Law 201
Judges are bound to follow statements of principle determined by higher courts in the same jurisdiction, and decisions from the Supreme Court of Canada
Stare Decisis
Primary form of legislation
Statutes
- A statute is first introduced as a bill in either the house of commons or in the senate - Public Bill: 1) Government bills 2) Private member's bills - Private bills: Introduced and sponsored by government, opposition or senate member and deals with private matter - A federal bill requires 6 readings, 3 in the HOC and 3 in the Senate, followed by Royal Assent
Statutes and Bills
Liability even though acted reasonable, no proof of fault
Strict Liability
- Rules of criminal liability - Crown must prove an act element (actus reus) and a mental or fault elements (mens rea) - Must occur at the same time
Substantive Criminal Law
Core rights and obligations regulation behavior
Substantive Law
- Least serious - Tried by a provincial court judge - No jury - Up to a fine of $5,000 and 6 months in jail - 6 month limitation period - Public nudity
Summary Convictions
A civil wrong between individuals for which the victim can get some legal remedy in the private law system Examples - Accidents - Medical malpractice - Environmental disasters
Tort
- Contract law - Property law
Tort Law
Assault: psychological tort not requiring actual physical contact, if the plaintiff is threatened and apprehends harmful physical contact from the defendant, and in the end defendant has the mean to carry out the threat, assault has occurred Battery: requires the actual occurrence of harmful or offensive physical contact False imprisonment: When one person totally restrains the movement of another person
Trespass to Person
Governs relationship between persons
Private Law
Regulate who has shares
Private companies:
Rules relating to process
Procedural Law
A person who wants to sell her property agrees to finance the purchase herself, because the purchaser can't pay the full amount at the time
Agreement for Sale
Every piece of property that is owned was one unwoned
Alienability
- The main functions of contract: to permit people who are strangers to one another to make non-simultaneous exchanges
Contract Purpose
Birds of a feather flock together- does the person riding the horse fit the theme?
Ejusdem Generis
Acting unreasonably, an accident
Negligence
- The accused has the right to make a full answer and defence in response to criminal charges
Right to full answer and defence
Include the right to make reasonable use of the water near a property
Riparian Rights
with and, the phrase is conjunctive and all items in the list must be satisfied; with Or, the phrase is disjunctive and any one item is good
And and Or
If the marriage is void - Non consummation
Annulment
Include special terms called conditions precedent which delays the start of performance of the contract until a defined event occurs
Contingent Agreements
An agreement that the law will enforce
Contract
-Detention has been defined under both sections 9 and 10 to include detention with respect to a demand or direction - A detained person has the right under S.10 to seek habea corupus and to be released if the detention is not lawful
Arbitrary Detention and Imprisonment
Work for 10 months
Articling
When the person charged has been previously acquitted with respect to the charge
Autrefois Acquit
Available when the person charged has been previously convicted with respect to the charge
Autrefois Convict
the accused must: 1) Obtain disclosure of all the Crown's relevant evidence against the accused 2) Have a pretrial hearing conference 3) Discuss how to plead to the offence 4) Consider whether a plea bargain should be negotiated 5) Elect the mode of trial 6) Consider whether to have a preliminary inquiry 7) Decide whether the accused will testify at his trial
Before the trial begins
Both parties make a promise
Bilateral Contract
Contracts in the form of a promise for a promise - Not bound to each other until the act of acceptance commences
Bilateral Contracts
Statutory and common law
2 main sources of law in Ontario
1) negligence 2) intentional torts 3) strict liability
3 main categories of torts
They are arrested, they are asked to take a breath sample, they think they have no choice but to comply with police
A person is detained when:
1) it has been overrule by an even higher court 2) is no longer applicable because of changed circumstances 3) was poorly reasoned 4) has been re interpreted
A precedent is not binding if:
A hearing in front of a provincial judge to see if the Crown has enough evidence to allow the trial of the accused in an indictable offence to go forward
A preliminary inquiry is:
False
A violation of s.8 of the Charter always results in the exclusion of evidence:
- Overrepresented - 4% of Canada's population, but 23% of federal inmates
Aboriginal People in the Criminal Justice System
- Constitutional recognition did not occur until 1982 - The Colonial Legacy: S. 91(24) allocated power to the Federal government with regards to Indians and lands reserved for Indians - The Calder Case brought by the Nisga Clan to claim traditional lands in BC was important - Supreme court didn't grant Nisga Clan their land, they recognized Aboriginal claims Section 35 recognizes and affirms existing Aboriginal rights: - Includes Indian, Inuit and Metis people
Aboriginal Rights
The signification of an unconditional intention to be bound to precisely the terms of the offer - If the response isn't a mirror image of the offer and certain terms are changed, it is known as a counter offer
Acceptance
- Always defined in the statute - Often broadly defined - Can include overt acts - An attempt to commit an offence - An unfulfilled crime - Entering a conspiracy - Counselling someone to commit an offence
Actus Reus
Based on the idea that truth will be best determined when lawyers oppose each other in court and present their cases for a judge: 1) Legislation 2) Decisions of the courts
Adversarial System
no single source, can be found in common law, provincial legislation, federal legislation, national
Advertising law
For the purposes of contract law, an agreement is formed by an offer followed by an acceptance
Agreement
Cannot be changes by ordinary federal or provincial legislation - all laws in the Constitution are entrenched
Constitutionally Entrenched Statutes
Specific bill for terrorism that the government has created. The CBA objects to the bill in the view that the bill is too broad, restricts free speech, criminalizes the legitimate expression of freedom, puts the Charter in jeopardy
Bill C-51
- Soenen performed a hysterectomy on Bollman - The judge found the appellant met the standard of care but operated without informed consent and was negligent - An appeal was then filed
Bollman vs Soenen
A lawyer cant represent one client whose interest are directly adverse to the immediate interests of another client, lawyers firm is also subject to this rule
Bright Line Rules
Builders use to secure amounts owed them for work done on landowners property
Builders' Lien
In common law systems, how might a judge find a new law?
