by Karen Sawatzky | Aug 17, 2017 | Caselaw, Legal Research, United States
With the high cost of subscription caselaw databases, we’re always looking for authoritative free sources. The Free Law Project is a California non-profit public benefit corporation whose mission is to “provide free, public, and permanent access to primary legal materials on the Internet”. Working with PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) they have collected every free order and opinion available on PACER and published them on an easy-to-use site called CourtListener.
PACER is similar to our Court Registry. It hosts case file documents and docket information for all district, bankruptcy and appellate courts. While it’s not free, it is very reasonably priced. If you’re looking for document information for a U.S. decision, we have an account with PACER and can help you find it.
CourtListener and Google Scholar should be of benefit to those firms who can’t justify subscribing to a U.S. database.
(Hat tip to The Washington Post’s The Volokh Conspiracy column.)
by Karen Sawatzky | Aug 14, 2017 | Adoption, Family Law
The British Columbia Court of Appeal upheld a lower court decision concerning the consideration of Indigenous heritage with all other factors for adoption of a First Nations, Métis or Inuit child. While Indigenous heritage is important, it is just one factor to be weighed in determining the best interests of the child.
Commentary from Globe and Mail; CBC
Decision: M.M. v. T.B. , 2017 BCCA 296
by Karen Sawatzky | Jul 25, 2017 | New Books, Wills and Estates
We recently ordered a number of new books to add to our collection. All titles are linked to the publisher’s record which includes a summary of the content. You can search the Great Library Catalogue to see if the book is available.
Wills and Estates
Macdonell, Sheard and Hull on Probate Practice, 5th ed.
Oosterhoff on Wills, 8th ed.
The Executor’s Handbook, 5th ed.
Although new items are placed in our reserve collection, they are still available for borrowing for a 48 hour period.
by Karen Sawatzky | Jul 13, 2017 | Continuing Professional Development
The Law Society is offering replays of some of our most popular programs. If you didn’t have time to see them earlier in the year, or they sold out before you got around to registering, now’s your chance.
These programs are replays of previously recorded live presentations. Refreshments not included, but feel free to bring your own.
by Karen Sawatzky | Jul 7, 2017 | Criminal Law, Delay
The Manitoba Court of Appeal released a decision that contained a significant analysis of what constitutes a delay in court proceedings, and whether it warrants a dismissal. R. v. Schenkels, 2017 MBCA 62 originated as an appeal of a conviction by a jury for aggravated sexual assault, but also claims delay. Hamilton, J.A. also cites the even more recent Supreme Court of Canada decision of R. v. Cody, 2017 SCC 31.
These decisions demonstrate how long it takes for a matter to go from a charge to an acquittal or conviction. Guidance from the Court of Appeal should help keep it in check.
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