Areas of Law
Undertakings 101: Manage your risk
There is often some confusion around the purpose of undertakings and how they should be structured. Be the lawyer who solves closing problems without taking on risks. Undertakings are essential elements in real estate transactions. They are commonly given by one party to another to avoid delays in closings, or as a courtesy to the… Read More »
Categories: Real Estate21 Recommendations in Justice Bonkalo’s final report on improving access to justice for families in Ontario
The following is a Bulletin released March 6, 2017 from the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General Ontario is helping families by making it easier for them to navigate family courts and access the legal assistance they need. Last year, Ontario and the Law Society of Upper Canada asked the Honourable Annemarie E. Bonkalo to… Read More »
Categories: Family LawThe future of law: Why the real estate lawyer is the quarterback of the real estate deal
On June 22, 2016, surrounded by family and colleagues, Kathleen Waters was honoured with the 2016 Ontario Bar Association’s Award of Excellence in Real Estate. Her remarks included comments on the lawyer as quarterback and advice on moving successfully into the digital future. “I’m a passionate believer in the role of the lawyer as defender… Read More »
Categories: Real Estate, The TitlePLUS Program & Title InsuranceInformed, documented plea instructions protect you from claims
Though the rate of malpractice claims flowing from criminal cases is lower than in other areas of law, the number of claims in this area is on the rise of late, and for many of the same reasons we see in other areas. The most important cause? Issues with lawyer-client communication. An area of particular… Read More »
Categories: Criminal LawWhen preparing wills, don’t dispense with formalities – execution matters
Will-drafting is an area of legal practice that demands extremely careful attention to detail. Decisions in this area make it clear that even where a will is well-drafted and is consistent with the testator’s known intentions, failure to have the will executed in accordance with the applicable legal formalities will render it invalid. When that… Read More »
Categories: Wills & EstatesSix things LAWPRO hates to see in a real estate transaction
When I talk about the disturbing escalation we have seen in claims costs in the past few years, I am often asked why real estate claims are so prominent, and what can be done to get these claims under control. Besides the usual advice about careful review of transaction details, effective and regular lawyer-client communication,… Read More »
Categories: Real EstateWhat do title insurers expect from lawyers?
Still relatively new in Canada, title insurance is not fully understood by many consumers. Even certain less-sophisticated lenders lack detailed knowledge of the product. The responsibility for explaining title insurance to those who purchase it – and for supporting insureds in obtaining coverage that suits their needs – falls squarely on lawyers’ shoulders. Lawyers are… Read More »
Categories: Real Estate, The TitlePLUS Program & Title InsuranceFriday, December 2, 2016 is the deadline to file a consent timetable and draft order to prevent a dismissal under Rule 48.14 of pre-2012 matters
LAWPRO reminds Ontario lawyers that Friday, December 2, 2016 is the deadline to file a consent timetable and draft order to prevent a dismissal under Rule 48.14 of pre-2012 matters. See below for more details. Answers to common Rule 48.14 questions In a case decided last week, Daniels v. Grizzell, 2016 ONSC 7351, Associate Chief Justice… Read More »
Categories: Civil Litigation, Limitations Claims