By creating a new precedent
False
CanLii is an organization devoted to developing legal literacy for Canadians:
Allocates power between the federal and provincial governments
Canada's Constitutional Division of powers:
- Adults with a sentence of less than 2 years serve in a provincial or territorial correctional facility - Adults with a sentence over 2 years serve in federal institutions
Canada's Correctional System
1) Constitution Act 1867: statute that brought together 3 colonies (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the Province of Canada (Ontario and Quebec)) and created Canada in 1867 2. Statute of Westminister 1931: confirmed Canada's legislative autonomy, and also recognized Canada's legislative equality with Britain 3. Canada Act 1982: When the UK gave up all legislative power over Canada 4. Constitution Act 1982: Contains a revised constitution, includes the supremacy clause
Canada's Key Constitutional Statutes
FIRAC
Case Briefs
- "But for" the wrongdoer's breach of the standard of care, would the victim have suffered harm? - The breach must cause harm - Does not have to be the only cause
Causation
- If important terms are vague or uncertain in the contract the court cannot ascribe any reasonable meaning to them, then the whole contract is void
Certainty of terms
s1. Constitutional protection within reasonable limits s2. Fundamental freedoms s3-5. Democratic rights s.6. Mobility rights s.7-14. Legal rights s.15. Equality rights s.16-23. Official language and minority language and education rights s.24. Enforcement and remedies s.32. Application s.33. Notwithstanding clause: explicitly acting in a way that violates charter rights
Charter Structure
s.11 includes the right: 1) to be tried within a reasonable time 2) not to be compelled to be a witness in proceedings against that person in respect of the offence 3) to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law in a fair and public hearing 4) to trial by jury where the maximum punishment for the offence is imprisonment for 5 years or more 5) protection from double jeopardy
Charter and Criminal Trial Process
Requires an ethic of service from lawyers
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Beverly McLachlins aid that becoming a lawyer:
- Based on gross income of the payor parent and number of kids
Child Support Guidelines
- Includes person who stands in the place of a parent - Most commonly a step parent - Child support must be paid until the child reaches the age of majority - Children over 18 can be dependant if they can't support them selves
Children in Divorce
The right to sue someone from an unpaid debt or other liability
Chose in Action (Personal property)
- Hears all civil proceedings in Ontario including commercial, personal injury, bankruptcy, wills and estates - Also has some appellate (reversing) jurisdiction under various statutes
Civil Jusisdiction
- Civil code - Private law matters - In Canada, France's Code Civil was the most influential
Civil Law
Allowed same sex partners to marry
Civil Marriage Act 2005
- Private (2 individuals) - Goal is to compensate - Proof: balance of probabilities, to prove a tort against someone else, you have to prove that its more likely than not the person committed the tort - 6 jurors - Plaintiff vs. Defendant
Civil Wrongs- Torts
All co owners have equal rights of possession and use
Co-Ownership
- Developed by governing bodies for lawyers in common law jurisdictions to guide their members - Law societies take disciplinary action against those who breach the codes Lawyers: - almost every law society has a code like the CBA - the Federation of Law Societies of Canada (FLSC) adopted the Model Code of Professional Conduct
Codes of Conduct
Precedents- Applying an earlier judicial decision if its similar Stare Decisis- Cases that are alike should be treated alike
Common Law
no dividend right
Common Shares
- Exchange of something valuable by each side - The price paid for another's promise
Consideration
- Both written and unwritten elements - Constitutional Principles are not part of the constitution, but are important - Constitutional Architecture- implies by written elements - Constitutional Conventions - Constitutional law is entrenched and supreme law
Constitution
1) Intention to be bound in law 2) Consideration
Contract Enforceability
- Contract rights arise out of a contract and only affect those who have entered into the contract - Property rights are good against the world, no one can enter your property without your permission, whether they have agreed to it or not
Contract rights vs. Property rights
It is the plaintiff's own fault she is harmed
Contributory Negligence
- Anti social - Harmful - Present a serous risk of harm - Civil law concerns wrongs against individuals, while criminal law deals with wrongs against society Example: Breaching a vehicle contract vs stealing a vehicle - If the vehicle is stolen, the owner of the care does not gain anything from the defendant's punishment - Society punishes these acts to discourage them from happening
Criminal Acts are
Between the state and the accused: Regina versus Smith - Must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt Examples - Murder - Sexual Assault - Fraud - Theft - Tax Evasion - Forgery - Willful promotion of hatred Punishments include: - Prison - Probation - Absolute or conditional discharge - Conditional sentence (house arrest) - Fines Point? - Deterrence - Message to society - Made unable to commit another crime - Rehabilitation
Criminal Case
- Superior court has the power to try any indictable offence under the criminal code - Generally only tries most serious offences - Also hears appeals from summary conviction cases
Criminal Jurisdiction
- Prohibits certain acts - In the public interests - Imposes punishments when those acts are committed - Wrongs against society
Criminal Law
- Public (state vs individual) - Goal is to punish and deter - Proof: beyond a reasonable doubt - Prosecutor vs. Accused
Criminal Offences
- Governs the conduct of a criminal case from investigation to appeal - Rights of accused cover about 20% of the charter - Any just and appropriate remedy is under s.24(1) - Evidence is excluded under s.24(2)
Criminal Procedure
- Police officer may issue an appearance notice to the accused at the scene of offence - The accused can sometimes be brought to court by a summons, this requires the accused to attend court on a certain date - The third way of bringing the accused before court is for a justice to issue a warrant for their arrest - For offences not listed in s.469, the accused must be taken for a bail hearing within 24 hours of arrest
Criminal Trial Process
He who owns the soil also owns from the heavens to the depths
Cujus est colum eius usque ad coelum et ad infenos
- Dalhousie sued the estate of a deceased man after he failed to pay $50000 - The law rejected the suit, they stated that the exchange never occurred
Dalhousie College v Boutilier Estate
