Our Take On Things

A Quick Summary of Commercial Tenancy Distraints

If you are a commercial landlord, then you may have some knowledge of executing a distraint to collect rent owed to you. If you are owed rent monies, then you have the right (unless it’s been removed in the lease) to take the chattels of your tenant and sell them,...

The New Code of Conduct for Lawyers

So, the public might imagine that the Law Society of Upper Canada's release of new Rules of Conduct for lawyers next month is directly tied to the lawyer who was just caught, allegedly improperly disbursing trust money. The public would be wrong. Yesterday the Law...

So you're starting Law School this week

Normally this Blog is about Business Law Topics, well, that and the occasional rant about something one of us in the firm is going on about and needs to share with the rest of the universe. This Blog, however, is addressed to those of you starting Law School this...

The expectation of privacy at work and in work emails

I read a column in the Globe & Mail this week called "Nine to Five". An employee had written in complaining that her boss was in her office, looking through documents, though she had locked the door. The answers no doubt surprised the employee: the boss was within...

The lawyer as Mentor

As a business lawyer, my favourite hat to wear is that of business litigator. I truly enjoy my role in the court room above any other. However, there are many other interesting hats I wear and as I become more senior in the practice, those hats are worn more and more...

The end of Canadian Passport Shopping?

Our federal government has made good on its promise from 2012 to end the days of bogus Canadian citizenship applications. I for one applaud these steps. My parents and my wife’s family immigrated to Canada starting in the 1950’s. They settled in Canada, worked hard,...

The Changes to Small Claims Court in Ontario

Proceeding with an Action in Small Claims has changed as of July 1, 2014. It’s not a big change, but it is a change (honestly, we’re a little disappointed that the changes are not bigger). Prior to July 1, 2014 a defendant who wanted to defend a lawsuit had to file...

30-60-90 Sue®, still applies in the summer

Our firm has a great program to help businesses ensure they get paid promptly - it's a program that regiments when and who you contact on unpaid accounts. Interestingly though, come summer, many businesses suddenly ease up on their payment timelines. Just because...

Vacation Dilemas – to unplug or not to unplug ?

I'm just back from a two week break having enjoyed scuba diving in Ohio (I don't recommend it ... the location, not the diving) and then time up north paddling amongst the loons and other wildlife. As luck would have it, my internet connections were poor to...

Lawyers behaving badly

There are some days it is harder to maintain my cool than others, the humidity in the GTA today makes it harder, but that it not what I'm talking about. Those days are when, generally, young counsel, stoop to name calling, taking positions not supportable by case law...

Registered Mail adds no value to collection demands

I recently read an Article about things businesses can do to collect money. One of the things it suggested was sending a Registered Letter to the person/business who owes you money. I disagree. As a Business Lawyer for 21 years, with a lot of experience in Collection...

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