I have an OCD-like compulsion of checking to make sure my phone is on me or nearby at all times. Although I have a passcode lock on it, losing my phone is of great concern, and I’m certain I’m not alone.

There are ways to remotely wipe your phone, but if I did lose it I would probably just want it back. The first step there is knowing where it can be found.

Dom Deltorno of London, England lost his MacBook on Feb. 4, 2013 when it was stolen from his home apartment. In April 2013 the tracking service showed . . . [more]

Summaries of selected recent cases are provided each week to Slaw by Maritime Law Book. Every Sunday we present a precis of the latest summaries, a fuller version of which can be found on MLB-Slaw Selected Case Summaries at cases.slaw.ca.

This week's summaries concern: Search warrants / Ojibway Treaty 3 / Repudiation of contract:

On the second Sunday in each month we bring you a summary from Supreme Advocacy LLP of recent decisions at the Supreme Court of Canada. Supreme Advocacy LLP offers a weekly electronic newsletter, SupremeAdvocacyLett@r, to which you may subscribe.

This first entry is a summary of all appeals and leaves to appeal granted (so you know what the S.C.C. will soon be dealing with) from January 1 – April 12, 2013. For leaves, both the date the S.C.C. granted leave and the date of the C.A. judgment below are added in, in case you want to track and check . . . [more]

Excerpted from LAWPRO Magazine, Student Issue #1, 2012

There isn’t a simple magic formula for mapping out a career in law. You will make some decisions on where you would like to go, but there are many things outside your control which will impact on where you will end up. Factors such as economic conditions, personal circumstances, where you articled and even a bit of luck will affect the career path you will follow.

This article outlines some of the 20 tips that will help you find your way to a satisfying and successful legal career.

1. Ask yourself what . . . [more]

Some readers of Slaw will be saddened to hear that Ralph Scane has died. His death notice is in today’s Globe & Mail.

I was a colleague of Ralph for some 20 years at U of T and I remember his kindness, integrity and wide and eclectic legal knowledge. He came to the Faculty from practice and brought with him a refreshing, real-world point of view. At the same time, he was a meticulous scholar and teacher. He was, I think, the first Associate Dean we had and clearly demonstrated his strong administrative abilities; he did much to make the . . . [more]

One-third of the nearly 23,500 lawyers in private practice in Ontario are sole practitioners. As a solo, it’s great to have the freedom that comes with being your own boss, but you also have full responsibility for all aspects of the operation of your law practice.

Do you have what it takes to be a sole practitioner? The 2012 Student Issue of LAWPRO Magazine included a self-assessment test to help identify your strengths and weaknesses and gives you a better idea of whether you’re cut out for solo or small firm practice. It asks you to rank your skills (in . . . [more]

We’re proud indeed to announce that a third great provider of legal content, Eugene Meehan’s firm, Supreme Advocacy, has agreed to provide us with summaries for our Summaries Sunday feature. As Slaw readers will doubtless know, Eugene Meehan Q.C. has been publishing the weekly SupremeAdvocacyLett@r for a good many years, keeping lawyers up to date on developments at the Supreme Court of Canada. He has agreed to provide us with a summary of his newsletter’s content once a month — on the second Sunday of the month — and as well four times a year he will craft for . . . [more]

I couldn’t sell immortality at half price. I just don’t have the skills that are necessary to persuade people to part with their money. Which may explain my fascination with the pitchmen at markets and fairs. Not that I’m a sucker for all things that dice, slice, mince and macerate — though it’s always sensible to have the consumer equivalent of a “sober companion” standing near me as they begin to demonstrate the havoc that the SlashEeze knife might wreak on innocent vegetables or the shine that AmazoGlop could put on my car with only a simple wipe or two . . . [more]

As winter turns to spring and hockey gives way to baseball and soccer, I can’t help but think about the role of referees and umpires and wonder why we don’t use them more for commercial dispute resolution.

Every competitive sport needs a referee or umpire. Even in recreational leagues, players know there will be disputed plays, broken rules and conflicts.

Business is highly competitive. Technology projects, in particular, need on-the-spot umpires who can make calls quickly and settle conflicts efficiently.

Contracts for large, complex projects typically require disputes to be escalated to senior executives or a project steering committee before . . . [more]

The Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) should make disclosure mandatory in situations where public safety is at risk. The current Rulesof Professional Conduct (Rules) focus on protecting confidentiality: there are only four categories of permitted disclosure; of these, all are optional except disclosure mandated by court order. While protecting client confidence is a laudable goal,the current framework does not adequately balance the needs of lawyers, clients, and third parties. A change from optional disclosure to mandatory disclosure for public safety issues will help to balance these needs. By changing the wording of Rule 2.03 (3) of . . . [more]

Lawyers (both new and old) and law students are exposed to high levels of stress on a daily basis. The results can be use, misuse or even addiction to drugs or alcohol, and challenges to physical or mental wellness. Stress is also a contributing factor in many LAWPRO claims. The Wellness section of the practicePRO site provides tools and resources to help you manage stress, and achieve a healthy and balanced lifestyle. There is also information on addictions, and if you or someone you know needs help, a list of programs that offer assistance to lawyers in crisis.

Also available . . . [more]

Law reform commission reports can be great sources for legal research. Many of the reports provide historical background and you can often find comparative information about how other jurisdictions have responded to an issue.

The past few weeks have a very busy time for law reform commissions. A sampling of reports:

• New Zealand Law Commission Report on Regulation of the Media: the review was prompted by concern about the disparities in the legal and ethical standards that apply to news as a result of the emergence of new web-based publishers and the convergence of mainstream print and broadcast media

. . . [more]