- Putting the person back to the place they were 1) personal injury - Cost of future care - Lost earning capacity - Non pecuniary damages (pain and suffering- $100,000 in 1978 cap) - Claim for family members income dependency - Claim for family members loss of care, guidance and companionship 2) property damage
Damages
Formal documents showing evidence of ownership - Used to ensure the nemo dat principle is not commonly enacted; the purchase of a possession from someone who has no ownership right to it also denies the purchaser any ownership title
Deeds
Self defence: states that a person is not guilty, a) he believes on reasonable grounds the force is being used against him, b) the act that constitutes the offence is committed for the purpose of defending or protecting them and c) the act is reasonable in the circumstances Consent: the accused must prove that the alleged victim freely consented Provocation:Only available where the accused is charged with murder and does not result in acquittal but rather in a lesser offence Duress: The accused was compelled to commit a crime as a result of threats of immediate death or bodily harm Mental Disorder: No person is criminally responsible for a criminal act made while suffering from a mental disorder
Defences
- Self defence - Duress - Necessity - Provocation - Automatism - Mental disorder
Defences that excuse or justify criminal acts:
Defines specific words and phrases in the contract
Definition Clause
1) Law must have supremacy over the influence or arbitrary power 2) No one is above the law 3) Personal rights and liberties must be protected by giving every person the ability to the courts
Dicey's 3 Core Rule of Law Principles
- Crown must disclose all relevant evidence in its possession to the accused
Disclosure
- Appellate branch of the Superior Court - Primary form for judicial review in Ontario - Also hears family and civil appeals
Divisional Court Jurisdiction
Federal statute, ground- s. 8 Divorce Act - 1 year separate and apart - Adultery of other party - Must not have been condoned - Often admitted but prove by opportunity and inclination - Cruelty of other party- physical or mental - Requires reasonable provision for child support - Mostly uncontested
Divorce Act 1995
No
Does it cost money in Ontario to look up federal statutes?
No
Does it cost money to look up Ontario Federal statutes?
Law of specific state
Domestic Law
When one of the parties entered into the agreement agains their will
Duress
- Integrity - Courtesy and Good Faith
Duties to the Profession and to the General Public
The neighbour principle - The Anns/Cooper test: 1) first branch: foreseeability and proximity 2) second branch: policy- does this class of person have a duty not to harm another class of person?
Duty of Care
1. Title 2. Chapter number or citation 3. Table of contents 4. Preamble 5. Parts 6. Sections also called provisions - Definition section - Enabling section - Consequential Amendment Section - Commencement Section
Elements of a statute
can not be easily changes except according to special processes set on in the Constitution Act itself
Entrenched
The amount of effects born must be equal
Equality (property)
Limits the liability of one of the parties either a fixed dollar amount or for certain types of breaches- altogether
Exclusion Clauses
Contracts that are fully performed
Executed Contracts
The rule of the common law is that where a party sustains a loss by reason of a breach of contract, he is, so far as money can do it, to be placed in the same situation, with respect to damages as if the contract had been performed Example: you hire a contractor to shape your house into a shoe for $175,000, but he quits, another contractor is willing to do it for $200,000
Expectation Damages
Attempt to place the innocent part in the position they would have been in if the contract had been performed - Special damages- out of pocket damages that have already been incurred and are certain - General damages- the value of a lost expectation that is not quantifiable - Liquidated damages- damages that the parties have calculated in advance - Punitive damages- designed to punish the defendant for socially objectionable behaviour
Expectation Damages (contract remedies)
Included in contract
Express Terms
Saying one thing might exclude others
Expressio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius
Dictionaries, legal thesaurus, if desperate- Hansard (debates in the House of Commons)
External Aids
A landowner can cause their neighbour to bear a certain number of effects, but only a fair amount of effects
Fairness (property)
- Divided between the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Jusitce
Family Jurisdiction
- Less than 2% of family law cases go to trial
Family Justice Process
- Child and spousal support orders are usually enforced by the Family Responsibility Office - To enforce the FRO canL - Garnish wages, seize property, suspend drivers license
Family Responsibility Office
If the federal and provincial laws conflict with regards to a single activity, federal paramountcy suspends the operation of the provincial law, so only the federal law is functioning
Federal Paramountcy
- Trade and Commerce, criminal law and more
Federal Powers
Divides jurisdiction between: 1. Provincial powers protect regional interests 2. Federal powers serve national interests Sections 91 and 92 of the Constitution Act divide jurisdiction between Federal and Provincial governments, it is exhaustive, meaning there is jurisdiction to enact every type of law
Federal System of Governmnet
1. competing act- false advertising 2. Consumer packaging and labelling act- accurate identification of products 3. Food and drugs act 4. Privacy legislation-PIPEDA
Federal consumer protection laws
- The division of power amongst the federal government and the provinces - The decision to adopt a federal form of government rather than a legislative union was based upon the willingness for the French-Canadian province and the Maritimes to surrender their individual identity
Federalism
Has the right to possess the land and to build on it, alongside the power to transfer the state to others while alive (inter vivos) and to transfer in a will
Fee Sample Ownership
- Protects purchaser of insurance - Property insurance - No fault automobile insurance - Disability insurance - Life insurance
First Party
- Building the hotel that blocked the sun from the property
Fontainebleau v. 4525
- All provinces and territories have legislation requiring certain kinds of contracts to be in writing and to contain certain information
Formal Requirements
Form of ownership that does not involve an obligation to pay rent
Freehold Interests
Manage business together, equal in everything, liable for each other
General Partnerships
Use natural meaning unless this makes no sense
Golden Rule
Acting extremely unreasonable
Gross Negligence
What would prevent a lawyer from being considered for an appointment as a judge of the Ontario Provincial Court?
