For many, a dog can be a best friend, helper or guard. However, with dog ownership comes the responsibility of ensuring that your dog does not injure others. As the weather warms up, it becomes more common to see people taking their dogs out to parks and enjoying the day. Without a doubt, having a dog can be a very rewarding experience. However, if you are a dog owner or are considering becoming one, it is important to consider and…
Have you ever wondered what steps are involved when you initiate a lawsuit? It’s easy to picture a case going to trial before a judge or jury but before a trial can take place, there are many steps that need to be undertaken before a matter can proceed through the court system. Here are the main steps of a civil proceeding in Ontario, keeping in mind that many cases settle before trial: Investigatory phase Before a lawsuit can be filed,…
In an adversarial environment, lawyers on both sides will endeavor to put their best foot forward on behalf of their clients. However, experts are always expected to provide the court with unbiased, non-partisan opinion evidence. Recent judicial decisions have helped identify situations of bias and helped to clarify circumstances when the court may choose to include or exclude an expert’s evidence. The starting point for any analysis as to the role and duty of experts can be found at 4.1.01…