Civil Litigation
How 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 ManagementThe Dangers of Rule 49 of the Rules of Civil Procedure
Consider the following scenario: You act for a plaintiff in a Superior Court matter. On your client’s instructions, you send the opposing counsel an informal email in which you offer to settle the litigation for $100,000. You do not include an expiry date for the offer. The opposing counsel promptly rejects the offer by email… Read More »
Categories: Civil Litigation, Online OnlyTips for navigating the new Simplified Procedure
Significant changes to the Superior Court Simplified Procedure came into effect on January 1, 2020. Budget Bill 2019 amended section 108 of the Courts of Justice Act to eliminate trials by jury under the Simplified Procedure. Regulatory changes filed October 23, 2019 unveiled significant further changes to the Simplified Procedure as prescribed by Rule 76… Read More »
Categories: Civil Litigation, Online OnlyCommon Limitation Period Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
It is one of a lawyer’s worst nightmares: missing a limitation period. It can be a very easy mistake to make and yet the consequences can be enormous. There are numerous “pitfalls” that can lead to missed limitation periods and other limitation period problems. Some of these pitfalls are relatively easy to avoid whereas others… Read More »
Categories: Civil Litigation, Limitation Periods, Online Only, Time ManagementReview Your Files – The Ultimate Limitation Period is Arriving Soon
Section 15 of Ontario’s Limitations Act, 2002, often referred to as the “ultimate limitation period,” provides a final deadline for initiating legal proceedings, subject to a few exceptions. Section 15(2) of the Act states: “15 (2) No proceeding shall be commenced in respect of any claim after the 15th anniversary of the day on which… Read More »
Categories: Civil Litigation, Limitation Periods, WebzineIn Defence of Our Insureds in 2017
LAWPRO defends actions against lawyers and licensed paralegals practising in every area of the law. In our February issue, we highlighted 2017 civil litigation claims. Family law A plaintiff hired a lawyer to handle certain financial matters, including the drafting of a prenuptial agreement, in preparation for her upcoming marriage. It eventually came to light… Read More »
Categories: 2018 May Year in Review 2017, Areas of Law, Articles, Casebook, Civil Litigation, Content Type, Corporate Law, Family, LAWPRO Magazine, LAWPRO Magazine Article Type, Real Estate, Tax, Year in ReviewRule 48: Set your matter down for trial
Under Rule 48, registrars will dismiss five-year-old actions that have not been set down for trial without notice. The best strategy to pre-empt last minute catastrophes is to move files along in a timely manner and to set the matter down well within the five-year time limit. The longer a file drags on, the more… Read More »
Categories: Admin dismissals/Rule 48, Areas of Law, Civil Litigation, Malpractice Errors, TopicsAfter the event (ATE) insurance: what you need to know
After the event (ATE) insurance (a type of legal expense insurance) can help lessen the financial blow of a lost case for both the client and lawyer. Generally, the insurer will pay some amount of costs, fees, and/or disbursements if the client is unsuccessful. It is important to understand the specific policies and contracts involved… Read More »
Categories: Areas of Law, Civil Litigation, Communications Errors, Conflicts of Interest, Malpractice Errors, TopicsCivil litigation claims: What we saw in 2017
Claims against litigators are the largest area-of-law subset in LAWPRO’s claims portfolio. The rate of increase in claims in this area outstrips all others, and is an increasing source of concern.In the past two years, we have focused on the claims impact of the changes to Rule 48 of the Rules of Civil Procedure. Judgments… Read More »
Categories: 2018 February Top Legal Disruptions, Admin dismissals/Rule 48, Areas of Law, Articles, Casebook, Civil Litigation, Content Type, LAWPRO Magazine, LAWPRO Magazine Article Type, Limitation Periods, Malpractice Errors, Time Management, Topics