Malpractice Errors
Make sure clients aren’t caught off guard by the Rental Fairness Act
On April 27, 2017 the Province of Ontario amended the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) with the introduction of the Rental Fairness Act. Some of the changes to the RTA are already fully in force, others will come into play in 2018. The amendments to the RTA affect every residential tenancy in Ontario to different… Read More »
Categories: 2018 February Top Legal Disruptions, Areas of Law, Articles, Content Type, Could This Happen to You?, Failure to Know The Law, LAWPRO Magazine, LAWPRO Magazine Article Type, Malpractice Errors, Real Estate, TopicsEvery day you help prevent money laundering
Pay attention to lender instructions on verifying the identification of individuals or corporations Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (“FINTRAC”) has recently changed the identification verification requirements for financial institutions to fulfill their obligations under Canada’s anti-money laundering legislation Financial institutions rely on lawyers to verify the identification of individuals as part of… Read More »
Categories: FraudNo conviction doesn’t mean no consequences: What are the implications of criminal investigation for your clients?
For a client charged with a criminal offence, the dismissal of charges (or acquittal at trial) can be a source of immense relief. For many accused, the elation of avoiding conviction can feel like a new beginning. As a criminal lawyer, it can be difficult to throw cold water on those feelings of elation. However,… Read More »
Categories: Communications Errors, Criminal LawReflections on technology changes in real estate practice
Facilitating transfers of real estate has been the bread-and-butter of thousands of Ontario lawyers for generations. Despite occasional market wobbles, real estate business has helped firms to flourish in communities of all sizes, often supporting the delivery of family, estates, commercial and even criminal law services. Healthy real estate practices support both lawyers’ own families… Read More »
Categories: 2017 August Managing Change, Areas of Law, Articles, Clerical / Delegation, Communications Errors, Cyber dangers, Features, Inadequate Investigation, LAWPRO Magazine Article Type, Legal Technology, Real Estate, Time Management, TopicsLitigation claims on the rise
In recent years, the growth in civil litigation claims has outstripped the overall growth in claims. For example, from 2006 through 2010 LAWPRO received an average of 708 civil litigation claims each year, and during 2011 through 2015, the average increased to 948 each year. This growth of 34 per cent vastly exceeds the 7… Read More »
Categories: 2017 August Managing Change, Admin dismissals/Rule 48, Areas of Law, Articles, Civil Litigation, Communications Errors, Content Type, Dabbling, Features, Inadequate Investigation, LAWPRO Magazine, LAWPRO Magazine Article Type, Limitation Periods, Time ManagementThe mysterious magic of routines
As a child, did you step carefully over every sidewalk crack? Tap each post of the hockey net before settling into the crease? Wear your lucky socks to every law school exam? Even those of us who scorn superstition rely on routines and rituals for our own protection: we swallow a daily multivitamin, fasten our… Read More »
Categories: 2017 August Managing Change, Articles, Communications Errors, Content Type, LAWPRO Magazine, LAWPRO Magazine Article Type, Practice Tips, TopicsGeneric ILA Checklist
A person seeking independent legal advice is as much your client as any other. Resist the temptation to rush or take shortcuts. A lower standard of service is not warranted just because your meeting is brief and you may not see the client again. Remember that a modest $150 independent legal advice (ILA) consultation can… Read More »
Categories: Checklist, Independent Legal AdviceManaging the Practice of Investing in Clients
The practice of lawyers investing in clients’ businesses is current and growing. Past experience with this type of activity (which includes taking equity positions in the form of shares of stock) has taught us that this practice raises significant issues which need to be managed. This booklet (Download PDF) will explain the issues you should… Read More »
Categories: Conflicts of Interest, Ethics, Finances, Managing BookletsManaging Conflict of Interest Situations
Conflicts of interest can be potential or actual, obvious or hidden, anticipated or unexpected, direct or imputed. Conflicts of interest can surface before the lawyer is retained or sometime during the retainer. This booklet (Download PDF) will show how to better manage this risk by identifying, checking for and managing conflict of interest situations.
Categories: Conflicts of Interest, Managing BookletsCybersecurity Handbook: A Resource for Attorneys, Law Firms, and Business Professionals
Jill D. Rhodes and Vincent I. Polley, published 2013, 299 pages The ABA Cybersecurity Handbook: A Resource for Attorneys, Law Firms and Business Professionals provides practical cyber threat information, guidance, and strategies to lawyers and law firms of all sizes. The guide considers the interrelationship between lawyer and client, establishing what legal responsibilities and professional… Read More »
Categories: Book, Cyber dangers, Disaster Planning, Fraud, Legal Technology