Was it something I said? Non-verbal cues in court

Written by Lawson Hennick / Justice / March 02, 2017
Courtroom reflected in pupil

In the world of litigation, words matter. Written submissions, statements, admissions , and contradictions all shine a light on the ultimate goal—getting to the truth. However, one important and rarely-emphasized area of focus in litigation is non-verbal communication. Whether we are talking about juries, lawyers, litigants or judges, one common factor at play is the human condition to subconsciously send and receive non-verbal messages. Impressions and …

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The Death Knell for Waivers? Not Quite.

Written by Kris Bonn / Safety / February 24, 2017
waiver superimposed on snowboarder's wake

In December 2008, Elizabeth Woodhouse was injured during a skiing trip with her spouse and grandson at a ski facility run by Snow Valley Resorts. The lawsuit that followed, Woodhouse v. Snow Valley Resorts, breaks new ground for waivers of liability in Ontario. Liability Forms Liability forms are legal documents that are intended to reduce a person or company’s risk of being liable for accidents …

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Why is my insurance company surveilling me?

Written by Brendan Sullivan / Personal Injury / February 17, 2017

Your activities, abilities and credibility are central pieces of your case during personal injury litigation. Insurance companies sometimes want to find out for themselves if what you say and what you do are the same.

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Suing a Landlord for Negligence: Limitation Periods

Written by Najma Rashid / Personal Injury / February 08, 2017

The floor tiles are chipped. There is a crack in the drywall. The carpet is torn and unsecured. The bathtub leaks onto the floor. In residential premises, a tenant can trip, slip, or fall due to any of these conditions. If injured, can the tenant sue their landlord for negligence? And if so, what are the time limits for commencing such an action? Many Ontarians are familiar with …

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3 Things You Should Do Before Lending Your Vehicle

Written by Anna Stoll / Safety / February 02, 2017
lend your vehicle

When friends or family members ask to borrow your vehicle, you may be inclined to agree without giving it much thought. While allowing someone to borrow your vehicle is legal in Ontario, it is important to understand the potential risks before handing over the keys.

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9 Months of LAT: Statistical Analysis of Decisions to Date

Written by Duncan Macgillivray / Justice / January 27, 2017
happy birthday candles below Ontario crest

Starting April 1, 2016, the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT) took over hearing Statutory Accident Benefits disputes. The first LAT decision was released online in July 2016. With the LAT just turning 9 months old, this post will examine the LAT decisions published online to date (as of January 12, 2017).

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