minors whose mother died in a boating collision will each receive about $100,000 in damages, resolving claims against the owners and operators of the vessels for loss of guidance, care and companionship, and loss of dependency and services.
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January 14, 2026
When a client claims their lawyer’s mistakes caused them losses
In Ontario, claims that a lawyer made an error in handling a client’s case are tested under the law of professional negligence. These claims are often referred to as “lawyer negligence” or “professional malpractice.” While clients may feel strongly that their lawyer’s conduct caused them harm, Ontario courts apply a structured and demanding legal test before holding a lawyer liable.
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January 14, 2026
Charter rights trump requirement to take oath of allegiance
The concept of taking an oath of allegiance can be traced back to medieval times when people took oaths of fealty to pledge loyalty or faithful service to a monarch or a lord. Today, it is not uncommon for immigrants seeking citizenship in a new country to be required to take an oath of allegiance or oath of citizenship. Professional regulatory bodies, such as law societies, may also obligate members to take an oath of allegiance in order to be admitted.
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January 14, 2026
NEGLIGENCE - Contributory negligence - Apportionment of liability - Water and flooding
Appeal by the Corporation of the City of Hamilton from the trial judgment awarding damages and injunctive relief to National Steel Car Limited. National’s property was periodically flooded for over 20 years due to wastewater overflow from the adjacent Kenilworth Avenue Drainage Channel, which was jointly owned by the City and ArcelorMittal Dofasco Inc.
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January 13, 2026
Supreme Court of Canada Justice Sheilah Martin to retire in May after eight years at top court
Supreme Court of Canada Justice Sheilah Martin, a former University of Calgary law dean and one of the apex court’s criminal and constitutional law experts, will retire May 30, 2026, after working at the high court for more than eight years.
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January 13, 2026
Saskatchewan law society events touching on family violence, drug treatment court
Saskatchewan’s legal regulator is kicking off the new year with a handful of conference sessions examining child-inclusive mediation, family violence and 20 years of Regina’s Drug Treatment Court.
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January 13, 2026
No error in judge’s alteration of contingency fee arrangement: Ontario Court of Appeal
Ontario’s top court has dismissed a challenge of a judge’s decision to amend a contingency fee agreement, underscoring a court’s role in protecting vulnerable clients in legal proceedings.
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January 13, 2026
Binance ordered to pay $262,000 in costs after abusive Hong Kong arbitration bid
The Ontario Superior Court has ordered Binance to pay nearly $262,000 in substantial-indemnity costs after finding that its attempt to launch a Hong Kong arbitration was abusive litigation conduct aimed at undermining a certified class action.
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January 13, 2026
Judge nixes federal refusal to pay for surgery to remove excess skin caused by PTSD-induced obesity
A Federal Court judge has ordered Veteran Affairs Canada (VAC) to reconsider its refusal to pay for plastic surgery for a reserve force veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other serious health repercussions triggered by the sexual trauma she experienced while in the military from 1991 to 1994.
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January 13, 2026
Employment law: Will the Court of Appeal resolve the ‘at any time’ issue?
Throughout my career, I have commented on how remarkable it is that something as fundamental as employment law remains unsettled. What is perhaps even more remarkable is that things that were settled and seemed to be beyond question can become unsettled without any warning and create tremendous uncertainty throughout the employment law bar and the business world.