Real Estate
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November 18, 2025
Additional pre-construction costs depend on agreement of purchase and sale
The purchase of a pre-construction townhouse or other home often involves a written agreement of purchase and sale (APS) that is signed years before the completion of construction and occupancy of the property. Buyers may be surprised if the developer imposes additional charges at the time of closing. Whether such charges are permitted generally depends upon the specific wording in the APS.
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November 18, 2025
Proposed reforms of civil procedure: Refreshing reboot or more of the same?
I was an articling student and had my work cut out for me. I worked on a client file to prove adverse possession for a right of way across a house that had existed since the 50s but was being enforced by a neighbour. I brought all the files I had researched myself — surveys of the land, blueprints rolled up, ancient texts, photos I took of the property, transcripts of examinations.
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November 17, 2025
Option to purchase case illustrates important legal issues
Sri Sabari Peedam v. 1000516033 Ontario Ltd., 2025 ONCA 109 is an interesting case for real estate lawyers not just because of its outcome, but for the numerous real estate legal issues that it presents for consideration.
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November 17, 2025
ATV accident decision illustrative of ‘so much grey in criminal law’
A Toronto criminal lawyer, Michelle Psutka, posted this comment online: “There is so much grey in criminal law. Accused and convicted people are not inherently bad, and the state is not inherently good.”
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November 14, 2025
The problem with ‘fairness’ in family business succession
“Being good is easy — What is difficult is being just.” ~ Victor Hugo
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November 13, 2025
Court affirms order requiring Hamilton to pay $5.3M for flooding damage to business
The Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld a finding that the City of Hamilton is jointly liable for $5.3 million in damages after its failure to maintain a drainage channel contributed to repeated flooding at the property of National Steel Car Limited, a rail car manufacturer.
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November 12, 2025
SCC denies requests by AGs & others to make in-person intervener arguments in historic case
The Supreme Court of Canada is denying recent requests from six intervener attorneys general — as well as counsel for The Advocates’ Society and dozens of other intervener groups — to allow them to make their arguments in person in the upcoming historic Bill 21 appeal, Law360 Canada has learned.
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November 12, 2025
BLG adds Mark Christensen as partner in commercial real estate group
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG) has welcomed Mark Christensen as a partner in its commercial real estate group in Calgary.
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November 12, 2025
Alberta Court of Appeal upholds pastor’s library disturbance conviction
As expected at most libraries, the Seton branch of the Calgary Public Library permits activity and conversation at a speaking volume. There are designated quiet areas and rooms reserved for programming.
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November 11, 2025
New trial ordered in P.E.I. adjoining property dispute
A well-known line from Robert Frost’s poem Mending Wall says, “Good fences make good neighbours.” Sometimes, building a fence or wall is an overly simple solution. When neighbours take each other to court and accusations of criminal behaviour are made, even the trial can become unpleasant. It was this sort of feud that led to the Prince Edward Island Court of Appeal case R. v. Moore, 2025 PECA 6.