Having an unresolved Error and Omission Claim on file at the Law Society of Upper Canada
File a patent, memorandum of association or articles of incorporation, must include NUANS about name
How do you create a corporation?
- Everyone who practices 1) any for of polygamy 2) Any kind of conjugal union with more than one person at the same time - BC reference case on Polygamy: 2011 decisions upheld validity of Criminal Code s. 293
Polygamy provision of Criminal Code
Each spouse keeps their own property, but must share equally any increase in value of their property that occurred during the marriage or any property acquired during the marriage, except gifts, inheritances and the matrimonial home
How is property divided amongst couple in divorce?
Moral Activism: Lawyers cannot claim moral absolution for unquestioningly assisting their clients in unjust acts Moral Isolationism: Neutral partisan lawyers leave the ultimate moral judgement to the client, moral activist lawyers reserve that judgement for themselves
How the Butler was made to do it
4 years of school, but some allow after 3, law school admission test, after graduating, lawyers enter articling programs or LPP, and then are called to the Bar
How to Become a Lawyer
- Tried as either summary or indictable - The crown chooses - Assault
Hybrid Offences
Terms that the parties have not expressed in their contract, but are part of the deal Terms implied in fact: terms that the parties would have agreed to if they have put their minds to it Terms implied in law: terms automatically parts of contract owing to the nature of the contract and the laws regulating the area in question Terms implied by custom or usage: based on industry standards for similar types of contracts
Implied Terms
1) infants 2) individuals who are deemed to be mentally incompetent
Incapacity
- Most serious - Stiff penalties - Stipulates maximum convictions, never minimum - Tried by a judge and jury or just judge - Provincial court (without jury) or the superior court (with jury) - No limitation period - Aggravated assault
Indictable Offences
- Owns separate area of law: - Borrows much from contract law - Special set of principles to interpret insurance policy language - Liability insurance - Homeowners, auto, commercial liability - Tort or behaviour insurance - Tort is the trigger for the contract
Insurance Law
Copyright: the right to copy, which only belongs to the copyright owner - lasts for life of the creator plus 50 years Industrial Rights: A design used in making an object by hand, tool or machine - Protected for up to 10 years if registered with CIPO Patent:A right that the government grants to an inventor to prevent others from using his or her invention - Protected for up to 20 years after filing Trademark:Distinguishes the goods and services of a person, business or organization from those of others in the marketplace - Exclusive right to use the trademark throughout Canada for 15 years and then is renewable
Intellectual Property
Can not be a mere "Gentleman's Agreement"; both parties consent to sanctions under the law in the case of breach of contract
Intention to be bound in law
Intended harm
Intentional Tort
- In commercial settings, it is presumed that the parties did intent a legally binding relationship; can be rebutted by clear language to contrary if the parties want the arrangement to be in honour and not binding - In family and social settings, it is presumed that the parties did not intend a legally binding relationship
Intentions to Contract
Any right, claim or privilege that an individual has with respect to real or personal property
Interest
Definition section of the Acr
Internal Aids
Take into account the object of enactment (mischief rule) the words with which it is expressed (literal rule) and the harmony among its provisions and other statutes (golden rule)- Driedger
Interpretation
They have spousal status for federal purposes and are eligible for provincial spousal support
Isabel and John are unmarried cohabitants living in Ontario. They have lived together for two years and are the parents of a baby girl. Which of the following is true?
