Areas of Law
When You Get a Call About a Will You Drafted… What Is Your Next Step?
You’re sitting at your desk on a typical weekday afternoon when, out of the blue, you get a call related to a will file. As soon as this happens, be wary. Your first instinct may be to try to help. But calls around wills you’ve prepared raise issues around confidentiality and privilege. Trying to recall… Read More »
Categories: LAWPRO policy, Online Only, Wills & EstatesIneffective Assistance of Counsel Claims – LAWPRO is here to help
The appeal ground of ineffective assistance by trial counsel is steadily on the rise, as most recently demonstrated by the Ontario Court of Appeal case R. v. Trought, 2021 ONCA 379. Lawyers need to know how to best protect themselves while complying with their ethical responsibilities to their former clients. The first step is to… Read More »
Categories: Criminal Law, Online Only10 Tips to Adapt to the New Contingency Fee Regime
On July 1, 2021 Ontario’s contingency fees will be subject to significant changes, with amendments to both the Solicitors Act and the Law Society Rules of Professional Conduct coming into force. The changes will affect how contingency fees are calculated and will impact how contingency fee matters are managed from marketing and new client intake… Read More »
Categories: Access to Justice, Civil Litigation, Firm Management, Marketing, Online Only, RetainersTips to Manage the Important New Changes to Wills, Powers of Attorney and Succession Law
The government has enacted 4 important changes regarding wills, powers of attorney (POAs) and to the administration of an estate with Bill 245 – Accelerating Access to Justice Act, 2021 which received Royal Assent on April 19, 2021. (See amendments in Schedule 8 – Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 and Schedule 9 – Succession Law Reform… Read More »
Categories: Online Only, Wills & EstatesNew 60 Day Notice Requirement in Occupiers’ Liability Act (Injury from Snow or Ice) Overview
Bill 118, An Act to amend the Occupiers’ Liability Act, received royal assent on December 8, 2020 and came into force on January 29, 2021. The amendment introduces a new 60-day notice requirement for claims for personal injury caused by snow or ice which, if not met, will bar actions unless an exception applies. The… Read More »
Categories: Civil Litigation, Limitation Periods, Online OnlyIntroducing the new TitlePLUS: Launching May 17
The new TitlePLUS is launching on May 17 and is better than ever. It’s a one-stop shop to purchasing title insurance that busy legal professionals expect. Within minutes, you can complete an easy online application and receive a user-friendly title insurance policy that automatically includes legal service coverage. Backed by LAWPRO®, TitlePLUS is the only… Read More »
Categories: Real Estate, Title insurance, TitlePLUSTips to Prepare for the New Rule Changes
On January 1, 2021, significant changes to the Rules of Civil Procedure come into force. While you should review the amendments carefully, this article includes some key practical tips and an overview of the major changes. Key Practice Tips You can now serve documents by email. Confirm that your email address is up to date… Read More »
Categories: Civil Litigation, Online OnlyHow to deal with limitations periods that were suspended during the pandemic
From calls we have received from insureds, LAWPRO is aware there are questions regarding whether limitation periods and procedural deadlines were suspended during the pandemic. We have had several pandemic-related limitation period claims reported to us. This article provides some direction on how you should deal with limitation periods or procedural deadlines that may have… Read More »
Categories: Civil Litigation, Limitation Periods, Online Only, Time ManagementTips for calculating limitations deadlines accounting for the COVID-19 emergency suspension period
As we noted in this article, there appears to be some questioning whether limitation periods were suspended during the pandemic. LAWPRO believes these concerns are unwarranted. Further to the provisions of the original Emergency Order, and the subsequent actions and circumstances springing from it, LAWPRO believes that limitation periods and procedural deadlines were suspended. As… Read More »
Categories: Civil Litigation, Limitation Periods, Online Only, Time ManagementTips for real estate lawyers in the Covid residential purchase, refinance and home renovation marketplaces
Brought to you in partnership with the Toronto Lawyers’ Association, this program looks at the trends of hot and cool markets, provides tips on providing guidance to clients looking for help with home renovations, opportunities for lawyers to provide enhanced legal services at the start of a purchase transaction, and more
Categories: Communications Errors, CPD, Cyber dangers, Fraud, Inadequate Investigation, Marketing, Real Estate, Title insurance