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What is Stare Decisis and Why do I Care?
Jane Dean Jane Dean

What is Stare Decisis and Why do I Care?

Stare decisis is a Latin term meaning “to stand by things decided.” In law, it is a legal doctrine that simply means that decisions of a higher court must be followed by lower courts. The reason for this is both interesting and very important in our common law legal system.

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Amendments to the RTA Effective September 1, 2021
Jane Dean Jane Dean

Amendments to the RTA Effective September 1, 2021

Effective September 1, 2021, Bill 184 made changes and additions to the Residential Tenancies Act that will affect both landlords and tenants. Pursuant to these amendments, the LTB will also be changing forms, instructions, guidelines, and rules of procedures.

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You Have an Order for Money – What Now?
Jane Dean Jane Dean

You Have an Order for Money – What Now?

You’ve done the work of preparing the file and arguing in front of a Judge or Adjudicator and have received a Judgment or Order for money that is rightfully owed to you – what do you do now?

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Jane Dean Jane Dean

Honesty Counts in Contracts!

“This organizing principle of good faith manifests itself through the existing doctrines about the types of situations and relationships in which the law requires, in certain respects, honest, candid, forthright or reasonable contractual performance.”

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Jane Dean Jane Dean

Discrimination, Is It Ever Okay in the Workplace?

Most of us have been taught throughout their lives that it is wrong to discriminate against someone. The government created the Human Rights Code that sets out 17 prohibited grounds of discrimination in five social areas – housing, employment, services, contracts, and vocational associations – where discrimination is prohibited.

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Navigating Ontario’s Stay at Home Order
Jane Dean Jane Dean

Navigating Ontario’s Stay at Home Order

We have been notified of another two weeks of enforcement of the stay-at-home order (formally known as O. Reg. 11/21 under the Emergency Measures and Civil Protection Act or “EMCPA”) until February 8, 2021. What the measures cover is a topic of much ambiguity and speculation.

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Jane Dean Jane Dean

Impact of COVID-19 on Landlords

Many landlords could not receive mortgage deferrals and bills like heating, hydro, and water, could not go unpaid. Tenants typically contribute to these bills (either included in the rent or separate) but could not, which meant the landlords now had an obligation to cover those costs or risk contravention of the Residential Tenancies Act.

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Jane Dean Jane Dean

Impact of Driving Without Insurance

Driving without auto insurance is an offence under the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act. It is not a criminal offence, so a conviction will not appear on your criminal record and you might not be arrested. So, if a conviction does not go on your criminal record, surely it can not be all that bad, right?

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