- A builder had been contracted to build a costly country residence with lots of detail - The builder installed the wrong bran of pipe - Evidence showed that the wrong brand of pipe had no discernible difference to the correct brand of pipe
Jacob and Youngs v Kent
Shared decision making
Joint Legal Custody
Equal time with each parent
Joint Physical custody
1) Possession: equal right to possess the entire property 2) interests: interest of each co-owner must be identical in terms of nature, extent and duration 3) Time: receive interests at the same time 4) Title: must receive their interests under the same instruments
Joint Tenancy
A shared project that isn't a partnership
Joint ventures
- Solicitor work - Dependent on the legislative rules within the particular jurisdiction - Some notaries can act independently of lawyers - In most jurisdictions, lawyers are automatically notaries - Non lawyers can become notaries after an exam
Notaries
When you interfere with the use and enjoyment of one's land
Nuisance (property)
- Federal appointment and provincial - Heather Smith- first female chief of justice of Ontario's superior court Federal Appointment- Inherent Jurisdiction 1) Can take jurisdiction over matters not assigned elsewhere 2) Matters assigned by statue 3) Divorce 4) Civil disputes 5) Serious criminal matters Provincial Appointment- No inherent jurisdiction 1) Only power as assigned by statue 2) Exclusive jurisdiction over child protection 3) Custody, child support, and spousal support not related to divorce 4) Less serious criminal matters, no civil cases Judges must have contributed to the profession, clean discipline record, 10 years as a lawyer
Judge Appointment
- JAAC was formally established in 1995 - Legislation requires the composition of the committee to reflect the diversity of Ontario's population - The Committee includes: 7 lay members, 2 judges, one member appointed by the Ontario Judicial Council, 3 members from the legal community
Judicial Appointment Advisory Committee
Double aspect- different elements of the action will be accounted for by different jurisdictions Example- drunk driving is a federal aspect and property and civil rights is the provincial aspect
Jurisdiction Overlap
- US federal court rules that Utah anti polygamy law that prohibits polygamous cohabitation violates freedom of religiion
Kody Brown V Buhman
- A massive train accident caused severe damage to a town, killing people - Train exploded due to unlawful conduct - Both a tort and criminal law - Tort of negligence - Regulatory offence, or quasi criminal offence
Lac Megantic Case
Candidates must complete this or articling to become lawyers
Law Practice Program
Duty to the State: - Encouraging public respect for and trying to improve the administration of justice Duty to the Court: - Lawyers can be held liable for civil or criminal contempt or misconduct Ethics of Advocacy: - Lawyer's need to balance their obligation to the court and to others 1) Organization and Accused Persons: the lawyer must disclose fraud or illegal activity to the chief legal officer, if the advice isn't followed, the lawyer must withdraw from representing the client, if the accused admits to the crime, the lawyer must set up a case consistent with the admission 2) Criminal Prosecution and family matter: - With family law the process wont always lead to the best outcome even if a lawyer argues for it 3) Withdrawing from Cases: - Must withdraw if she is discharged from client, client wants her to violate professional ethics, finds herself not competent to handle the file 4) Delaying Tactics: - Tactics to delay or embarrass are unethical 5) Duty to Settle: - If a fair result is possible, the lawyers should encourage a settlement 6) Use of Evidence: - No false evidence
Lawyer's Ethical Duties
- If the information was passed between a lawyer and a client in a formal setting, it qualifies as confidential - Exception: imminent risk of death or serious bodily harm, disclosure must be the only way to prevent the harm
Lawyer- Client Confidentiality
Implies an obligation to pay rent
Leasehold Interests
The elected House of Commons and appointed senate at the federal level and the elected legislatures at the provincial level; have the constitutional authority to make laws in the form of legislation
Legislative Branch
The transference of land to someone for their entire life; when the original tenant passes, rights are reverted back to the fee simple owner - Cannot be inherited but can be transferred inter vivos - Sometimes life estates are defeasible: can be terminated if certain conditions are not met
Life Estates
Not liable for each other
Limited liability partnership
Not all participate in the business, they raise money, roles become blurred
Limited partnership
Natural and ordinary meaning
Literal Rule
- Subjective mens rea: what was in their mind? - Objective mens rea: what would a reasonable person do? Beaver Case- the crown could prove the act element (possessing heroin) but not the fault element (knowing he had heroin)
Men Rea
Activities of military personelle
Military law
Intention of legislation
Mischief Rule
Innocent: made without knowing the information was untrue Negligent: Made without knowing the information was untrue, but made under circumstances where the party ought to have known the information was untrue Fraudulent: Made while knowing the information was untrue or at least while knowing there was a serious risk it was untrue
Misrepresentation
A summary of all the rules Putting this into action: 1) literal meaning: start with the meaning of the words 2) context: put words into context 3) purpose of the act: what is the overall purpose
Modern Rule
A kind of charge against a land that secures a debt owed by the landowner
Mortgage
with must, the provision in the statute is mandatory; with may, the judge has discretion to do or not do a certain thing and is discretionary
Must and May
- Concern for the liability of occupiers of land for injuries that visitors sustain while on the property - Four main categories of entrant: 1)Trespasser 2) Licensee 3) Invitee 4) Contractual Entrant -Required level of care increases with each category
Occupier's liability
The communication by one party (the offeror) to another party (the offeree) of an intention to be bound to certain terms, upon the payment by the offeree - An offer is always one step away from an agreement - Objective intention: what a reasonable person would think was intended by the parties based on what they said and did - Subjective intern: what the parties actually believed in their minds
Offer
States competent lawyer means a lawyer who has and applies relevant knowledge, skills and attributes in an appropriate matter for the client
Ontario Rules for Professional Conduct Rule 3.1-1
12
Ontario lawyers are required to complete how many hours of continuing legal education annually?
