The Complete Brief
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June 23, 2025
Appeal court sets aside substantial costs ordered in Nigerian oil and gas case
In litigation involving a failed oil and gas bid, the Ontario Court of Appeal has allowed a Nigerian company’s appeal finding the judge erred in the interpretation of contract agreements and in giving a substantial award for defamation to the respondent.
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June 24, 2025
Moncton mental health, addiction court program to start next year
New Brunswick will be opening a new addiction and mental health criminal court program in the city of Moncton next year — but it will be available only to those facing less serous charges.
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June 24, 2025
Passion and the practice of family law
This week I had the pleasure of attending a Toronto Lawyers Association event. It was a lovely evening. I had to leave early for another social event but while there I certainly noticed that I was clearly the oldest attendee. That fact must have been noticed by others as, a number of times that evening, I was approached and asked to comment on what qualities I believed are necessary to make one a good family lawyer. Happily, this is an issue that consumed a fair bit of my time during my tenure (now over, thank G-d) as managing partner of our firm.
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June 24, 2025
COOPERATIVES - Operation of enterprise at cost - Financial disclosure
Appeal by appellant against a decision granting partial summary judgment in favour of respondent. The respondent, Calgary Co-operative Assn. Ltd., sourced groceries and fuel from the appellant, Federated Co-operatives Ltd., for over 60 years.
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June 24, 2025
Australian law encompasses best interests for all concerned in pet custody cases
We live in multi-species families with humans and non-human animals co-existing. Companion animals are considered family members by most people, and fortunately legislation in various parts of the world is starting to recognize this fact.
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June 24, 2025
Mandatory charging: Has its time come and gone?
In the mid-1980s, mandatory charging policies came into effect across Canada. They directed police to lay charges whenever they believed there were “reasonable and probable grounds” to do so. Put another way, police were expected to lay charges where they believed the evidence was likely to lead to a guilty verdict.
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June 23, 2025
Ontario Court of Appeal slashes $700K costs award in rental dispute due to ‘chilling effect’
The Ontario Court of Appeal has significantly cut a costs award in a hard-fought landlord-tenant dispute on Toronto’s tony “Mink Mile,” finding the legal fees were “concerning” and the motion judge’s high tally could contribute to a chilling effect on litigation.
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June 23, 2025
Canada builds new, strengthened partnership with the European Union
Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a “new, ambitious and comprehensive partnership” with the European Union, emphasizing “increased co-operation in defence, trade and commerce.”
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June 23, 2025
B.C. Court of Appeal rejects Quebec firms’ bid to stay opioid class action
The B.C. Court of Appeal has denied two Quebec companies’ bid to suspend their involvement in British Columbia’s landmark opioid class action, rejecting arguments that their language rights justified a stay pending their jurisdictional appeal.
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June 23, 2025
Journalism and AI: A cautionary tale
Generative AI, or genAI — arguably one of the fastest-growing technologies at the moment — is everywhere: in the workplace and in one’s private life. And one need not look too far to find it. Run a quick Internet search, for example, and notice the AI-generated summary at the top of the page. Watch a video online, for example, and notice an ad midstream featuring an AI-generated persona trying to sell something.