September 25, 2026
In 2024, British Columbia took a seismic step away from treating family pets as ordinary property under the law when couples separate. Amendments to B.C.'s Family Law Act took effect on Jan.15, 2024 and introduced specific factors that courts must consider when determining which spouse should be granted ownership or possession of the family's companion animal. (See: B.C. Gov News.)
September 25, 2026
Shelley-Anne Stacey and William Vey lived together for three and a half years. They never married and had no children. The Appeal Court determined that the uncontroverted evidence was that there was a brief relationship that was not stable, with no children or common family obligations. Stacey moved into Vey’s Richmond Hill, Ont., home in July 2015. Two years later, Vey sold the home and the couple moved into a new home in Alliston, 90 kilometres north of Toronto.
September 24, 2026
As estate planning lawyers, we constantly orbit the estate litigation galaxy, navigating to keep our clients’ estates from being pulled into the black hole of court. This article is a guide for both estate planning lawyers and their clients to stay in “safe orbit” and navigate smartly around some of the most common estate litigation in the galaxy, with a nod to the late 1970s comedy science-fiction series A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
September 24, 2026
A recent decision granting bail pending appeal in a serious firearms case reminds us that Canadian bail law focuses on risk, compliance and public confidence, not an accused person’s ability to post bail.
September 24, 2026
Appeal by claimant from order refusing to require the respondent to return the child to British Columbia, and cross appeal by the respondent from orders finding that the Supreme Court had territorial competence and appointing the claimant as an interim guardian.
September 23, 2026
“What does he want?” In the first chapter of my book, AI Armor, I talked about a conversation with a divorce coach, where she asked me this question.
September 23, 2026
Appeal by appellant from dismissal of her action against her former spouse for damages for sexual assault, assault, battery, and intentional infliction of mental suffering.
September 22, 2026
Where a child goes to school is an all-or-nothing decision. Because there is no middle ground, any misalignment between separated parents can easily become a dispute that requires judicial resolution. For the family lawyers who represent these parents, their dispute can carry added importance: the issue often arises on an urgent or interim basis shortly before the beginning of the school year.
September 22, 2026
A manslaughter case can turn on a single act for purposes of criminal liability, even if it is not a single-act case for purposes of sentencing.
September 22, 2026
Appeal by appellant from order dismissing her application to cancel two certificates of pending litigation (CPLs) filed by respondent against properties in which appellant held registered interest.