Posted August 19, 2020 by Jordan Nichols

Consider the following scenario: You act for a plaintiff in a Superior Court matter. On your client’s instructions, you send the opposing counsel an informal email in which you offer to settle the litigation for $100,000. You do not include an expiry date for the offer. The opposing counsel promptly rejects the offer by email… Read More »

Posted August 18, 2020 by LAWPRO

At LAWPRO we often get explanations from insureds as to why they feel their matter is not reportable to LAWPRO. Commonly we hear the following: “There is no claim against me. No one has commenced an action, there is no litigation. So, there is no claim”. This article by Katie James, Claims Counsel at LAWPRO,… Read More »

Posted August 6, 2020 by Raymond G. Leclair

The federal government has passed legislation suspending federal limitation periods from March 13, 2020 to September 13, 2020, or any earlier day fixed by order of the Governor in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister of Justice. The Time Limits and Other Periods Act (COVID-19) was introduced as a Schedule to An Act… Read More »

Posted July 31, 2020 by Raymond G. Leclair

As Ontario continues to respond to COVID-19, the temporary provisions permitting the virtual witnessing of wills and powers of attorney are being wound down. However, the government has introduced new legislation and related regulations to permit the virtual commissioning of oaths or declarations. Remote Virtual Signing of Wills and Powers of Attorney The Reopening Ontario… Read More »

Posted July 22, 2020 by Victoria Crewe-Nelson

Is your real estate practice growing? That’s a good thing. But keep in mind that your risk exposure may be growing along with it. A hot market can mean a higher transaction volume, unconditional offers, and shorter closing times. All of these factors place pressure on lawyers, and can increase the chance of an error… Read More »

Posted July 21, 2020 by Raymond G. Leclair

[NEW revised calculator, please only use the September 24, 2020 version] COVID-19 interrupted the timelines for numerous matters, including many proceedings under the Planning Act. Originally time periods under the Planning Act were suspended based on the general Emergency Period; they were subsequently addressed separately. All time suspensions regarding the Planning Act ceased on June… Read More »

Posted July 16, 2020 by Victoria Crewe-Nelson

Unfortunately, far too many lawyers do not appreciate their full exposure to claims and how excess insurance could be of benefit to them. Excess liability insurance is intended to provide additional limits over that provided by the underlying (primary) liability policy. For lawyers in Ontario, the underlying insurance which all practising lawyers (not on exemption)… Read More »

Posted July 14, 2020 by Victoria Crewe-Nelson

While “law firm” once conjured an image either of a sole practitioner with a small storefront office or a multi-generational law firm with clearly defined partners and associates, many other firm structures now exist as lawyers opt to work from their homes, from virtual offices, and from shared accommodations. The work lawyers choose to do… Read More »