BREAKING NEWS: Former SCC Chief Justice McLachlin’s departure from HK court after extending Singapore court tenure speaks volumes
By Julius Melnitzer | June 19, 2024 Former Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin has resigned from Hong Kong’s final court of appeal. She cited her desire to spend more time with her family as the reason for her departure. But all signs point to the fact that her resignation was prompted at […]
Bare Bones Briefs: check out our must-read legal snippets
January 27, 2021 | By Julius Melnitzer ONTARIO CIVIL JURY TRIALS ENDANGERED DURING COVID? Court of Appeal reverses Divisional Court’s “wait-and-see” approach, restores trial judge’s decision to strike jury notice: Louis v. Poitras; Divisional Court: “wait-and-see” before striking jury notice during COVID; COVID-19 puts courts, integrity of Ontario’s civil jury system on trial. KOSHER, HALAL […]
McMillan bulks up competition group with Joshua Krane
Tuesday, October 6, 2020 | By Julius Melnitzer Competition lawyer Joshua Krane has joined McMillan LLP as a partner in the Toronto office. Recognized as a future leader by Who’s Who Legal, Krane advices on pricing, marketing and contracting practices. He counsels clients on relationship management with customers, suppliers and other market participants. Krane has […]
BLG appoints new partnership board chair
September 24, 2020 | By Julius Melnitzer Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG) has appointed Shelley-Mae Mitchell as chair of its partnership board. Mitchell is the second woman in five years in the position. The board provides direction, oversight and governance for the firm. Mitchell is a Vancouver-based, Chambers Canada-recognized labour and employment lawyer. She’s been […]
IIROC publishes best practices for electronic proceedings
September 16, 2020 | By Julius Melnitzer The Investment Industry Regulatory Association of Canada has published its Best Practices for Electronic Proceedings. COVID-19 saw the IIROC postpone in-person hearings or convert them into virtual hearings. The guidelines are aimed at extending greater access, and enhancing transparency and confidence in the system. “We anticipate that virtual […]
UK court resolves COVID business interruption uncertainty
September 15, 2020 | By Julius Melnitzer A UK High Court decision has relieved uncertainties about insurance coverage for COVID-19 losses. The decision is not binding on Canadian courts. But it may provide considerable guidance here, where the situation has been no less uncertain. That’s because the court reviewed 21 different types of wording in […]
Litigation funders launch $10 billion worldwide group
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 | By Julius Melnitzer Twelve litigation and arbitration funders with $10 billion to spend have launched a global association, the International Legal Finance Association (ILFA). The ILFA was incorporated in Washington, D.C. and has a significant presence in London. It bills itself as “the global voice” of the industry, which it […]
Networking opportunity for arbitration practitioners
Thursday, September 10, 2020 | By Julius Melnitzer CanArbWeek 2020, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and the Young Canadian Arbitration Practitioners are hosting Tour d ‘Horizon, a global virtual tour of legal developments on international arbitration. The event will take place on Thursday, September 17. 2020 at 3:30 PM EST. It will feature a panel […]
Canadian lawyer weighs in on Trump’s Twitter tweets
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 | Julius Melnitzer Trump, Twitter & The Law is something of an oddity: a book about The Donald by a Canadian. Sheldon Burshtein, partner emeritus with Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP in Toronto, tells the story of Trump’s profound impact on the U.S. He does it through the eyes of a […]
SCC to rule on Anti-Slapp legislation
Sunday, September 6, 2020 | Julius Melnitzer On Thursday, September 10, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) will issue its decisions in two Anti-Slapp legislation cases from Ontario. One of the judgments involves Maia Bent, a partner with Lerners LLP in Toronto. She allegedly defamed an expert witness in an email she issued in her […]