A Will, also known as a “Last Will and Testament” is a written, legal document prepared and signed by a person – called a testator if male, or testatrix if female – stating what happens to their property, and who manages it, upon their death. The person managing the property is called the executor if … Read more
The list is endless. Perhaps the most common is from a car accident. Of course, there are numerous other motorized vehicles speeding around that get into accidents, either on their own, through the negligence of their driver, or the negligence of a driver in another such vehicle: trucks, motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles, to name a few. … Read more
Well, you have undoubtedly seen the ads! Personal injury lawyers are, by far, the ones who advertise the most. Just have a look at the overwhelming array and number of billboards as you cruise though the USA. The reins have been loosened on Canadian lawyers in recent years, allowing them to advertise their services much … Read more
This question is often posed: “We aren’t living together anymore; are we legally separated?” Well, there is no such thing as being illegally separated! “Living separate and apart” does have certain legal connotations in Canadian law. Interestingly, it is possible, and legally recognized, in certain cases, to be “living separate and apart” under the same … Read more
No. But most people use the terms interchangeably, without knowing the difference, and that includes employers. In fact, to allegedly soften the blow, some employers even tell their employees that they are being laid off, perhaps thinking that this phrase is less harsh than hearing, as Trump used to say: “you’re fired”. Under Ontario law, … Read more
Employment lawyers fall into two broad categories: those who represent employers, and those who represent employees. If employees in the workplace are members of a union, the lawyers involved on either side practice in the related, but distinct, area of labour law. The rights and obligations of employees and employers in that context will be … Read more
As stated elsewhere, civil litigation involves someone suing someone else for anything. It is the legal process that most people think of when the word “lawsuit” is used. In broad strokes, the majority of civil claims can be broken down into two categories: contract, and tort. Contract claims flow from the allegation that one party … Read more
In our legal system, there are only two courts: the criminal court, and the civil court. Most people have a pretty good idea what criminal court is. The police charge a citizen with a crime; the accused person hires a defence lawyer; the crown attorney prosecutes; the judge (or judge and jury) decides if the … Read more
Let’s say you are the typical Canadian family of four; both spouses work, but one – usually the husband (but not always) – is the main breadwinner; the wife works full time, but her income is not as high, since she took mat leave, and some further time off when the two kids were infants. … Read more
Just got fired? Your boss, and possibly an HR rep have just handed you a letter of termination that you didn’t see coming, no reasons given; they have offered you a severance package, and said you have only 2 days, or 1 week, or some other very short time period in which to accept it, … Read more