Mediation Part 2: Jill Dougans
Jill Dougans has been working as a mediator since 2003, and is a member in good standing with the Roster Society now called MediateBC. In addition to being a trial lawyer since 1987 Jill obtained a…
Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act: Direct Sales, Distance Sales and Prepaid Purchase Cards
It’s a classic scenario — someone rings your doorbell or calls your home to ‘make you an offer you can’t refuse’ on a product or service that they are selling. Whether it’s a robust cable package, a…
Constructive Dismissal Revisited
While employers have a general right to manage the workplace, they do not have a general right to unilaterally alter important terms in the employment contract. A constructive dismissal arises where…
Employment Agreement Pitfalls
Written employment agreements can benefit both employers and employees. They provide clarity about each party’s entitlements and obligations. Perhaps because of this, written employment agreements…
(AUDIO) Gillian Dougans Discusses Civil Jury Trials in British Columbia
Gillian Dougans discusses civil jury trials in British Columbia with AM1150.
(AUDIO) Paul Johnson Discusses Civil & Commercial Debt Collection Actions
Paul Johnson discusses civil & commercial debt collection actions with AM1150.
Cycling on the Streets of Kelowna
Can cars and bikes share the road? Yes! But it requires an effort on both parts.
Social Media and your Personal Injury Claim
In a world interwoven with social media, insurance companies are increasingly using social media accounts to decrease the value of a personal injury claim. Being aware of how insurance companies will…
Waivers in Sport, Recreation, and Adventure Tourism
It is an annual tradition for my family to go to the mall in the fall and purchase our annual season ski passes. We get our pictures taken (and I have kept our passes for every year – they show the…
Used Vehicles and the Sale of Goods Act
I recently had the opportunity to defend a car dealership in an action where the plaintiff was claiming that they had effectively sold him a lemon because components of the heating and air…
Moral Obligations When Writing your Will - Contemporary Standards of B.C.
In most cases, a will-maker has testamentary autonomy, the complete freedom to dispose of one’s estate as they see fit. However, certain situations necessitate the involvement of the court to override the wishes of the will-maker. When drafting your will, what moral obligations do you keep in mind? Do strained social and familial ties serve as enough of a reason to cut certain people out of your will? If the reasons are seemingly discriminatory, (such as based on gender, race, sexuality, social class, or otherwise) does the court have the discretion to decide on your behalf? To understand the extent of your autonomy in your will, it is highly beneficial to understand the bounds of contemporary community standards in BC court.
Estate Grants - Administration
An estate grant of Administration is a grant by the Supreme Court appointing an individual to act as the administrator of the estate. This grant is typically necessary if the deceased dies without a will (intestate). A Grant of Administration gives an administrator the official right and recognition to act on behalf of the estate.
How do I determine who will be my child's guardian?
There are often challenges when someone dies without a Will, but it can be particularly problematic if the person who has died is a parent and guardian of a minor child.