Civil Litigation
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October 07, 2025
Small change, big impact: Ontario expands small claims jurisdiction to $50,000
As of Oct. 1, 2025, the monetary jurisdiction of Ontario’s small claims court has increased from $35,000 to $50,000 (exclusive of costs and interest). While it may appear a merely incremental change, the increase represents a significant procedural development in Ontario’s justice system, affecting not just new claims but potentially existing ones as well.
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October 07, 2025
Undermining a costs claim: Costs and conduct in the context of interim parenting litigation
In the recent Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision Singh v. Kaur, 2025 ONSC 4122, Justice Imran Kamal underscored that where litigation arises from the conduct of both parties and neither achieves a substantially better outcome, an award of no costs may be appropriate on account of that unreasonable conduct.
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October 07, 2025
Lawyer ordered to pay costs for non-disclosure of gen AI use and citing fake precedents in court
In a cautionary case for litigation lawyers who use generative artificial intelligence (AI) for court submissions, a Federal Court associate judge recently hit an immigration lawyer with personal costs for submitting two defective AI-generated precedents and for breaching the Federal Court’s requirement to disclose any generative AI use in court filings.
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October 06, 2025
Danielle Joel, Max Muñoz join Miller Thomson as partners
Miller Thomson has announced that Danielle Joel and Max Muñoz have joined the firm as partners in the Toronto office.
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October 06, 2025
N.B. looking for feedback on water quality legislation
New Brunswick’s government is seeking input on proposed changes to laws governing water quality in the province. According to an Oct. 6 news release, environmental organizations, industry groups, First Nations and the public “can all take part in shaping new legislation that matches the needs and values of their communities.”
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October 06, 2025
Farm owners granted leave to pursue misfeasance claim against Crown
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has granted leave to two farm owners to bring an action for misfeasance in public office against Crown employees who allegedly removed half their cattle from the farm in bad faith and ill will.
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October 06, 2025
Cox & Palmer expands Halifax team with 6 new associates
Cox & Palmer has welcomed six new associates to its Halifax office.
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October 06, 2025
Supreme Court to clarify patentability of methods of medical treatment
After over a decade, the Supreme Court of Canada will hear a pharmaceutical patent case: Pharmascience Inc. v. Janssen Inc., et al. The case concerns the patentability of methods of medical treatment, an area of law that the courts have been grappling with for many years. The Supreme Court is set to determine whether dosing regimens fall within the statutory definition of “invention” of the Patent Act or remain unpatentable subject matter.
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October 06, 2025
Who is responsible when a dog bites? Part two
Everybody likes the dog until it bites.
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October 06, 2025
Saskatchewan to regulate non-lawyers in bid to increase access to justice
Saskatchewan has brought into force legislative changes that will allow “non-lawyer legal professionals” to deliver certain services to the public — something officials with the province’s law society say will enhance access to justice for “underserved” residents.