Appeals from the small claims court and the superior court interim go to the Ontario Divisional Court, while appeals from the Provincial court of Justice go to the Ontario Court of Appeal
Ontario's Court System
Whereby an offer makes a binding promise to keep an offer open for a fixed period of time during which, at any point, the option holder can accept the offer
Options and Deeds
- Traced to ancient Greece, where they used orators to argue on their behalf - Not until Claudies in Ancient Rome when the practice of law was professionalized - The legal profession was firmly established in the Byzantine Empire
Origins of the Legal Profession
Rights
Owners have:
false
Paralegal in Ontario can perform the same function as lawyers:
- A person who is qualified by education and experience to perform specifically delegated substantive and procedural legal work while being supervised by a lawyer - In Ontario, they can practice without lawyers - Lawyers have responsibility for paralegals working under them
Paralegals
The offence and the penalty are forgiven
Pardon
- Doctrine holding that Parliament has total power - Implies 3 principles: 1) Parliament can make or unmake any law 2) Parliament cannot bind itself against using its power in the future 3) A procedurally valid Act of Parliament cannot be questioned by the courts However 1) We are a federation with legislative power split between two levels of government 2) We have entrenched Charter that limits power of legislation 3) Power to amend the constitution lies outside the sole jurisdiction
Parliamentary Sovereignty
- A person who assists can be convicted - Aid: acting as a lookout, distraction - Albet: encouraging or procuring the commission of a crime - Section 21(2) provides that one two or more people have formed a comment intent to carry out a crime, they are guilty of every offence each other commits
Participation in Crimes
Tangible, movable objects like computers and cars and shares in companies
Personal Property
Provides for the registration of a creditor's interest in personal property that the debt controls or possesses
Personal Property Security
- Personal rights are also good against the world, you have the right that others not touch, harm, assault you -Personal rights are granted at birth and always rights - You must acquire property rights
Personal rights vs. Property rights
- Fox issues
Pierson v. Post
- 3 levels of police forces - Federal police force is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Majority of police officers are part of the municipal forces - section 24(2) limits the investigatory powers
Police Investigations of Crime
No voting right, superior dividend right
Preferred shares
- You are in charge of what you own - You rather than others, decide what to do with your property Example- Edward v. Lee's Administrator- The cave
Property
- Home and other real estate - Car - Personal items - Household items - Bank accounts - Any business shares Excluded property - gifts - inheritances Property division concerns the value of property acquired during the marriage
Property in Divorce
- Smaller criminal matters - Exclusive jurisdiction over child protection and adoption - Custody, child support, spousal support, as long as no divorce claimed - Cannot grant divorce - Cannot make orders regarding property - No inherent jurisdiction
Provincial Courts
- Property and civil rights, hospitals and more
Provincial Powers
- Can only be passed while legislature is in sessions, sessions lasting 1-2 years on average, but up to 5 years - Very similar process to making federal statues - they only require 3 readings, only one chamber, no senate
Provincial Statutes
- Workers' compensation - Employment insurance - Health insurance - Provincial disability insurance - Criminal injuries compensation - Government compensation
Public Insurance
Laws governing relations between states
Public International Law
Governs relationship between state and person
Public Law
Allow anyone to have shares, more regulated
Public companies:
- Individuals rights with the state - Criminal law - Constitutional law - Administrative law
Public law
Extravagant claims not reasonably taken literally Example: Pepsi Points to buy a Harrier Fighter Jet ruled as puffery
Puff
- Coverage- personal liability- bodily injury or property damage arising out of your personal activities anywhere in the world - Insured= while living in the same household= anyone under 21 Exclusion: bodily injury caused by any intentional or criminal act or failure to act The shooting was an example of a criminal act, Ryan could not receive any money despite proving the tort
R.E V Wawanesa Inc. Co
- In a case where the seller has hired the agent, agency rules dictate that the primary responsibility and loyalty must be to the seller -Relationship between real estate agents and other parties in the real estate transaction involved many contractual and fiduciary obligations - Conveyancing: the actual transfer of title after the contract is entered into
Real Estate Transaction
- Refers to land and also includes anything attached to land
Real Property
You can not ask your neighbour to put up with something you would not put up with
Reasonability (property)
Conscious, unreasonable carelessness
Recklessness
Applies when the parties have made a mistake in recording the terms of their contract in a written document, involved an order that the contract be rewritten as as to correct the mistake
Rectification
- Not true criminal offences - Meant to regulate conduct in the public interest, not to punish wrongful acts - Enacted by federal parliament, provinces and municipalities - Usually a fine - Traffic offence
Regulatory Offences
permissive or restrictive
Regulatory laws are:
Cover expenses that the innocent party paid over to the other parts
Reliance Damages
1) Damages: a monetary reward (most common) 2) Specific performance: a coercive remedy where the court orders a person to do as they said they would do
Remedies for Breach of Contract
- Test is reasonable foreseeability - A policy check on torts - Do not have to foresee the precise way an accident occurs
Remoteness
The contract is cancelled and the parties are returned to the positions they were in before the contract started
Rescission
can also make laws outside the terms set out in the Constitution if it is for the peace, order and general good of the country
Residual POGG power
can also make laws outside of terms set out in the constitution if it is a matter of concern for the property or territory PROBLEM: a problem that arises when analyzing if a government is staying within their own area of jurisdiction is the problem of validity
Residual Power on Matters of a Local and Private Nature
