Articles 2021

Of the numerous existing and potential blockchain applications, the most advanced and promising one remains smart contracts. However, as blockchain technology becomes more widespread, important legal concerns with respect to cybersecurity, privacy, and contract law have come to light. This article discusses these concerns and implications.

Brand owners take note: key changes to the Trademarks Act will affect your filing and renewal strategy.

The Ontario Business Corporations Act requires corporations to maintain an updated register of the corporation’s ownership interest in land in Ontario at its registered office. This article discusses the information that must be identified in the register and possible penalties of non-compliance with this requirement.

In the recent decision of CP Food & Beverage, Inc. v. United States Fire Insurance Company, the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada held that coverage was not available under a crime policy where the insured’s employees had defrauded the insured’s customers through misuse of customer credit cards. 

Tax litigator Sébastien Budd shares his experience on how AI technology sharpens his practice.

Telecom, internet service providers and digital businesses take note: CRTC's new guidance expands liability under Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation for a number of digital product or service provider intermediaries.

PBGF changes, Member Disclosure, FSCO Guidance on Excess Contributions, Benefit Improvements, and the Meaning of a “Closed Plan”, JSPP Amendments, Proposed FSRA Budget and Priorities and Follow-up on FRSA Consultation on Fees and Assessments, CAPSA Guidelines Released.

Topics covered this week included the limitation period for enforcing foreign judgments (the later of the two years from the expiry of the appeal period from the foreign judgment and when the plaintiff knew or ought to have known that there were assets in Ontario against which the plaintiff could enforce its judgment), and striking pleadings as an abuse of process (attempt to re-litigate).

Half-Term Report from Pia Hundal, chair of the Trusts and Estates Law Section Executive, on recent work by the executive including Make a Will Month, response to Re Milne Estate, submissions to the Attorney General regarding proposed legislation on Electronic Beneficiary Designations, Brown Bag Lunches and a breadth of continuing professional development programs.

In 2018, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre cited romance scams as the top reported scams based on total dollar loss. Elderly persons are particularly susceptible to these types of scams. Unfortunately, the late Robert Hogg fell victim to a romance scam, which was not discovered until after his death.