Drunk Driving Not Just a Criminal Problem

On , In Personal Injury

Everyone knows that drunk driving is a crime. But an aspect that most people fail to consider beyond the criminal consequences of impaired driving is the civil liability and the tremendous financial risk they subject themselves to if involved in an accident, especially if it results in serious injury or death. Drivers in British Columbia […]


Letters to Santa: An Innocent Christmas Tradition or a Legally Binding Contract

On , In Announcements

My daughter writes letters to Santa every year outlining her wishes, desires and relentless reiterations of how good she has been this year, in the hopes that her good behaviour will be rewarded with a pile of presents under the tree on Christmas morning. The other day, she received a reply from Santa, sent straight […]


The Battling Disinherited

On , In Estate Administration

Suffering death in the family is always a difficult affair, which is only made more difficult when family members start dragging each other through court. A death can open old wounds and in grief people sometimes insist on extreme courses of action. Unfortunately, there is also a growing sense of entitlement in today’s society. Children […]


Privacy and the Workplace: How much can your employer spy on you?

On , In Employment Law

For those who champion privacy rights the recent decision in R v. Cole by Canada’s highest court is being treated as no small victory. In a clear win for privacy rights advocates the Supreme Court of Canada in one of its more notable decisions of the year ruled that an employee’s privacy in the workplace, […]


Haunted by Lawsuits

On , In Estate Administration

I think it would surprise some people to realize how often lawsuits are started or continued by or against someone who has passed away. When we die, our property, assets, legal obligations and contracts continue on and are assumed by our estate. Our estate is managed by the person appointed as our personal representative or […]


Lifting the Covers on Infidelity in the Workplace

On , In Employment Law

The recent events surrounding General Petraeus and his female biographer-turned-mistress have once again ignited hot debate regarding workplace infidelity and the infelicitous actions that workplace relationships sometimes spawn. Even though adultery is not an offence under criminal law it can still carry legal ramifications. The United States military is one such example where infidelity is […]


Brain Buckets and the Backcountry

On , In Personal Injury

No helmet for the hill?  That’s okay, but please brings cash or cheques payable to the Nova Scotia Government. As of last week, a new piece of legislation in Nova Scotia, titled, the Snow Sport Helmet Act came into effect mandating that all skiers and snowboarders must wear certified helmets, that fit snugly and are […]


Winter Tires

On , In Personal Injury

Generally, winter tires are not mandatory in this Province, but that does not mean that they should be viewed by drivers as optional. It is easy to understand one’s reluctance to buy a second set of tires given their price, and one can think of many reasons to justify such a decision. However, the decision…


Taking the bite out of legal fees

On , In Business Law

Taking the bite out of legal fees Lawyers are expensive.  You hope you never have to hire one.  I hope I never have to hire one!  Why are lawyers so expensive?  Overhead is the main reason.  When you hire a lawyer, you hire their staff as well.  You pay for salaries, rent, heat, light, computers, […]


“Get the bailor honey, this ship is sinking”

On , In Commercial Litigation

As the boating season here in the Okanagan comes to a close, the inevitable task of winterizing and storage of the craft soon follows. Many boat owners simply hand their keys over to the storage provider and bid adieu till the following spring without an afterthought. Most fail to consider what their legal rights are […]