By Julius Melnitzer | March 30, 2023
BLG’s Pratte launches Art of Persuasion podcast
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP’s Guy Pratte, one of Canada’s top litigators will launch The Art of Persuasion, his new podcast, on April 21. The podcast will feature conversations with notable Canadians including former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, defence counsel Marie Henein, and actor Colm Feore.
Related Article: Bare Bones Briefs: BLG to manage Ivanhoé Cambridge leasing legal services
BJ’s Will Osler heads up Calgary Stampede
Bennett Jones LLP’s Will Osler has been elected president and chair of the Calgary Stampede. An active volunteer for almost 30 years, Osler joined the board in 2014. His priorities will be building on the momentum from a successful Stampede in 2022, and opening the half-billion dollar expansion of the BMO Centre in 2024, turning Calgary into a tier one convention city.
Related Story: Bennett Jones provides scholarships for Indigenous, Black and first-generation law students
WILL SCC RESOLVE CONTROVERSY OVER DOMESTIC ARBITRATIONS’ APPEALABILITY?
Although the test for overturning an international arbitration award is fairly settled, the same is not true of domestic awards.
“Under existing Supreme Court of Canada jurisprudence, appeals are permitted only on ‘questions of law’ or on ‘questions of mixed fact and law’ where there is an ‘extricable error of law’,” says Barry Leon, a member arbitrator and mediator at Toronto’s Arbitration Place who is a former judge of the commercial division of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, and has co-authored an article on the subject. “But the British Columbia Court of Appeal has been taking an expansive approach to what is an extricable error of law and the Court of Appeal for Ontario has been taking a narrow approach.”
There are currently two applications for leave to appeal on this issue: Escape 101 Ventures Inc. v. March of Dimes Canada from BC; and Tall Ships Landing Development Inc. v. Brockville (City) from Ontario.
“The SCC should avail itself of an opportunity to resolve this split,” says Leon.
Related Article: Bare Bones Briefs – SCC to decide whether receivers can disclaim arbitration agreements
NEW ELECTRONIC FILING PORTAL AT SCC
On January 30, the SCC launched its new electronic filing portal, whose use is mandatory for all filings except than sealed documents or those subject to a confidentiality order. Users can upload multiple documents, and the court will add additional functions over time.
Related Story: Justice and the pandemic – pushing for modernization
WILDEBOER CELEBRATES THREE DECADES
Toronto-based Wildeboer Dellelce LLP celebrated its 30th anniversary on February 1. The firm offers expertise in corporate finance, securities, M&A, corporate governance, corporate commercial law, debt, asset management and investment funds, commercial real estate and tax.
Related Story: Bare Bones Briefs – Dellelce family donates $5 million to University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law
Julius Melnitzer is a Toronto-based legal affairs writer, ghostwriter, writing coach and media trainer. Readers can reach him at [email protected] or https://legalwriter.net/contact.