Unionized workers are fighting back in tough economic times

/ Employment/Labour /

By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • Economic uncertainty and inflationary pressures appear to be leading more unionized employees to flex their bargaining muscles to push back against their employers, says Toronto employment lawyer Jeffrey M. Andrew. Andrew, a partner with Cavalluzzo LLP, says while the hours of work lost to strikes do not approach levels seen in […]

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LAT conflict of interest concerns need to be addressed

/ Personal Injury /

By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • A disturbing narrative is circulating involving Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT) adjudicators who have allegedly rendered insurance-friendly decisions and then accepted offers of employment from insurance companies.  In one case, the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) has alleged that an adjudicator rendered numerous decisions in favour of a specific insurer

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After a divorce, it can be difficult to balance work and parenting

/ Family Law /

By LegalMatters Staff • The parenting plan you and your ex reach after a divorce or separation will set out your rights and responsibilities. But a complicating factor can be your job, since meeting the obligations of your workplace may interfere with the time you spend at home. It is often difficult to strike the

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Appeal court finds new tort of family violence is unnecessary

/ Family Law /

By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • The Ontario Court of Appeal (ONCA) reached the right conclusion in rejecting the creation of a new tort of family violence, says Toronto family lawyer A. Julia P. Tremain. In Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia, the court struck down a landmark Superior Court decision that created the tort. “The OCNA did a thorough examination of

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Technology advances bring new workplace challenges

/ Employment/Labour /

By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • As technological advances continue to reshape the workplace, employers and employees need to be careful to protect their rights and ensure they are accountable while meeting their obligations, says Toronto employment lawyer Ellen Low. With innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI) progressing exponentially in recent years, she says workers and

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Another attempt to ban spanking winds its way through Parliament

/ Criminal Law /

By LegalMatters Staff • A bill has been sent to the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs that would repeal s.43 of the Criminal Code, which allows the spanking of children. That section reads: “Every school teacher, parent or person standing in the place of a parent is justified in using force by way

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TLA has educational programs for new starts, experienced lawyers

/ Legal Services /

By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • The Toronto Lawyers Association (TLA) is offering a slate of educational sessions designed to appeal to those starting off in the profession as well as lawyers looking to expand their skillsets, says executive director/library director Joan Rataic-Lang. “There are returning programs and new ones that are sure to fill up quickly,” she

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Parenting arrangements must put the best interests of the child first

/ Family Law /

By LegalMatters Staff • When a marriage breaks down and the parents cannot reach an agreement on parenting arrangements, the dispute will be settled either through mediation or by a family court judge. Under the law, all parents have moral and legal obligations relating to their children. Unless the court or the parents have decided

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Paralegal brings unique provincial court experience to law firm

/ Regulatory Law /

By Paul Russell, LegalMatters Staff • For the past two decades, paralegal Jenna Little litigated provincial offences at the Ontario Court of Justice. That allowed her to develop an impressive skill set encompassing various areas of law including constitutional applications, federal contraventions and provincial offences appeals. She recently embarked on a fresh endeavour as a

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Future injustices may be prevented by wrongful conviction registry

/ Criminal Law /

By LegalMatters Staff • A fundamental principle of the Canadian justice system is that someone can only be found guilty of a crime if the Crown prosecutor has proven the elements of the offence beyond a reasonable doubt. If not, the accused must be acquitted. Yet wrongful convictions do happen, as David Milgaard’s family knows.

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