How many lawyers does it take to change a light bulb?
Q: How many lawyers does it take to change a light bulb? A: Whereas the party of the first part, also known as “Lawyer”, and the party of the second part, also known as “Light…
October 2011
Trigger-Happy Plaintiff Feels the Blowback for Initiating Legal Action
A recent decision by the Supreme Court of British Columbia in relation to a costs application provides a cautionary tale for eager plaintiffs that hope to use the courtroom to wage their own private war…
Update on SLAPPs
In response to last week’s post on the report of the Advisory Panel to the Attorney General on strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPP), one relevant case was brought to my attention. On July 20,…
The Bloody Vibrator Suit
The title says it all.  SF Weekly: A Northern California woman is suing Pipedream Products, which manufactures sex toys, claiming her experience with her dildo was anything but pleasurable. According to the claim filed in Yreka, …
Occupy Bay Street’s Open Letter to Toronto Police
Given the backdrop of the G20 in Toronto, this is worth sharing: To Chief Bill Blair and the Toronto Police Service: In June, 2010 at the G20 summit Toronto saw the largest mass arrests…
Renewing the Debate on Anti-SLAPP Legislation in Ontario
October 28th of this month will mark the one year anniversary of the publication of the Anti-SLAPP Panel’s Report to the Attorney General on anti-SLAPP legislation. Since then, the chatter on the issue of strategic…
A proposal to resolve the articling crisis
There is an articling crisis in Ontario. Many students enticed to law schools by the prospect of being a lawyer, can’t overcome the final hurdle because they can’t find an articling job. Ten months of…
Safe injection facilities and arbitrary government decisions
I often talk to friends or strangers about law. I remember a debate I had with someone once about the government. Can it make arbitrary decisions? I said yes, and he said, rather indignantly, no….