Articles 2020

In January, OBA Trusts and Estates Law Section members gathered for the first Brown Bag Lunch of 2022. Discussion topics included recent updates and lively debates about whether and when to provide a copy of a Will to a disinherited individual, and an estate trustee's obligation to defend a dependant's support claim.

Although it is rare that a matter actually proceeds to trial, it is important for counsel to feel comfortable with conducting one. In this fifth session of the OBA series about Will challenges, panelists shared tips and best practices in preparing witnesses, strategizing for cross-examination, and costs. Charlotte Hobson provides a summary of the program and shares her thoughts.

At the final Brown Bag Lunch of 2021, members of the Trusts and Estates Section gathered to discuss a variety of fascinating topics. Attendees shared recent updates to the law and interesting Court decisions, and had an interesting discussion about how patents and royalties are dealt with upon the death of the holder.

At the December meeting of the Estates List Users Committee, members discussed several important topics, including an update on the Estates Court, new scheduling procedures, and over the counter orders. Going forward, the ELUC will have a different format and will extend to the entire province of Ontario, instead of just Toronto.

Navigating appeals to the Court of Appeal for Ontario (ONCA) can be a challenge for any lawyer. New lawyers navigating their first appeal to the ONCA are probably doubly stressed, particularly if they are working alone, and especially where the appeal is complicated by a motion to quash. In this article, Nancy Sarmento offers a fantastic ensemble of gems from the gurus of appellate advocacy.

Legal services are out of reach for many Canadians. Research shows that Canadians do not seek advice for more than 80% of their legal issues. With the ever-present intersection between technology and legal services, and the goal of improving access to justice, the Law Society of Ontario has joined legal regulators both throughout Canada and abroad in adopting its own “regulatory sandbox”.

Bridal designer Hayley Paige Gutman, known for her opulent gowns and booming social media presence, has been in an intense legal battle for the past two years with her former employer JLM Couture, Inc. On January 25, 2022, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit released its decision with respect to the most recent appeal from the designer.

In November of 2021, the Federal Court was tasked with further defining the scope of patent agent privilege. While amendments to the Patent Act pertaining to patent agent privilege came into force in 2016, the interpretation of this section was only recently discussed by the court in Case Management Judge Trent Horne’s decision in Janssen Inc et al v Sandoz Canada Inc, 2021 FC 1265.