Pulse
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March 10, 2025
New judges appointed to Federal Court
Darren Thorne and Andrew J. Brouwer have been appointed to the Federal Court, announced Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Arif Virani. Justice Thorne replaces Justice H.S. Brown, who became a supernumerary judge on June 15, 2024, and Justice Brouwer replaces Justice M.D. Manson, who became a supernumerary judge as of Feb. 18.
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March 10, 2025
B.C. consumer protection bill will have an effect on contract law practice, lawyers say
B.C.’s government is proposing changes to its consumer protection legislation aimed at cracking down on predatory sales and ensuring people are better protected when making purchases, with legal observers saying if the legislation passes as proposed it will have a significant effect on business — and the legal professionals that help them in interpreting their contracts.
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March 10, 2025
Two judicial appointments made to B.C. courts
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Arif Virani has announced that Justice Heather MacNaughton has been appointed to the Court of Appeal for British Columbia in Vancouver as a Justice of Appeal, while Justice Julia E. Lawn has been appointed to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in Vancouver as a judge. The appointments are effective as of Jan. 1 and March 7, respectively.
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March 10, 2025
Mutual recognition of law licences: A step toward greater access to justice? | Daniel J. Escott
Canada’s first ministers have made a strong commitment to eliminating internal trade barriers, including the mutual recognition of professional credentials across provinces. While this effort is largely driven by economic concerns, including the need to strengthen domestic trade in the face of U.S. tariffs, the proposal raises fundamental questions for the self-regulated-by-jurisdiction legal profession. Specifically, should Canada’s lawyers be able to practice freely across provincial boundaries? And if so, how would this affect the longstanding principle of self-regulation by law societies? Furthermore, how would such a reform impact access to justice for Canadians, particularly those in underserved regions?
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March 06, 2025
Split SCC strikes down 3rd-party political ad spending limits for breaching Charter right to vote
In what winning counsel call a “landmark” judgment that bolsters democracy, the Supreme Court of Canada has divided 5-4 to strike down an Ontario provision that imposed spending limits on third-party political advertising for a full year before any provincial election period.
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March 07, 2025
Tipping points | Marcel Strigberger
Thank you. Thank you very much. But how often do we experience gratitude from our clients? Actually sometimes they do make your day.
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March 07, 2025
Miller Thomson LLP welcomes new partner
Miller Thomson LLP has announced that Daniel Mahler has joined the firm as a partner and co-leader of the National Real Estate Transactions and Leasing Group.
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March 07, 2025
Fogler, Rubinoff elects new chair, managing partner
Fogler, Rubinoff LLP has announced that Eric Roblin has been elected as chair of the firm and Leneo Sdao as the firm’s new managing partner, effective March 1, 2025.
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March 07, 2025
Addressing the risks in trade finance and regulation of money laundering
Trade finance plays a crucial role in facilitating international commerce, enabling businesses to mitigate risks and optimize cash flow. However, the trade finance sector is not without its vulnerabilities. It presents unique challenges related to money laundering, as criminals can exploit complex international supply chains to obscure illicit activities. This article explores the risks associated with trade finance, the evolving regulatory landscape aimed at combating money laundering, and best practices for stakeholders in this critical sector.
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March 07, 2025
Disturbing events at the Law Society of Ontario | Gary Joseph
Am I the only one who is bothered by recent events at the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) leading this week to the announcement that CEO Diana Miles is “no longer employed.”