Wills, Trusts & Estates
-
April 23, 2024
Quebec bill grants protections and establishes new obligations to de facto unions
A new proposed Quebec legal framework for common-law couples who become parents after June 2025 will be entrusted with new rights and obligations and benefit from some protections granted to married couples, a development viewed by family law experts as a step in the right direction.
-
April 22, 2024
SCC’s spring session features weighty constitutional & admin law appeals but case volume is light
Constitutional and administrative law cases dominate at the Supreme Court of Canada this spring, with the handful of appeals to be heard involving class actions, standard of review, the honour of the Crown and the right to vote.
-
April 22, 2024
Alabama IVF ruling: Bad facts make bad law | Abby Hafer
On Feb. 16 of this year, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos that are created by in vitro fertilization (IVF) are to be considered children. Since Canadian conservatives have a bad habit of sounding like their southern counterparts, this should worry Canadians.
-
April 19, 2024
TRUSTS — Resulting trusts — Creation — When presumption operates — Intention
Appeal by Luigi from conclusion of application judge that he intended to gift Paula, his former daughter-in-law, her interest in the property located at 415 Lisgar Street (415 property).
-
April 18, 2024
The multi-disciplinary lawyer: Why legal expertise isn’t enough
The conventional notion of what makes a successful, valuable lawyer has and continues to undergo a transformation. While it is still important to have legal expertise, this has become just the starting point for the profession as a whole and is in no way guaranteed a successful representation of clients and the community.
-
April 17, 2024
Digital solutions through an Indigenous lens | Lawrence Lewis
In a world where digital transformation shapes every aspect of our lives, the narrative of technological advancement often overlooks the diverse needs and voices of Indigenous communities. But creating digital solutions through an Indigenous lens — combining traditional values through innovative pathways — gives rise to progressive structures that honour cultural significance.
-
April 16, 2024
Legal aid funding, auto theft crack down and redistribution of judgeships feature in federal budget
Funding for legal aid to reduce court delays; redistributing “unused” Alberta unified family court posts to other superior courts; and creating new offences and harsher penalties for auto theft are among dozens of justice-related measures proposed in the latest federal budget, which the minority Liberal government says aims to enhance the affordability of shelter, groceries, internet and other necessities for Canadians.
-
April 16, 2024
Budget 2024 tax initiatives to play a key role in Ottawa’s effort to boost housing, economy
In a sweeping 2024 budget that targets increased housing, lower living costs, small-business support and greater economic growth, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government is also taking tax measures to help offset a projected $40 billion deficit for 2023-24 and a rising federal debt estimated to reach $1.37 trillion by 2029.
-
April 11, 2024
Ottawa unveils affordability measures to aid ‘first-time’ homebuyers, mortgage-strapped owners
The Trudeau government is proposing measures aimed at assisting “first-time” buyers to save for a home as well as helping cash-strapped owners hang on to their mortgaged homes.
-
April 11, 2024
B.C. introduces legislation on legal profession reform; law society, bar association opposed
The B.C. government has unveiled long-promised legislation to bring lawyers, paralegals and notaries under the umbrella of one regulator. But the provincial law society and bar association have both come out swinging against the proposals, saying they would erode the independence of the legal profession.