Pulse
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December 01, 2025
Ontario law society approves 2026 budget, amends reporting bylaw
Benchers of the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) have set the financial table for the upcoming year, approving the 2026 budget that includes a modest annual fee increase for lawyers and paralegals. Lawyers will pay a fee of $2,080, an increase of approximately two per cent over the 2025 fee level of $2,039. Paralegals will pay $1,037 — with the net fee payable being $1,007 after applying a $30 refund from the paralegal compensation fund. In 2025, paralegals paid $1,023.
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December 01, 2025
Judge Lisa Wyatt named administrative judge for B.C. Interior
The Provincial Court of British Columbia has announced that Judge Lisa Wyatt has been appointed as the regional administrative judge for the court’s Interior region.
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December 01, 2025
Nonye Ngwaba joins DLA Piper’s restructuring team
Nonye Ngwaba has joined DLA Piper (Canada) LLP in Vancouver as an associate in the firm’s restructuring group.
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December 01, 2025
Things that get better with age: Fine wine, cheese and lawyers
One of my favourite mentees made the long drive to the country for lunch with my wife Maureen and me the other day. I will call her Sara. We enjoyed the lunch, and Sara’s company was delightful, as always.
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November 28, 2025
CIVIL PROCEDURE - Pleadings - Failure to disclose a cause of action or defence
Appeal by Ms. McKee from motion judge’s order dismissing negligence claim. Bradley McKee stabbed his father, William McKee, to death. At the time of the stabbing, Bradley was 27 years old and had a long history of serious addiction and mental health issues. Ms. McKee was Bradley’s mother and William’s wife. She brought an action in negligence against two of Bradley’s psychiatrists, Dr. Lorberg and Dr. Shahid (collectively the respondents).
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November 28, 2025
The importance of client prep, Looney Tunes style
Benjamin Franklin said, "By failing to prepare, you're preparing to fail."
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November 28, 2025
Supreme Court of Nova Scotia welcomes new judge to Sydney
Justice Scott Campbell is the newest judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. The appointment, effective immediately, was announced by the federal minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. Justice Campbell will preside in Sydney.
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November 28, 2025
CIVIL LIABILITY - Failure to make timely disclosure - Persons liable
Appeal by appellants from a judgment of the Ontario Court of Appeal which granted the respondent leave to bring a claim for statutory cause of action under the Securities Act (Act) and remitted issues regarding certification of a class proceeding to the Superior Court.
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November 28, 2025
Malayalam speaking defendant wins appeal for access to justice
The right to counsel is a fundamental right guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which applies at several key stages. When a person is arrested or detained, police must inform them of the right to speak with a lawyer and give a reasonable opportunity to do so.
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November 28, 2025
Avoiding frauds in group lottery play
A recent Toronto criminal case involving an alleged fraud on a group of lottery players has drawn national attention. On July 2, 2025 a 70- year-old man claimed a $1 million Lotto Max Free Play win. Soon afterward a group contacted police claiming the ticket was actually owned by them and that the so-called leader of the group had defrauded then by claiming the win for himself alone.