From the Blog
Local legal guides, one city at a time - the rules, courts, and processes that actually differ from Toronto to Vancouver to Montreal.
Toronto's Municipal Land Transfer Tax: What First-Time Buyers Actually Pay
Toronto is the only city in Ontario that charges its own land transfer tax on top of the province's. Here's what that means at closing, and what the first-time buyer rebates actually cover.
Family Law in Two Languages: What Bilingual Court Services in Ottawa Mean for Your Case
Ontario's Courts of Justice Act gives every party the right to bilingual proceedings, but Ottawa is where that right is easiest to actually exercise. Here's why that matters for a family law matter.
Impaired Driving Charges in Hamilton: Why the Courthouse You're Assigned to Matters
An impaired driving charge in Hamilton is heard at the John Sopinka Courthouse, and the local Crown's office has its own practices around resolution discussions. What that means for how the case actually unfolds.
Commercial Lease Disputes in Mississauga's Business Parks: What to Nail Down Before You Sign
Mississauga's Airport Corporate Centre and Meadowvale business parks put a lot of companies under long commercial leases with complex clauses. The disputes that end up in litigation usually trace back to one of a few recurring gaps.
Immigrating Through Quebec: Why the Provincial Selection Process Works Differently
Quebec selects its own economic immigrants under a decades-old accord with the federal government, running mostly separately from the Express Entry system used in the rest of Canada. What that means if Montreal is the destination.
Succession Under Quebec's Civil Code: Why Estate Planning Looks Different Here
Quebec is the only province governed by a civil code rather than common law, and succession planning follows a different path here - notarial wills, a distinct spousal property regime, and terminology the rest of Canada doesn't use.
ICBC and Personal Injury Claims in Vancouver: What No-Fault Insurance Actually Changed
BC's 2021 shift to the Enhanced Care model changed who can sue after a crash and for what. Here's what actually changed for a Vancouver driver, and what didn't.
Buying Presale in Surrey: What a Real Estate Lawyer Actually Reviews Before You Close
Surrey's presale condo market runs on disclosure statements and assignment clauses most buyers never read closely. What actually gets checked before a presale closing, and why the assignment clause matters most.