Family
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April 14, 2026
MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT - Child support - Spousal support
Appeal by mother from a decision issued in exceptionally protracted family law litigation. The mother sought appellate intervention regarding child support arrears, s. 7 special expenses, and spousal support. The parties’ litigation history involved over 20 motions, more than 35 court appearances, and multiple consent orders.
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April 13, 2026
Why equal shares aren’t always equal: RRIF estate tax lessons
What happens when a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) is included in an estate but the will says nothing about it? The Québec Superior Court answered that question in Noël c. Birk, 2026 QCCS 187, and the answer should matter to every estate planner, liquidator and testator with registered assets.
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April 13, 2026
SCC’s new session precedes big moves as Martin J. and judges prep for departures
The Supreme Court of Canada’s spring docket presents the nine judges with a wide range of appeals, including the last cases to be heard by soon-to-retire Justice Sheilah Martin and her colleagues in their iconic 1940s-era Ottawa courthouse, which is slated for a multi-year major update. The Supreme Court’s new spring session, scheduled from April 13 to May 22, 2026, features 14 appeals, 10 of which involve criminal law issues.
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April 13, 2026
Should you make the first offer? Anchoring, aggression and strategy in settlement negotiations
Is it better to make a first offer in negotiations? And what about aggressive first offers — do they set an advantageous anchor or lead to insult and impasse?
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April 10, 2026
Osgoode Hall launches new access to justice fund
Toronto’s Osgoode Hall Law School has unveiled a new million-dollar fund to help support access to justice research and students pursuing careers in the area of public interest.
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April 10, 2026
SCC backs insurer in dispute over Quebec death declaration
In a unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court of Canada has clarified the degree of proof required to establish the “return” of a person declared dead under the Civil Code of Quebec. Under the Code, a court can declare a person dead if they have not been heard from in seven years. Known as a declaratory judgment of death, it allows for settlement of a person’s affairs such as permitting succession and dissolving a marriage.
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April 09, 2026
Saskatchewan law society lists upcoming spring conferences
Saskatchewan’s law society has listed several upcoming conferences, including one exploring the use of mediation and another highlighting the contribution of Asian legal professionals.
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April 09, 2026
Witzman, Bi join Clark Wilson’s family law group
Clark Wilson has welcomed Manny Witzman as a partner and Jenny Bi as an associate in its family law group in Vancouver.
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April 09, 2026
Tanzania upheld as appropriate forum in human rights abuse case against Canadian mining company
In a case of numerous alleged human rights abuses and deaths at a Tanzanian mine owned by a Canadian company, the Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld that Tanzania was the more appropriate forum than Ontario. Plaintiffs’ counsel and intervener Amnesty International stated that the decision did not advance access to justice. The case may go to the Supreme Court of Canada.
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April 08, 2026
The rule of law is not a given
Most of us who have grown up in Canada, whether we realize it or not, have always taken the rule of law for granted. We never really thought about it, or what it even was, but that is precisely the point. It has always just been there, like oxygen. You don’t think about oxygen until you have trouble breathing. We as a society are now having trouble breathing.