Areas of Law
Superior Court of Justice amends its’ Consolidated Notice to the Profession and Public Regarding the Small Claims Court
Today the Superior Court of Justice amended its Consolidated Notice to the Profession and Public Regarding the Small Claims Court to: Provide for scheduling terms of payment hearings and new trials. Add a reminder to file all documents that a claim is based on. Explain that the Court is not dismissing actions for delay until… Read More »
Categories: Civil LitigationIneffective Assistance of Counsel Claims – LAWPRO is here to help
The appeal ground of ineffective assistance by trial counsel is steadily on the rise, as most recently demonstrated by the Ontario Court of Appeal case R. v. Trought, 2021 ONCA 379. Lawyers need to know how to best protect themselves while complying with their ethical responsibilities to their former clients. The first step is to… Read More »
Categories: Criminal Law10 Tips to Adapt to the New Contingency Fee Regime
On July 1, 2021 Ontario’s contingency fees will be subject to significant changes, with amendments to both the Solicitors Act and the Law Society Rules of Professional Conduct coming into force. The changes will affect how contingency fees are calculated and will impact how contingency fee matters are managed from marketing and new client intake… Read More »
Categories: Civil LitigationTips to Manage the Important New Changes to Wills, Powers of Attorney and Succession Law
The government has enacted 4 important changes regarding wills, powers of attorney (POAs) and to the administration of an estate with Bill 245 – Accelerating Access to Justice Act, 2021 which received Royal Assent on April 19, 2021. (See amendments in Schedule 8 – Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 and Schedule 9 – Succession Law Reform… Read More »
Categories: Wills & EstatesNew 60 Day Notice Requirement in Occupiers’ Liability Act (Injury from Snow or Ice) Overview
Bill 118, An Act to amend the Occupiers’ Liability Act, received royal assent on December 8, 2020 and came into force on January 29, 2021. The amendment introduces a new 60-day notice requirement for claims for personal injury caused by snow or ice which, if not met, will bar actions unless an exception applies. The… Read More »
Categories: Civil Litigation, Limitations ClaimsIntroducing the new TitlePLUS: Launching May 17
The new TitlePLUS is launching on May 17 and is better than ever. It’s a one-stop shop to purchasing title insurance that busy legal professionals expect. Within minutes, you can complete an easy online application and receive a user-friendly title insurance policy that automatically includes legal service coverage. Backed by LAWPRO, TitlePLUS is the only… Read More »
Categories: Real Estate, The TitlePLUS Program & Title InsuranceIntroducing the “Small Estates” process as of April 1, 2021
The government of Ontario’s optional simplified process for probating small estates comes into effect on April 1, 2021 and applies to estates with assets of less than $150,000. This will be a welcomed change for lawyers and their clients. New Rule 74.1 of the Rules of Civil Procedure (as found in O.Reg. 111/21) sets out… Read More »
Categories: Wills & EstatesWhat’s in a Name? Everything – Follow Court Naming Protocols To Make Sure You Can E-File Documents
As Ontario Courts increasingly move towards accepting electronic filing, litigants will need to follow the prescribed document naming protocols. While you or your firm may have internal naming protocols, to file, you will need to submit using the Court’s requirements. Note that the Court may reject your filing if you do not comply with the… Read More »
Categories: Civil Litigation