Articles

Anatomy of a Trial 2024 not only allowed participants to fulfill all of their annual Law Society of Ontario’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours but also equipped them with essential skills for modern trial practice. This year’s theme emphasized the pivotal role that narrative plays in effectively communicating a client’s case to the decision-makers at trial. The enthusiasm generated by Anatomy of a Trial 2024 sets high expectations for next year’s program.

Following are our summaries of the civil decisions of the Court of Appeal for Ontario for the week of November 25, 2024.

On Friday, November 8, 2024, the Supreme Court of Canada (the “SCC”) released two unanimous decisions, Auer v. Auer, 2024 SCC 36 (“Auer”) and TransAlta Generation Partnership v. Alberta, 2024 SCC 37 (“TransAlta”) clarifying the standard of review for judicial review of subordinate legislation, including ministerial regulations. The below article explores how these cases may affect Municipal and Planning Law matters in Ontario.

At a recent OBA Elder Law Section program on representing elderly clients in litigation, participants learned about navigating the complexities of representing elderly clients with a focus in estates, personal injury and employment law. Key takeaways included indicators to watch for when assessing a client’s capacity, tips for addressing frequent concerns or difficulties that can arise and how to address them, and understanding the difference between section 3 counsel and litigation guardians.

Ahead of the December 5, 2024, OBA screening of the smallest steps, director Nicole Bedford discusses her compelling documentary on gender-based violence and activism. In this interview, she shares how personal stories from veteran activists inspired the film, explores the power of small actions to drive change, and reflects on the importance of legal professionals in addressing violence.

Following are this week’s summaries of the Court of Appeal for Ontario for the week of November 18, 2024.

Gavin Fior discusses the Supreme Court of Canada's decision in York Region District School Board v. Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, 2024 SCC 22 and its impact on privacy rights and professional regulation.

The OBA Civil Litigation Section Executive invites your submissions for publication. Build profile and discuss matters of interest with your colleagues at the bar.

Debbie Boswell shares how becoming a mom impacted her approach to practicing law. From redefining career goals and engaging in pro bono work to mastering skills like multitasking, dedication, and creative persuasion, Debbie reflects on the unexpected ways parenting enriched her legal career. Her insights challenge stereotypes about working moms and offer inspiration for new parents to recognize their value and advocate for promotions, raises, or new opportunities at work.

This article reviews Lochan v. Binance Holdings Limited, 2024 ONCA 784, in which the Court of Appeal upheld a motion judge’s decision to dismiss a defendant’s motion to stay a proposed class proceeding in favour of arbitration.