Deadbeat

In Rovi Guides, Inc. v. Bell Canada, 2022 FC 1388, Justice Lafrenière adjudicated a trial involving the infringement and invalidity of four patents relating to interactive television programming guides—the kind of technological features that many of us rely on to enhance our television viewing. However, this decision may have dramatic effects on the prosecution of patents before the patent office.

In the case of Jonas v Jonas, the Ontario Court of Appeal considered the proper interpretation of a Will’s residue clause. Jennifer Corak reviews the decision, including the trial judge’s application of the “armchair rule” in light of the ambiguity of the clause in question.

The Trusts and Estates Law Section’s Public Affairs Liaisons, Krystyne Rusek and Angelique Moss, provide an informative update on current and upcoming legislative changes and public affairs issues.

The February Brown Bag Lunch meeting saw OBA members gather to discuss interesting topics such as when a joint account should be considered an estate asset, and how to deal with a client whose deceased parent was living a “double life”. Members also received an update on the OBA’s response to recent developments in the LSO’s Access to Innovation Project.

In January, members of the OBA Trusts and Estates Section met for the monthly Brown Bag Lunch. As always, BBLers had a lively discussion addressing a variety of topics and questions about members’ practices, with practitioners always willing to share their thoughts and experiences.

At the December Brown Bag Lunch meeting, OBA members gathered to discuss interesting practice questions, including participants’ views on mutual Will agreements, and the Court’s recent treatment of affidavits in support of a request to dispense with a bond.

As of January 30, 2023 a lawyer's certificate of service may be used as an alternate method of proof of service where service was effected by, or caused to be effected by the lawyer.

A proper estate plan is just as important for Millennial and Gen Z individuals as it is for older generations. However, Millennial and Gen Z clients may have unique estate planning considerations, including non-traditional assets such as cryptocurrency or collections. Some aspects of an individual’s relationships or sexuality may also require special attention in creating an estate plan. Demetre Vasilounis reviews some of these factors as discussed at a recent CPD program.

In this first of a series of interviews with our colleagues in the estates bar, we are getting to know a bit more about Doreen So, an estate litigator and partner at Hull & Hull LLP.

The Ontario Estates Bench-Bar Liaison Committee held their regularly scheduled quarterly meeting in October 2022. At this meeting, committee members considered various issues, including the next steps towards drafting a consolidated provincial practice direction for estates, possible amendments to the estates forms, and processing times for over-the-counter motions and applications for a certificate of appointment of estate trustee.