Cover money that the innocent party paid over to the other part
Restitution Damages
On the death of one co-owner, the remaining co-owner automatically inherits their share
Right of Survivorship
-s.10 of the charter provides those who are subjected to arrest or dentition with both a right to retain and instruct counsel without delay and a right to be informed of that right - s.10 also requires a person be informed promptly of the reason for detention or arrest
Right to Counsel
If the accused faces 5 years or more
Right to a jury trial
Final step of the legislative process and the formal means by which a bill passed by the Legislative Assembly becomes a law - 2001 Royal Assent Act enables Royal Assent to be signified by written declaration
Royal Assent
- A person who brings a dangerous substance onto his property is answerable for damages it causes if it should escape - Wild animals are always dangerous and their owners are strictly liablity
Rylands v. Fletcher
Limits can be imposed - Oakes test- step by step process undertaken by government 1) Limits must be prescribed by law 2) Law must have valid purpose 3) Proportionality in the means of the government is using in pursuing their objective: - Rational connection - Minimal Impairment - Final Balance
Section 1
The right to counsel
Section 10
Specific rights when a person had been charged
Section 11
The right not be subjected to any cruel and unusual treatment or punishment
Section 12
Equality rights: - Does not apply to every way the government treats individuals differently, only distinctions that relate to personal characteristics that are enumerates in S.15, or analogous t o these characters
Section 15
Freedom of expression: - Protects any expressive activity that attempts to convey meaning, but does not extent to include freedom of violence or threats of violence
Section 2
General, includes aboriginal, gender equality
Section 25-31
Mobility rights
Section 6
The right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice
Section 7
The right to be secure against unreasonable search of seizure - need a warrant
Section 8
The right to not be arbitrarily detained or imprisoned
Section 9
- A judge must consider aggravating circumstances related to the offence or the offender that increase seriousness Example- evidence was motivated by bias or hate on grounds of discrimination - Mitigating circumstance decreases the seriousness of the offence, which may result in a reduced sentence Example- whether the offender corporate with police or showed remorse
Sentencing
A sole practitioner is approached by a new client who asks her for legal advice. She looks into her records and discovers that she is working on another case for a client whose interests are adverse to this new client. She is a practitioner in a small town and could use the money; she really wants to take on this new client. The lawyer would be respecting the duty she owes to both parties if she does the following:
She provides full disclosure to both clients and receives their consent, and hold the reasonable belief that she can represent the interests of both clients without adversely affection the interests of either one
Do not use what is yours to injure your neighbour
Sic utere tua ut non alienum laedas
- 45% of all civil cases - cost efficient - Plaintiff and defendant - 4 steps in making a claim: 1. Completing the Plaintiff's Claim form 2. Filling the Plaintiff's claim 3. Paying court fees 4. Serving the Plaintiff's Claim 4 Steps in replying to a claim: 1. Completing a defence form 2. Serving the defence form 3. Filing the defence form and any documents that support your claim 4. paying court fees * if the defence isn't filed on time, the court can make a decision against you- the default judgement * Affidavit of Service= careful notes of what happened
Small Claims Court
- Value of claims is $25,000 or less - Small civil claims - Many appeal without a lawyer - Judges are local lawyers appointed part time
Small Claims Court
Most common, 1 director, not a legal entity
Sole Proprietorships
- Exclusive jurisdiction over criminal law and procedure to the parliament of Canada - The criminal code was enacted in 1892 and is the main source - Common law is another primary source of criminal law - Canada Evidence Act: covers witnesses and evidence law - Controlled Drugs and Substances Act: regulates certain kinds of dangerous drugs and narcotics - Youth Criminal Justice Act: deals with young persons who commit crimes in this country
Sources of Canadian Criminal Law
1) statutes 2) Common law 3) Constitution - Section 91(27) gives federal parliament exclusive jurisdiction over substantive criminal law and criminal procedure
Sources of Criminal Law
The court orders the party in breach to perform his obligations as promised
Specific Performance
False
Specific performance is a remedy a court can order in breach of contract cases in which a party is ordered to pay specific damages to the innocent party
In the last 5 years: -7% of women had been assaulted at least once by current partner - 6% of men has been assaulted at least once by current partner - 25% has been assaulted at least once by prior partner More likely in: - lower income - Younger - Aboriginal 30-60% of abusive spouses also abuse their kids
Spousal Abuse
- Only paid in minority of cases - Only a spouse can claim support - Common law relationship for at least 3 years or have a child - Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines
Spousal Support
Used for predictable, uniform, common transactions- situations where individual negotiation would be impractical
Standard Form Contracts
- What is the acceptable standard of care? - Reasonable person test - Was it breached? - probability of loss - Gravity of loss - Burden of accident prevention
Standard of Care
- Larger criminal Matters - No jurisdiction in child protection or adoption - Custody, child support, spousal support, regardless of whether divorce is claimed - Can grant divorce - Can make orders on property - Inherent jurisdiction
Superior Courts
laws that conflict with the constitution are not enforceable
Supreme Law
Unities of interest, time and title are not required for this kind of ownership
Tenancy in Common
Gives the parties the right to end the arrangement, usually by providing a notice of reason
Termination Clause
Supreme Court is the ultimate court of appeal- it hears from the Provincial Courts of Appeal- who hear from the Provincial Superior Court level (no inherent jurisdiction)- The Federal Court of Appeal and the Federal Court Trial Division are both special statutory courts with no inherent jurisdiction Military Courts hear claims agains the army
The Canadian Court System
