In overturning Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the U.S. the Supreme Court signaled a radical break with the history of the Court, executed in the name of an historicist “originalism.” David Cole, the National Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union, noted in the New York Review of Books (August 18, 2022) that “never has the Court eliminated a constitutional right so central to the equality and autonomy of half the nation.” But then he also observes that “never has so much changed in a single year” for the . . . [more]

Each Wednesday we tell you which three English-language cases and French-language cases have been the most viewed* on CanLII and we give you a small sense of what the cases are about. La version française suit.

For this last week, the three most-consulted English-language decisions were:

1. Jackson v Cooper, 2022 ABKB 609 (CanLII)

[148] A Plaintiff’s claim for cost of care must be reasonable, legitimate, and justifiable: Andrews at 242-44. Damages are awarded on the basis of objective, evidence-based opinion that goes to the medical justification for and reasonableness of the expense: Sutherland at para 625, citing Krangle . . . [more]

Here are excerpts from the most recent tips on SlawTips, the site that each week offers up useful advice, short and to the point, on practice, research, writing and technology.

Research & Writing

Law Prof Fail
Neil Guthrie

A law professor and political candidate tweeted this: Last night we gathered with a group of Liberal supporters who, like I, care about combatting climate change … . . . [more]

Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec.

PÉNAL (DROIT): L’appel est accueilli et un verdict d’acquittement est prononcé relativement au chef d’accusation de conduite d’un véhicule avec une alcoolémie supérieure à la limite permise reproché à l’appelante puisque la juge de première instance a commis une erreur manifeste quant aux règles de droit applicables dans son analyse . . . [more]

In a recent Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario ruling, it was found that the Ontario Provincial Police violated the human rights of a large number of migrant workers based on race, colour and place of origin, when it conducted a DNA sweep during a criminal investigation of a sexual assault. The HRTO noted in particular that the OPP sought and collected DNA from all migrant workers, regardless of whether they met the victim’s description or had an alibi, and the OPP failed to adequately ensure that vulnerable workers were able to provide voluntary and informed consent to the DNA . . . [more]

Periodically on Thursdays, we present a significant excerpt, usually from a recently published book or journal article. In every case the proper permissions have been obtained. If you are a publisher who would like to participate in this feature, please let us know via the site’s contact form.

“Other Materials”—Traitorous Love and Decolonizing the Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation
(2022) 53:2 Ottawa Law Review 302, 2022 CanLIIDocs 1622

Dr. Danielle Lussier (@daniellelussier) is a Métis mother, beadwork artist, and lawyer from Treaty 1 and the Homeland of the Métis Nation. She currently serves as Associate Vice-Principal Indigenous . . . [more]

Sandy, a seven-year call, just had her annual review. The partners are thrilled with her performance and are starting to discuss partnership. But Sandy is wondering, is this something she wants?

For many associates partnership is no longer an attractive goal.

Many young lawyers look at partners’ lives and don’t see the appeal. The long hours, the burden of administrative tasks, and the high-stress levels don’t have much of a draw.

What if partnership offered more than this?

What if stepping into partnership meant greater agency over your career and a way to help create a better work environment for . . . [more]

Each Wednesday we tell you which three English-language cases and French-language cases have been the most viewed* on CanLII and we give you a small sense of what the cases are about. La version française suit.

For this last week, the three most-consulted English-language decisions were:

1. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v. Vavilov, 2019 SCC 65

[1] This appeal and its companion cases (see Bell Canada v. Canada (Attorney General), 2019 SCC 66 (CanLII)), provide this Court with an opportunity to re-examine its approach to judicial review of administrative decisions.

[2] In these reasons, we will . . . [more]

“Simple ideas are easier to understand. Ideas that are easier to understand are repeated.
Ideas that are repeated change the world.”
– Simon Sinek, Author & Speaker

There are a lot of things I love about working at a small law firm. Access to lawyers and senior leaders is more frequent, building relationships with everyone across the firm is actually achievable, and getting real-time insights into the practice of law happens daily. But for me, the main feature has been the ability to implement simple ideas, that demonstrate my experience and expertise, quickly and effectively.

If you are a sole . . . [more]

Have you had a chance to read CanLII President & CEO Sarah Sutherland’s new book, Legal Data and Information in Practice?

Over at the ICLR Blog, Paul Magrath recently posted a review the book and notes:

“[t]his short, clear book is a very good introduction for lawyers and information professionals. … All things considered, this is an area where both the pace and scope of development and the increasing awareness of social and ethical concerns justify paying attention to the subject, and for that this book is an excellent primer.”

If you jump over the pond, you’ll find . . . [more]