May 3, 2018

British Columbia Government Proposes Changes to the Class Proceedings Act

On April 23rd, the provincial government introduced Bill 21, Class Proceedings Amendment Act, 2018. The purpose of Bill 21 is twofold, namely to amend BC’s Class Proceedings Act to facilitate certification and management of multi-jurisdictional class proceedings, and to enhance participation in class proceedings for both residents and non-residents of Read more…

April 3, 2018

Manitoba Law Reform Commission Releases Final Report on Small Estates

Manitoba Law Reform Commission Releases Final Report on Small Estates On March 20th, the Manitoba Law Reform Commission (MLRC) released its final report entitled, Updating the Administration of Small Estates in Manitoba—Final Report #135. The report examines “possible amendments to improve the legislation and procedure related to the summary administration Read more…

March 19, 2018

Alberta Law Reform Institute publishes Report on Competence and Communication in the Alberta Evidence Act

The Alberta Law Reform Institute (ALRI) has published its final report on recommendations to reform the Alberta Evidence Act “to facilitate the reception of evidence from children, adults with cognitive impairment, and witnesses who use alternative means of communication.” As ALRI notes, On occasion, a court must determine whether a proposed witness Read more…

March 13, 2018

Ontario Superior Court Rules on the Capacity to Marry

In December 2017, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled on Hunt v Worrod, 2017 ONSC 7397 (Hunt), wherein the family of a man suffering from a brain injury sought annulment of what the media called a “predatory marriage.” Mr. Hunt was injured in an ATV accident, causing serious brain injury Read more…

February 22, 2018

Scottish Law Commission Publishes Three-Volume Report on Moveable Transactions

On December 19, 2017, the Scottish Law Commission (SLC) published a three-volume Report on Moveable Transactions. It recommends the substantial reform of Scots moveable transactions law, which the news release calls “badly outdated, unclear, and unduly restrictive.” “Moveables” in Scots law is a class of property largely analogous to personal Read more…