1) Protect rights and freedoms 2) Constrain government interference with these rights 3) are subject to limits
The Charter
Defines and classifies criminal offences
The Criminal Code:
- Hears appeals from the Superior Court if less than $50,000 - Hears requests for permission to appeal interim orders - Is made of judges from the OSC
The Divisional Court
government officials, like the PM carry out and administer the laws of the legislative branch
The Executive
- Family matters only - One Stop Shopping - Combines the family related functions of the OSCOJ and SC - Spreading throughout the province - Judges are appointed by provincial and federal government at the same time
The Family Court Branch of the OSP
interpreting and enforcing the law, and resolving disputes about the law and constitution
The Judiciary
Singed in 1215 between the English King John and his barons, stating that the King can no longer act in an arbitrary manner, but follow full legal proceedings
The Magna Carta
- While the law insists that an agreement must involve an exchange of value, it does not insists on the fairness of the exchange - Why would Paul McCartney sign an agreement to pay 1$? - To have evidence of the agreement
The Peppercorn Principle
1. Must be applied fairly to all 2. Be created fairly Four Universal Principles: 1. The government and its officials and agents as well as individuals and private entities are accountable under the law. 2. The laws are clear, publicized, stable and just, are applied evenly, and protect fundamental rights, including the security or persons and property. 3. The process by which the laws are enacted, administered and enforces is accessible, fair and efficient 4. Justice is delivered timely by competent, ethical, and independent representatives and neutrals who are of sufficient number, have adequate resources and reflect the makeup of the communities they serve
The Rule of Law
- The charging document describing the offences is called Information in a provincial court - if the trial is in superior court, the charging document is called an Indictment - The trial starts with the arraignment, whereby the charge is read to the accused in an open court
The Trial
False
The headnote of a case gives a summary of the facts, issues and decisions in the case and it is therefore not necessary to read the whole case
An over arching legal principle that applies to all democratic nations
The rule of law is:
Why might some argue that "vague and overly broad language" contained in the new Anti-Terror Bill violated the rule of law?
The rule of law requires that all laws are clearly written and unambiguous in their application
True
The term internal aid means the definition section included in a statute
- Liability insurance of at fault tort feasor - Automobile liability insurance - Reciprocal insurance (universities, hospitals, schools) - Government liability - Umbrella coverage - Broker's insurance
Third Party Liability
You must be a lawyer in good standing for ten years and must complete the application
To apply to become an Ontario Supreme Court Judge
Eliminated the transfer of title by deeds, replacing them with statutory transfer forms
Torrens Systems
- Violation of this right depends on: 1) the length of the delay 2) Explanation for the delay 3) whether the accused has waived their right by consenting to the delay 4) whether the accused has suffered prejudice
Trial in a reasonable time
1) summary conviction 2) Indictable offene 3) Hybrid offence
Types of Criminal Offences
Misfeasance: doing something carelessly - Driving too fast Nonfeasance: not doing something you have an obligation to do - Failure to put a seatbelt on your child
Types of Negligence
Outside the constitutional power of the government that tried to enact it
Ultra Vires
Applies when one party takes advantage of another Requires 2 elements: 1) Inequality of bargaining power 2) An unfair bargain
Unconscionability
- Make laws for the peace, order and good government of Canada - Legislate in relation to Criminal Law and procedure - Legislate in relation to Trade and Commerce
Under the Constitution's division of powers in s. 91 and 92, the federal government has the power to:
When one party has exerted unconscionable use of power over another and has thereby influenced the weaker party to enter the influence (duress light)
Undue Influence
One party makes a promise - Lost dog, if you do not find the dog, you are not breaching the contract, but if you do, you get the award
Unilateral Contract
- Federal purposes after 1 year, treated as spouses - Ontario for spousal support 3 years
Unmarried Cohabitation
- Laws must lie in the jurisdiction of the enacting government to be considered valid - To determine if a law is valid, a government will observe the pith and substance of the law (its purpose and effects) - if it fits into a category that belongs to the other level of government upon completing a validity analysis, it is said to be ultra vires
Validity Analysis
The police do not need a warrant if the person consents to a search or if they are conducting a reasonable search incident to arrest - Evidence obtained under section 8 will not automatically be excluded under the charter, judges will apply the 3 part test: 1) the seriousness of the charter violation 2) the impact of the charter violation on the accused's charter protected interest 3) society's interest in an adjudication of the merits
Warrant
Conspiracy to commit and criminal act
What charge can be brought against another person who agrees with others to commit a crime, even if they crime is never committed?
Gives government the right to create CBCA
What does residual clause do?
The residual clause reserved for the federal government in s.91 of the Constitution Act, 1987.
What is the constitutional basis for the federal government to create the Canada Business Corporations Act to allow for federal corporations?
- Stay the legal proceedings agains the accused - Exclude evidence that was obtained unconstitutionally - Release the accused from prison
Which of the following is a remedy that the courts can provide if an accused's Charter rights are violated by the policy, the prosecutor or correctional service personnel
The right to receive a share of the assets of the corporation on dissolution of the corporation should there by any remaining
Which of the following is a right enjoyed by every shareholder of a corporation?
Section 7
Which section of the charter governs the right to silence?
Both the federal and provincial governments
Who permits the creation of corporations?
The federal, provincial or even municipal government, depending on what activity the bank is undertaking
Who regulates banks in Canada?
Promise for an action - IF
unilateral contract