Pulse
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March 12, 2025
The legal stage: Exploring famous operas with legal themes | Connie L. Braun
Opera originated in Italy during the late 16th century to present a positive image of the ruler and his court to visiting dignitaries. With grand narratives and emotional depth, opera has long been a medium through which complex societal issues are explored.
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March 12, 2025
Improperly issued, executive employment contracts may be unenforceable | Frank Portman
The legal community was abuzz this week with the sudden exit of Diana Miles, the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) chief executive officer, with only a terse news release being provided to the public. Miles had been with the law society for more than 23 years. She was named acting CEO of the LSO in September 2017; the position was made permanent in March 2018.
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March 12, 2025
The SCC’s temporary validity doctrine: A well-intentioned misstep? | Hodine Williams
The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) has long been celebrated as the guardian of the Constitution, the institution tasked with ensuring that the laws of the land align with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. But over the past few decades, a judicial innovation known as “temporary validity” has crept into the court’s toolkit, raising profound questions about its role, its adherence to constitutional principles, and its relationship with the other branches of government.
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March 11, 2025
Law Society of Ontario awards honorary doctorate at ceremony
During the Law Society of Ontario’s (LSO) Call to the Bar ceremony that took place on March 10, Ronald D. Manes received a degree of doctor of laws, honoris causa (LLD).
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March 11, 2025
The law means never having to say you’re sorry | Murray Gottheil
The old timers among us will remember the 1970 movie Love Story, which featured what may be the stupidest line of dialogue ever. I refer to the statement that “love means never having to say you’re sorry.”
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March 11, 2025
Two new appointments made to Ontario courts
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Arif Virani has announced that two judges have been appointed to new positions in courts in Ontario.
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March 10, 2025
New judges appointed to Federal Court
Darren Thorne and Andrew J. Brouwer have been appointed to the Federal Court, announced Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Arif Virani. Justice Thorne replaces Justice H.S. Brown, who became a supernumerary judge on June 15, 2024, and Justice Brouwer replaces Justice M.D. Manson, who became a supernumerary judge as of Feb. 18.
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March 10, 2025
B.C. consumer protection bill will have an effect on contract law practice, lawyers say
B.C.’s government is proposing changes to its consumer protection legislation aimed at cracking down on predatory sales and ensuring people are better protected when making purchases, with legal observers saying if the legislation passes as proposed it will have a significant effect on business — and the legal professionals that help them in interpreting their contracts.
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March 10, 2025
Two judicial appointments made to B.C. courts
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Arif Virani has announced that Justice Heather MacNaughton has been appointed to the Court of Appeal for British Columbia in Vancouver as a Justice of Appeal, while Justice Julia E. Lawn has been appointed to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in Vancouver as a judge. The appointments are effective as of Jan. 1 and March 7, respectively.
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March 10, 2025
Mutual recognition of law licences: A step toward greater access to justice? | Daniel J. Escott
Canada’s first ministers have made a strong commitment to eliminating internal trade barriers, including the mutual recognition of professional credentials across provinces. While this effort is largely driven by economic concerns, including the need to strengthen domestic trade in the face of U.S. tariffs, the proposal raises fundamental questions for the self-regulated-by-jurisdiction legal profession. Specifically, should Canada’s lawyers be able to practice freely across provincial boundaries? And if so, how would this affect the longstanding principle of self-regulation by law societies? Furthermore, how would such a reform impact access to justice for Canadians, particularly those in underserved regions?