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Oppression Remedy | Business & Corporate Law

Read time: 5 minutes A breakdown of corporate relationships can occur for several reasons, including: dishonesty, theft, fraud, or differing visions for the company. Without clear shareholder agreements in place, these disputes can easily develop into an oppression case, where one or more shareholders treat other shareholders unfairly. Fortunately, corporations are governed by both federal […]

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Excluded Property Under the Family Law Act

Read time: 5 minutes In Ontario, the Family Law Act 1990 (the “Act”) excludes certain property from the net family property calculation. The Act defines net family property as the value of the property that each spouse owns on the valuation date, after deducting debts and liabilities, net of the value of property at the […]

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Key Glossary for Commercial Leases | Business Law

Key Glossary for Commercial Leases Read time: 3 minutes Reading a commercial lease agreement can often feel like you are trying to learn a new language, unless you work in the legal profession. This is because specific terminology, which we don’t often hear in our day-to-day interactions, is used to draft the most effective agreements. […]

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The New Construction Act: Papering Your Files | Construction Law

The New Construction Act: Papering Your Files Read time:  3 minutes  The Construction Lien Amendment Act, 2017 (the “Act”), received royal assent on December 12, 2017. Although a few provisions of the new Construction Act came into force immediately, the majority of key changes have yet to come into force. These changes are expected to […]

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Real Estate Law Toronto: Legal Non-Conforming Uses

Legal Non-Conforming Uses Read time: 5-6 minutes A legal non-conforming use occurs when the use of one’s land, building or structure is not permitted by the current zoning by-law, but was permitted by a previous by-law. Pursuant to section 34(9) of the Planning Act, no zoning by-law passed can be applied to prevent the continued […]

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Business Law: Asset Purchase vs. Share Purchase when Buying a Business

Buying a Business: Asset Purchase vs. Share Purchase Read time: 4-5 minutes Asset purchase vs. share purchase – how do the two differ? They are the two core methods for buying or selling a business. An asset purchase requires the sale of individual assets. A share purchase requires the purchase of 100 percent of the […]

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Real Estate Lawyer Tips: Land Severances – What You Need To Know

Land Severances (Consents): What You Need to Know About the Application and Appeal Processes Read Time: 3-4 Minutes A land severance, also called a “consent”, occurs when a piece of land is authorized to be separated from a larger lot, forming a new lot or parcel. Lots can be created by an approved plan of […]

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Real Estate Lawyer on Bill 139: Changes to Land Use Planning Appeal Process

Update on Bill 139: Changes Coming to the Land Use Planning Appeal Process Read Time: 2 Minutes Bill 139 received Royal Assent on December 12, 2017 and came into force as the Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds Act, 2017. Schedules to the Act, containing legislative amendments, will come into force on the proclamation date, […]

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Real Estate Law | Certificate of Pending Litigation

Certificate of Pending Litigation: A Useful Tool in Litigation Read time: 3-4 minutes A Certificate of Pending Litigation (“CPL”) is a notice to the public, registered on title, indicating that the interest or title to a specific piece of land is subject to a Court dispute. A CPL restrains all dealings with the land until […]

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Civil Litigation Law: The Cost Consequences

Cost Consequences of Litigation Read time: 3-4 minutes Litigation is expensive and time consuming. Luckily, if you are the successful party in litigation you are usually able to recover some of your legal fees and disbursements. Cost consequences are intended to discourage frivolous or vexatious claims and unreasonable conduct. If you initiate litigation and you […]

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Land Use Planning Evidence: The Basis for your Municipal Appeal | Real Estate Law

Land Use Planning Evidence: The Basis for your Municipal Appeal Read time: 4 minutes Land Use Planning If you plan on bringing an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board (“OMB”) or to the forthcoming Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (“LPAT”), you better have a good land use planner experienced with giving written and verbal evidence on […]

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Civil Litigation Lawyer Tips – Enforcing Judgments: Collecting on Your Wins

Enforcing Judgments: Collecting on Your Wins Read time: 3 minutes Receiving a favourable court judgment can be a huge relief after months, or often years, of litigation. However, a court judgment is simply a piece of paper stating that a party is owed compensation. While sometimes the owing party may pay up their debt willingly […]

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Construction Law and Lien Claims: Understanding the Basics

Lien Claims: Understanding the Basics Read time: 3-4 minutes The Construction Lien Act (the ‘Act’) is intended to protect the interests of those who supply services or materials to a property improvement, so that the owner does not benefit from those services or materials without paying for them. The Act allows certain parties to place […]

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Business Lawyer Advises: Piercing the Corporate Veil

Piercing the Corporate Veil Read time: 4 minutes The Corporate Veil | Businesses often choose to incorporate because corporations operate as separate legal entities, shielding the personal assets of shareholders from creditors. Many people think that they can hide behind corporations. While the corporate veil will often protect shareholders, directors and officers from personal liability, […]

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Real Estate Law: Major Changes Coming to the Ontario Municipal Board

Major Changes Coming to the Ontario Municipal Board Read time: 4-5 minutes Ontario Municipal Board Changes | Bill 139 had its first reading on May 30, 2017, its second reading in September and has been ordered for its third reading. As the Bill currently stands, it will significantly change the process by which local planning […]

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Real Estate Law: Minor Variances with Major Impacts

Minor Variances with Major Impacts Read time: 4 minutes What are Minor Variances? What are minor variances? Before renovating, building or developing on a property, it is important to research the municipal zoning by-laws. Municipal zoning by-laws govern the types of uses permitted on a property and specify building locations and parking spaces, amongst other […]

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Understanding Development Charges | Municipal Law

Understanding Development Charges Read time: 3-4 minutes What are Development Charges? Development charges are one-time fees imposed by lower and/or upper tier municipalities on land developers, home builders and institutions when they develop or build upon an area of land. The fees are intended to offset the cost of increased municipal services and infrastructure required […]

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Civil Litigation Tips: 8 Proactive Steps To Avoid Litigation

8 Proactive Steps for Avoiding Litigation Read time: 4-5 minutes How To Try And Avoid Litigation: Litigation can be a necessary and useful tool for businesses to reach an objective. It can assist in resolving disputes where the parties have reached a standstill, or if the relationship is too damaged for effective resolution discussions. Quick […]

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Business Lawyer Advice on Shareholder Agreement: A Tool for Avoiding Disputes

The Shareholder Agreement: A Tool for Avoiding Disputes Read time: 3-4 minutes What is a Shareholder Agreement? A Shareholder Agreement is a written agreement that specifies the rules and procedures that shareholders must follow and the entitlements of shareholders in a corporation. While some aspects of corporate affairs are dictated by legislation, such as the […]

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Municipal Freedom of Information Requests: Understanding the Basics

Municipal Freedom of Information Requests: Understanding the Basics Read time: 2-3 minutes Freedom of Information Requests There are many reasons an individual might want to make a freedom of information request from a municipality. An individual may want to obtain their own personal information or request that their personal information be changed. A potential litigant […]

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