Articles 2023

Gain international legal experience with an overseas organization. Check!

In this interview with ChatGPT, an AI language model trained by OpenAI, we explore the role of AI in Canadian franchise law. ChatGPT tells us what it knows about franchise law and practice. We also discuss the potential benefits and risks of using AI in legal practice, and how lawyers can best utilize ChatGPT. Finally, we get a glimpse of ChatGPT's sense of humour when it's asked to name this article.

In this trial decision, the Court considers whether asking a franchisee to sign a new franchise agreement amounts to a "grant" of a franchise, such that a franchisor cannot rely on the Wishart Act's disclosure exemption provisions. The Court also weighs in on the impact that unsubstantiated fraud, perjury, and collusion allegations, and the needless lengthening of trial time, will have on trial costs.

This trial decision trio of rescission cases provides new insights into the law around disclosure exemptions, the effect of having prospective franchisees sign a "generic" franchise agreement, addresses whether a franchisee can rescind a previously terminated franchise agreement, and discusses the law around franchisor's associates.

We've read and summarized all 864 paragraphs of the Spina v. Shoppers Drug Mart decision so that you don't have to! Learn the four key takeaways that every franchise lawyer should know from one of Canada's longest-running franchise class actions.

On March 3 and 4, 2023, a massive endeavor was undertaken to run the first exclusive Tort Appellate Moot of its kind in the province of Ontario.

An examination of what it means when a contract with a municipality references acting reasonably, and how that can be balanced with municipal discretion, given the obligations and duties of municipalities.

The article examines cannabis regulation in Ontario from a federal, provincial and municipal perspective. The authors offer an interpretation of cases on point and limitations on municipal cannabis regulation powers (such as cultivation, production, and retail). This article may be of interest to legal representatives of municipalities and cannabis operators.