Pulse
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June 03, 2025
De Grandpré Chait adds two lawyers to its commercial litigation team
Montreal firm De Grandpré Chait has announced the expansion of its commercial litigation team with the addition of Andréa Laframboise as a partner and Clara Gagné-Thibault as an associate.
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June 03, 2025
Should the Ontario Superior Court eliminate civil trials?
Recognizing the Ontario Superior Court to be “arcane, expensive and plagued by delay,” the Civil Rules Working Group has proposed a grand experiment, namely eliminating discoveries and curtailing document production. In place thereof, parties would be required (as they currently are) to tell the truth and to further co-operate. However, given such requirements, and the clear mandate given to the working group to reduce cost and delay, it must be asked whether the proposed reforms go far enough, or whether the Superior Court should eliminate civil trials as well?
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June 03, 2025
Clark Wilson announces three new associates
Clark Wilson has announced the promotion of Pavneet Grewal, Scott Stewart-Lee and Simon Wu from articled students to associates.
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June 03, 2025
Why inmates’ COVID-19 isolation lawsuit moves forward as class action
When I first started teaching prison law, one of my students struggled to distinguish between the terms “administrative segregation” and “punitive dissociation,” both of which are used by the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) to isolate prisoners. The student expressed concern over the similarity of conditions: “Same bed!”
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June 03, 2025
Beware the nuances of probationary employment
Probationary periods of employment are nothing new, but employers who fail to grasp the nuances involved can face significant legal consequences.
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June 02, 2025
Prime Minister Carney taps Montreal lawyers for key roles in PMO
Prime Minister Mark Carney has hired prominent Montreal lawyer Marc-André Blanchard, the former chair and CEO of McCarthy Tétrault LLP, as his chief of staff, while ex-federal justice minister David Lametti, counsel with Montreal’s Fasken, is also taking on senior responsibilities in the new Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), according to media reports.
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June 02, 2025
Marc-Philippe Gagnon joins McCarthy Tétrault as partner
McCarthy Tétrault has announced the addition of Marc-Philippe Gagnon as a partner in its national tax group, based in Montreal.
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June 02, 2025
Appeal Court determines uninformed guilty plea merits retrial
Dwayne Gordon felt dismayed when he received a longer sentence than he believed was agreed upon during a pretrial negotiation session.
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June 02, 2025
Former OBA president Kelly McDermott receives King Charles III Coronation Medal
Kelly McDermott, former president of the Ontario Bar Association (OBA), has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
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June 02, 2025
Clear as mud? Ontario courts provide context regarding waiver of OBCA dissent rights
In the context of shareholders’ agreements, contracting parties may waive their statutory dissent rights afforded under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (OBCA). In order for the waiver to be enforceable it must be made with clear and direct language.