Family
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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 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 09, 2026
PM Carney’s appointment of Judge Hogue as Deputy AG of Canada sparks questions within legal community
Quebec Court of Appeal Justice Marie-Josée Hogue is retiring Feb. 1, 2026, from her full-time job on the federal bench — one day before starting work on Feb. 2 as deputy minister of justice and deputy attorney general of Canada, Law360 Canada has learned.
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January 08, 2026
Nova Scotia releases first 2SLGBTQIA+ action plan
Nova Scotia has released its first 2SLGBTQIA+ action plan, which includes addressing that community’s lack of trust in the province’s justice system. A Jan. 8 news release describes the action plan as a “co-ordinated road map to advance equity, improve access to services and supports, and build safer, more inclusive communities.”
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January 08, 2026
Clark Wilson names 3 new partners
Clark Wilson lawyers Dan W. Melnick, David Bowden and Sunny Chiu have joined the firm’s partnership, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
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January 08, 2026
Recognition of an Ontario divorce in Iran: Navigating the legal divide between two systems
Global migration has created families whose legal lives unfold across borders, cultures and legal traditions. One of the most complex examples arises when Iranian nationals divorce in Ontario. While the divorce is fully valid and enforceable under Canadian law, it does not necessarily bring legal finality in Iran. This disconnect often surprises individuals who reasonably assume that a court order ending a marriage in Canada ends it everywhere.
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January 07, 2026
Judge Simmons retires from Nova Scotia Provincial Court
The Honourable Ann Marie Simmons has retired from the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia following a legal career spanning nearly 40 years.
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January 07, 2026
Some new year’s thoughts on family law
“The more things change, the more they stay the same.” This famous saying attributed to the French writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr has been considered by many. Is it so simple? Does nothing really change or is it more thought-provoking: does superficial change often mask unchanging circumstances?
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January 06, 2026
Green card steps for employees: How to prepare before filing
Filing for a green card is an important step when planning to work in the U.S., and engaging in preparation in advance will help the process progress smoothly and minimize the stress of it.