Articles 2021

An interview with The Honourable Doug Downey, Attorney General of Ontario. The Attorney General discusses the efforts at court modernization spurred by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the future of Ontario's Justice System.

Farhad Shekib speaks to Mark Ross, co-founder of Ross Nasseri LLP, on his tips for lawyers deciding to go out on their own. Mark's admonition to not take oneself too seriously in the process is a good one.

Cameron Fiske, partner at Milosevic Fiske LLP, provides a nuts-and-bolts checklist of issues for practitioners contemplating going out on their own. Cameron's advice is practical, detailed and unvarnished. Going out on one's own is not for the faint of heart. But with planning and determination, it can be a rewarding career path.

Gary Luftspring and Andrea Sanche, partners at Ricketts Harris LLP, who recently conducted a lengthy Zoom trial on the Commercial List, share their experience and tips with Rachel Migicovsky. Gary's observation that in the push toward virtual hearings and efficiency, we are mindful to build in some space for inefficiency, is an important one.

Please find below our summaries of the civil decisions of the Court of Appeal for Ontario for the week of March 1 to 5, 2021.

While it is understood that drastic measures must be taken to reduce the risk of COVID-19 to residents across Ontario, especially those living in congregate care settings, this does not give the government carte blanche authority to restrict the liberty of Ontario’s citizens. Any restrictions must be carefully drafted and made in accordance with the rule of law.

A look at providing legal services to Canada's increasingly diverse population.

If COVID-19 overwhelms hospital resources, should the Ontario government consider a recommendation for an Executive Order to temporarily suspend the law requiring doctors to obtain consent of patients or families before withdrawing a life-sustaining treatment?

A feature unique to class actions is that class members are not always happy with settlements. Occasionally, class members object to settlements but judges approve them anyway. Is there recourse for class members when this situation arises? Alberta Court of Appeal ruled in Macaronies Hair Club and Laser Center Inc. v Bank of Montreal that unhappy class members have no right to appeal a settlement order and have no other recourse.

Novel claims present a significant challenge for courts in the context of interlocutory proceedings such as motions to strike or amend pleadings, or to certify class proceedings. In Atlantic Lottery Corp. Inc. v. Babstock, the Supreme Court of Canada provided welcome guidance on how courts should approach motions to strike pleadings of novel causes of action. Notably, the Court held that a plaintiff’s claim will not survive a motion to strike simply because it is novel.