Access to justice plays a vital role in maintaining the rule of law and ensuring fairness and equality within our civil justice system. In a perfect world, justice could be done without regard to the high costs of litigation. Regrettably, we live in a world that is far from perfect and litigants must be mindful of the high costs and risks of litigation. Despite the …
Last week on the OTLA blog, we posted about how to keep your home safe for holiday visitors. This week, we’ll take a more in-depth look not only at the obligations that apply to homeowners, but also those which extend to commercial property owners. The obligations of a property owner are outlined in the Occupiers Liability Act (“the Act”). An “occupier” is defined as “a person in physical …
OTLA has published a submission to the Law Society of Upper Canada in response to the discussion of Alternative Business Structures. You can find it here. Should non-lawyers be allowed to own law firms in Ontario? This is a question that the Law Society of Upper Canada (“LSUC”) is currently grappling with. The LSUC, which regulates the provision of legal services in Ontario, is considering …
The use of off-road recreational vehicles such as ATVs for fun and recreation has increased dramatically over the years. It is also not unusual to see such vehicles on public roadways, and for these vehicles to be driven by young people including minors. Over the years, recreational culture has given rise to an increasing number of rollovers, crashes, and alcohol-related incidents involving ATVs and other …
This past year the app-based ride sharing service, Uber has come to Canada. Uber denies that it is a commercial transportation company; rather, it describes itself as a technology company only offering a matchmaking service to connect riders with drivers. Uber is currently operating in Toronto and Ottawa. Uber operates through a smart phone app or web browser. If someone needs a ride, the person requests …
A New Bill to Improve Road Safety The catastrophic injuries and devastating losses that can happen from accidents due to impaired driving have become known by most. Responsible drivers do not drink and drive: they call a cab, use public transit or have a designated sober driver. Responsible drivers consider other factors that could also impair their ability to control their motor vehicle, including drugs …
