Family
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May 28, 2024
In divorce mediation, the good cop and bad cop are both welcome | Steve Benmor
In the murky waters of divorce mediation, where emotions run high and the financial stakes are significant, a subtle yet powerful negotiation strategy often emerges: the good cop/bad cop routine.
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May 28, 2024
Keep the peace and be of good behaviour | Norman Douglas
I ordered thousands of people to do that.
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May 28, 2024
2 judicial appointments for B.C. appeal court
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Arif Virani announced two judicial appointments to the British Columbia Court of Appeal: Margot L. Fleming and Nitya Iyer.
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May 27, 2024
Indigenous Peoples’ Court welcome addition to city of Sudbury | Michael Michel
On May 2, 2024, Sudbury, Ont., became home to the 20th Indigenous Peoples’ Court in the province. In a special sitting of the Ontario Court of Justice, members of local First Nations, the judiciary and various community stakeholders gathered to celebrate this momentous occasion.
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May 24, 2024
SCC rules on privacy limits, pre-screening of ‘other sexual activity’ evidence in sex assault cases
The Supreme Court of Canada has cautioned reviewing courts against imposing overly expansive privacy restrictions in appeals concerning the admissibility in sexual assault trials of evidence of complainants’ “other sexual activity” while also giving guidance on the appropriate use of such evidence for context and credibility purposes.
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May 24, 2024
Ontario Convocation talks criminal charge disclosure, heats up over bullying, money for diversity
A committee with Ontario’s law society is considering recommending that the regulator expand the amount of lawyer information it makes public — including if a member has been hit with criminal charges.
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May 23, 2024
Ottawa proposes Citizenship Act reforms that create new framework for ‘citizenship by descent’
Ottawa has proposed an overhaul of the federal Citizenship Act, which the minority Liberal government says includes a new framework for “citizenship by descent,” going forward, that would allow persons born abroad to Canadians beyond the first generation to access Canadian citizenship based on a “substantial connection” to Canada.
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May 22, 2024
Family law myths and reality | Ken Nathens
As a seasoned family lawyer, I have seen just about every possible fact, scenario and legal argument that relates to family law parenting, support and property issues. Below, in no particular order, and on a purely subjective basis grounded in 30 years of experience, I give to you the top six myths of family law in Ontario accompanied by the realities.
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May 22, 2024
Expert panel recommends 15 per cent salary hike for Quebec provincial court judges
A judicial compensation committee has recommended handing a substantial salary increase to the provincial judiciary to bridge the gap with their federal counterparts and maintain the Court of Quebec’s drawing power, a welcome development that will unlikely to be challenged by the government, according to a pundit.
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May 22, 2024
The argument against new tort of family violence | Gary Joseph
On May 16, the Supreme Court of Canada granted leave to appeal the July 2023 decision of the Court of Appeal of Ontario in the matter of Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia, 2023 ONCA 476. You will recall that at trial (Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia, 2022 ONSC 1303), the court awarded $100,000 in compensatory and aggravated damages for the new tort (created by the court in this case) of family violence. The appeal court allowed the appeal in part, reduced the damages award and refused to recognize the new tort.