This past year, the courts have left us with important decisions about employment contracts, constructive dismissal, severance, just cause and the oppression remedy. This article is a short summary of some important employment law decisions in Alberta in 2022, separated roughly into subcategories … [Read more...]
Gambling in the Online Age
While gambling facilities must have a provincial license to operate, only government-operated websites offer legal gambling online. You have probably seen ads for online gambling websites all over the place - commercials, social media, even at the Superbowl. But did you know these websites are not … [Read more...]
Dealing Effectively with Self-Represented Litigants: A view from the bench
Nine tips for anyone involved with self-represented litigants (SRLs), including a look at the responsibilities of lawyers and the court. I can only speculate on the reasons for the surge over the last 20 years in people representing themselves in all forms of litigation. One may be the high cost … [Read more...]
The Tort of Family Violence: New relief available for victims of family violence
In 2022, the Ontario Supreme Court applied a new tort of family violence that recognizes the complex dynamic of violence within a relationship. The new tort of family violence represents another step forward in Canadian courts’ ever-changing views of how to address violence in family matters. To … [Read more...]
Childcare Obligations and Self-Accommodation in Alberta
Under Alberta human rights laws, what do employees have to show in a case of family status discrimination relating to childcare obligations? Provincial, territorial and federal human rights legislation in Canada prohibits discrimination against employees based on family status. This protection … [Read more...]
Canada’s legal responsibilities on international human rights
If passed, Bill C-262 will hold Canadian companies accountable for adverse impacts on human rights in their business activities abroad. Human rights are embedded in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. They are also an essential component of Canada’s approach to both domestic and … [Read more...]
How legal coaching can help if you are representing yourself in court
Gaining in popularity, legal coaching is an unbundled legal service that allows you to hire a legal helper to do a specific job for you. With Legal Aid services chronically underfunded and the average cost for a lawyer steadily increasing, it is no wonder more and more people are representing … [Read more...]
How PLEI Resources Can (and Cannot) Help Self-Represented People
Reliable and current public legal education and information (PLEI) resources can help self-represented people prevent and resolve legal problems in many situations. What is PLEI? PLEI stands for public legal education and information. While it may seem self-explanatory, one description of what is … [Read more...]
Ayn Rand and the United States Court of Elitism: A strange symbiosis (Part 1)
Part one of this two-part series reviews Ayn Rand's views and novels, to help us understand her influence on the United States Supreme Court. Part One: Who are Howard Roark and Judge Narragansett? At the end of August 2022, Senator Bernie Sanders gave a rousing speech to British workers who are … [Read more...]
Do you need legal information? Start at Alberta Law Libraries
Alberta Law Libraries offer guidance and free access to legal materials and forms. If you are dealing with a legal problem, or if you need to appear in court and do not have a lawyer, you are welcome to visit Alberta Law Libraries for assistance and free access to legal materials. Understanding the … [Read more...]
