In-House Counsel
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January 08, 2026
SCC’s dual approach to arbitration: Competitive advantage or hidden risk?
The Supreme Court of Canada has never agreed to review an arbitral-related judicial decision after a provincial appellate court has made its ruling. While the SCC is willing to shape the law of arbitration agreements, it has dismissed leave applications in cases primarily focused on reviewing an arbitral award. This difference is quite notable.
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January 08, 2026
Top Ontario employment law decisions of 2025, part two
2025 was another eventful year in employment law. As with previous years, the enforceability of termination clauses continued to dominate courts’ time, but a more balanced approach to these clauses emerged this past year. We also saw our courts address the duty to mitigate, pre-employment inducement and, right before the holidays, claw back clauses, giving those practising in this area clear guidance on these issues. The following is part two of the top Ontario employment law decisions of 2025.
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January 08, 2026
Camelot, Marilyn and the mirage of proof: A journalist’s blunder as blueprint for honest lawyering
Over the holiday break, I had the pleasure of watching the Netflix documentary Cover-Up, which explores the life and career of legendary investigative journalist and author Seymour Hersh. Hersh is known for exposing truths behind government veils. In this documentary, he is portrayed as a somewhat mercurial character, but nonetheless his deeply rooted humanity shows through.
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January 07, 2026
B.C. Court of Appeal overturns $12M intermediary fee in cattle ranch deal
The B.C. Court of Appeal has overturned a $12-million award to an intermediary in a cattle ranch acquisition, ruling that while the parties agreed on services and other terms, the absence of agreement on price defeated enforcement of an alleged oral contract.
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January 07, 2026
B.C. establishes restricted insurance agency licensing framework
On Dec. 18, 2025, the Government of British Columbia introduced the long-anticipated Restricted Insurance Agent Licence Regulation (Regulation). The Regulation establishes a restricted licensing framework (framework) for businesses that sell ancillary insurance products incidental to their primary business activities, such as add-on insurance offered in connection with the sale or rental of vehicles or electronics.
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January 07, 2026
Creating competitors: Trump’s regime changes in Canada and Venezuela
Recent press coverage of the capture of Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, and his replacement with Delcy Rodríguez has been a case of fanciful explanations chasing very few facts. The administration has been of little help with its recent endorsement of Maduro’s second-in-command as the new leader of Venezuela.
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January 06, 2026
Ontario Superior Court dismisses motion to reduce construction lien security
The Ontario Superior Court has dismissed a motion to reduce lien security on two construction projects, ruling that the developer and construction manager failed to establish that the quantum of liens claimed by a mechanical subcontractor was excessive or improper.
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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.
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January 06, 2026
Top Ontario employment law decisions of 2025
2025 was another eventful year in employment law. As with previous years, the enforceability of termination clauses continued to dominate courts’ time, but a more balanced approach to these clauses emerged this past year. We also saw our courts address the duty to mitigate, pre-employment inducement and, right before the holidays, claw back clauses, giving those practising in this area clear guidance on these issues. The following are the top employment law decisions of 2025.
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January 06, 2026
Ontario Civil Rules Review working group calls for expansion of mandatory mediation
The Civil Rules Review (CRR) was launched in 2024 as a joint initiative of the chief justice of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the province’s Attorney General. The CRR’s mandate was to propose wholesale reforms to the Rules of Civil Procedure (the Rules), which were last overhauled in 1985, so that the civil justice system is more accessible and to reduce costs and delays.