The Complete Brief
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August 06, 2025
‘Time is of the essence’ clauses don’t apply to indefinite time limits, court rules
The Newfoundland and Labrador Court of Appeal has clarified that “time is of the essence” (TOE) clauses do not apply to contractual obligations with indefinite or open-ended time frames, such as those requiring action using “commercially reasonable efforts.”
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August 06, 2025
Alberta introduces new rules to crack down on predatory behaviour by tow truck operators
Alberta’s government has introduced new rules to crack down on predatory tow trucking practices. The measures are aimed at bad actors who use high-pressure tactics to coerce drivers at collision scenes. Previously, the province had no specific penalties to address this behaviour, which includes towing vehicles without consent, not providing necessary information to vehicle owners and exploiting emotionally vulnerable individuals who have been involved in a collision.
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August 06, 2025
Agentic AI in law: Navigating the evolution of artificial intelligence
AI agents are driving the next stage in the evolution of artificial intelligence. Agentic AI is a large language model (LLM) that interacts with external systems such as web browsers, databases, emails and calendars, commonly referred to as “tools.” AI agents use tools to execute tasks to pursue user-defined goals. These systems can make decisions and take autonomous actions.
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August 06, 2025
Quebec appeal court rejects constitutional challenge over kafala
A constitutional challenge against federal and Quebec regulations that allow Canadian residents to sponsor a child for family reunification only if the child is their biological or adoptive child was rebuffed by the Quebec Court of Appeal in a ruling that underlines the challenges facing Canadian citizens or residents of Muslim faith who want to sponsor a child though kafala, a form of legal guardianship in Muslim law countries.
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August 06, 2025
Ontario Court of Appeal divided over conditional sentence in sexual assault case
Ontario’s top court has upheld a conditional sentence for a man convicted of sexual assault, but one of the judges sitting on the case has written a long dissent saying the sentence was inappropriate.
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August 06, 2025
WILDLIFE
Appeal by the Lazy Bear of an order of a Court of King’s Bench motion judge (the motion judge) dismissing Lazy Bear’s motion for urgent interlocutory relief.
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August 06, 2025
Loopstra Nixon expands labour team with three new hires
Loopstra Nixon LLP has announced that Matthew Vella, Caroline DeBruin and Michael Lee have joined the firm’s employment and labour group in Toronto.
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August 06, 2025
Justice Patrick Murray retires from N.S. Supreme Court
The Honourable Patrick J. Murray has retired from the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia after 15 years on the bench.
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August 06, 2025
Entering the U.S.: How it has changed
The process of entering the United States has undergone significant changes in 2025, shaped by executive orders, immigration enforcement priorities and a shifting national security agenda. Changes include heightened visa scrutiny, expanded travel restrictions and limitations, rising visa fees and updated entry regulations.
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August 06, 2025
Mitigating human rights risks in hiring and firing: A practical guide for employers
Hiring and termination are the two most consequential moments in the employee life cycle. These actions not only impact workplace culture and morale but can also carry significant legal liability for employers, particularly under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Too often, employers encounter human rights complaints not because of deliberate wrongdoing, but because of rushed decisions or a lack of understanding of legal requirements.