Family

  • September 21, 2026

    Atlantic courts see rise in AI filings, cite accuracy and deepfake concerns

    Judges in Atlantic Canada are confronting a rapid rise in the use of artificial intelligence in court proceedings, warning that unverified AI-generated materials, deepfakes and increasing volumes of submissions could threaten accuracy, privacy and the efficient administration of justice.

  • September 21, 2026

    Civil litigation, real property law and certificates of pending litigation: 1316215 BC Ltd. v. Davis

    Civil litigation relating to real estate has its limitations and it cannot be used to abuse the process. A British Columbia Court of Appeal case led to this conclusion (1316215 BC Ltd. v. Davis, 2026 BCCA 338).

  • September 21, 2026

    Ontario Court of Appeal addresses insufficient notice of liability, orders new trial

    The Ontario Court of Appeal has ordered a new trial for Jonathan Massicotte after finding that he was convicted of second-degree murder on a theory of liability about which his trial counsel had not received sufficient notice (R. v. Massicotte, 2026 ONCA 526).

  • September 18, 2026

    Lavery welcomes 3 lawyers in Montreal

    Lavery has added three lawyers in Montreal: Jean-François Bigras in its family law group, Nicolas Bonhomme in litigation and dispute resolution, and Natalia Leon in labour and employment law.

  • September 18, 2026

    Six myths about appointing guardians for your minor children if you die

    People often put off preparing their wills for many reasons. What often brings about a mindset shift is the birth of a child. Suddenly, parents start asking questions they may not have considered before: What happens if I die? Who will take care of my child if my child is still a minor? Who will make important decisions for them?

  • September 18, 2026

    Nova Scotia murder appeal: Scheduling, procedures should not eclipse justice

    A criminal conviction is not an ordinary judgment. It can take away a person’s liberty for years, and in the most serious cases, for life. That is why there is a strong argument that when reasonable grounds exist to challenge a conviction or sentence, no limitation period should prevent a court from hearing the challenge.

  • September 17, 2026

    A new take on the Ontario courts’ practice directions

    There was a time when a family law client needed a parenting schedule, support or the sale of the home, so you typed out a notice of motion and an affidavit. Your client swore it was true. You filed it. A judge read it, heard argument, and it all was sorted out before lunch.

  • September 17, 2026

    Charter protection is for everyone: Corrections system must address transgender situation

    A lawsuit brought by Jeffrey Hartman, a partner in the Toronto law firm Lockyer, Zaduk Zeeh, concerns an alleged incident at a federal institution in Ontario and raises an uncomfortable question for the correctional system: how should prisons accommodate transgender inmates while maintaining the safety, security and privacy of everyone in their care?

  • September 16, 2026

    Ottawa & judges dispute if Carney gov’t gave meaningful effect to judicial pay commission’s work

    A behind-the-scenes bid by federal chief justices to make future recommendations from the federal independent judicial pay commission process binding on Ottawa is on hold as representatives of Canada’s 1,200 federal judges and Federal Court associate judges sue the Carney government for allegedly not giving “meaningful effect” to the work and non-binding advice of the latest quadrennial Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission (Giardini Commission.)

  • September 15, 2026

    Rebecca Wakeam returns to Thomson Rogers as family law partner

    Rebecca Wakeam has returned to Thomson Rogers LLP as a partner in its family law group in Toronto.