The Complete Brief
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July 22, 2025
Finality over fairness: A cautionary tale in will drafting, limitation periods
The Ontario Superior Court’s decision in Tessaro v. Gora, 2025 ONSC 198 quietly answered a long-standing question among estate planners: what happens when a decades-old drafting error is unexpectedly discovered? In answering this question, Justice Fred Myers not only clarified the legal consequences of such an error but also reiterated the importance of diligent drafting in estate planning.
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July 22, 2025
U.S. consular vs. border immigration interviews: What’s the difference?
Consular interviews are conducted abroad by the United States embassy or consulate officers to determine whether a visa should be issued. These interviews focus on intent, eligibility and documentation.
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July 22, 2025
Who is responsible when a dog bites?
Everybody loves a dog — until it bites.
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July 21, 2025
Court denies Norwich order request in Canadian Tire fraud case
The Ontario Court of Appeal has denied a request for a Norwich order in a case where appellants were found to have committed fraud against Canadian Tire.
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July 21, 2025
Colin D. Andrews joins DLA Piper as partner
DLA Piper Canada has welcomed Colin D. Andrews to its Toronto office as a partner in the real estate group.
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July 21, 2025
Federal Court quashes thalidomide survivor support denial over lack of explanation, genetic testing
The Federal Court has set aside a denial of benefits under the Canadian Thalidomide Survivors Support Program (CTSSP), finding the decision lacked sufficient explanation and transparency given its significance to the applicant.
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July 21, 2025
B.C. Court of Appeal upholds executor removal despite procedural challenge
The British Columbia Court of Appeal has largely upheld a lower court’s decision to remove an executor from his mother’s estate, rejecting his claim that property transfers to himself and his brother were legitimate distributions rather than improper self-dealing.
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July 21, 2025
$60M proposed settlement reached in B.C. solitary confinement class action
A proposed settlement of up to $60 million has been reached in a class action lawsuit relating to the use of solitary confinement in British Columbia’s correctional centres. Eligible class members could be provided with compensation of up to $91,000 depending on their circumstances.
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July 21, 2025
Canada must increase vetting of People’s Republic of China students linked to state actors
Canada is a target of espionage by the People’s Republic of China, and the study permits granted to many PRC students appear to be one gateway used by the Chinese authorities to accomplish their goals, taking advantage of lax security screening by Canadian visa officers, and their security apparatus’s ability to pressure and force collaboration by Chinese students abroad.
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July 21, 2025
Justice minister sees no Charter risks in Bill C-5, but CBA sees other possible constitutional flaws
Federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser said he doesn’t see “any potential effects on Charter rights and freedoms” from the Liberal government’s contentious new One Canadian Economy Act (C-5), which aims to fast-track approvals for energy and resource development and national infrastructure projects.