Civil Litigation
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March 21, 2025
Canada sanctions 8 Venezuelan officials, 3 Haitians individuals with dealings and immigration bans
The Government of Canada has imposed sanctions against three individuals it says have exacerbated the political, security and humanitarian crisis in Haiti and against eight current senior officials of the Venezuelan government it says have engaged in activities that directly or indirectly supported human rights violations or anti-democracy violations in Venezuela.
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March 21, 2025
Two new partners at Nathanson, Schachter & Thompson
Nathanson, Schachter & Thompson (NST) has added Emily Hansen and James Parker as partners at its British Columbia-based firm.
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March 21, 2025
Quebec legislative proposal to create Unified Family Tribunal panned by experts
In its latest effort to revamp family law, Quebec introduced a bill that lays the groundwork to establish a unified family court to curb delays, simplify proceedings, and handle the majority of family legal proceedings, with an eye towards eventually stripping Superior Court of family matters, an undertaking family law experts have panned as ill-conceived and riddled with shortcomings as it is currently drafted.
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March 21, 2025
The Vento decision and the future of bias standards in international arbitration
On Jan. 30, 2025 in Law360 Canada, I wrote regarding the Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision in Aroma Franchise Co. v. Aroma Espresso Bar Canada Inc., 2024 ONCA 839 (Aroma):
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March 20, 2025
B.C. Court of Appeal affirms B.C. jurisdiction over Quebec companies in opioid class action
The B.C. Court of Appeal has affirmed British Columbia’s jurisdiction over Quebec-based opioid suppliers in the province’s class action to recover healthcare costs linked to the opioid crisis.
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March 20, 2025
Federal plan aims to end over-criminalization of Indigenous people & support Indigenous legal orders
The minority Liberal government has rolled out its “Indigenous Justice Strategy”— the first federal roadmap toward revitalizing Indigenous laws and legal orders and ending the over-criminalization of Indigenous people in Canada, Ottawa says. The single-spaced 46-page document was developed by the federal government over more than four years, taking into account extensive consultations with Indigenous community members, representative organizations and governments, as well as with provincial and territorial governments.
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March 20, 2025
Shipping firm not liable for cargo that didn’t reach intended destination, Federal Court rules
A global shipping company should not be held liable for the loss of a container of lentils that never reached its destination, the Federal Court has ruled.
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March 20, 2025
McCague Borlack hires new associate
Juela Xhaferraj has joined the Ontario-based firm McCague Borlack.
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March 20, 2025
Family law appeals: Simplify the process | Gary Joseph
I have previously written about the complexities of family law appeals. I would certainly agree with those who argue that such appeals should be discouraged but let’s all agree that there are times when lower court results are not entirely in accord with accepted jurisprudence and family law litigants should have access to the appeal process to address legitimate concerns.
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March 20, 2025
Wrestling with witness weaknesses
Hearing panels often make credibility assessments. Many times, the finding is based on the most reliable evidence even though no witness was “lying.” Events might not have been observed closely. Memories might have faded. Motivation might have tainted the witness’ recollection. However, sometimes one of the witnesses is simply not being candid.