Areas of Law
Family law updates from the Superior Court of Justice and LAWPRO
Family law lawyers – please note the following updates from the Superior Court of Justice: The SCJ’s Binding Judicial Dispute Resolution pilot for family cases is now available in Barrie, Oshawa, Peterborough/Cobourg/Lindsay, Cornwall, Ottawa and both regions in the north. Family lawyers in those regions should consider using it to reach a streamlined disposition of… Read More »
Categories: Family LawFree LAWPRO CPD: Tips for Advocates
This program is for advocates from all areas of practice. Learn from leading advocates from a range of practice areas and from LAWPRO counsel about practice trends and key advocacy tips. Download the program materials PDF. Speakers Click on each speaker’s name to read their bio. Juda Strawczynski, Director, practicePRO, LAWPRO Katie James, Claims Counsel,… Read More »
Categories: Civil LitigationCottages and Rural Properties: Avoid Common Errors that Lead to Title Insurance Claims
Cottages are a Canadian summertime staple. For many, cottage life has become tradition and cottage ownership is a dream come true. Conversely, cottage and rural residential properties generally present the real estate lawyer with some of the most challenging and complex issues of any area of real estate law, and may surprise lawyers who are… Read More »
Categories: Communication Errors, Real EstateHST Now Applies To All Assignments Of New Home / New Condominium Contracts (i.e. flipping)
The 2022 Federal Budget introduced two important changes governing the HST on the Assignment of a New Home and New Condominium Agreement of Purchase and Sale entered into with a builder (“New Home Contract”). 1) All Assignments Of New Home Contracts Are Now Subject To HST, Without Exception This represents an important change, as in… Read More »
Categories: Real EstateToo Quick on the Buzzer: Default Judgment and the Potential Consequences of Engaging in Sharp Practice
Would-be lawyers learn the importance of professionalism and civility as outlined in the Law Society’s Rules of Professional Conduct and The Advocates’ Society Principles of Civility. However, in practice, a grey area can sometimes develop between fiercely advocating for a client and engaging in sharp practice. At LAWPRO, we’ve seen many claims relating to lawyers… Read More »
Categories: Civil Litigation, LAWPRO Errors and Omissions CoverageCommon HST errors in real estate transactions
Determining HST-applicability to real estate transactions can be more complicated than many lawyers assume. What’s more, a lack of clarity and errors can often lead to substantial unforeseen costs for clients. This is a dangerous combination from a claims perspective. This paper discusses the common categories of HST errors and provide tips on how to… Read More »
Categories: Real EstateAmendments to Non-Resident Speculation Tax
On March 29, 2022, the Ontario government announced amendments to the Land Transfer Tax Act which impacts the Non-Resident Speculation Tax. Effective March 30, 2022, the government is: Increasing the Non-Resident Speculation Tax to 20 per cent Expanding the tax to apply province-wide Eliminating the rebates for international students and foreign nationals working in Ontario… Read More »
Categories: Real EstateNew Ontario Court forms that come into force Jan 1st that will impact on wills & estates lawyers
New Ontario Court forms come into force on January 1, 2022. The amended forms, now available on the Ontario Court Forms website, have a simplified format and helpful instructions. Old forms will not be accepted after January 1, 2022, unless the court orders otherwise. The rule and form amendments also include consequential amendments prompted by… Read More »
Categories: Wills & Estates