Great LEXpectations

August 17, 2017

Free Law Project – U.S. Law

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.)

August 14, 2017

Indigenous Heritage and Best Interests of Child – BCCA decision

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

July 25, 2017

New Books in the Library – Wills and Estates Titles

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, 5^th 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.

July 13, 2017

CPD Summer Replays

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.

July 7, 2017July 7, 2017

MBCA analysis on R. v. Jordan

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.