Law in Quebec - News and commentary about Quebec (and Canadian) legal developments

Quebec Superior Court Rulings June 16, 2018

Orthopaedic surgeon ordered to pay $100,000 to patient after back surgery

An orthopaedic surgeon was ordered by a Quebec court to pay a Quebec City man $100,000 in non-pecuniary damages after he was found to be at fault for one of three back surgeries he performed on the patient.…

Legal business June 16, 2018
Some U.S. law firms use forced arbitration on summer associates

Some major U.S. law firms require their summer associates to sign “forced” arbitration agreements and related nondisclosure agreements related to workplace misconduct, including sexual…
Quebec June 15, 2018
Quebec commissioner calls for strengthening of lobby laws

On the same day the federal lobbying watchdog appealed to Ottawa to provide more funding, the Quebec lobbying commissioner echoed calls by his predecessors…
Quebec Court of Appeal Rulings June 11, 2018
Quebec bill does not apply to Montreal police pension plan

A Quebec bill does not apply to Montreal police defined pension plan, rules Quebec Court of Appeal.…
Rulings Supreme Court of Canada June 11, 2018
Supreme Court holds rioters not solidarily liable for damages to police cars

Rioters who damaged police cars after a Montreal hockey game can only be held liable for the specific damage they caused personally.…
Court of Quebec Rulings June 11, 2018
Quebec judge stays insider trading trial against former Amaya CEO

Gaffes by the Quebec’s financial watchdog prompted a Quebec judge to stay charges of insider trading and market manipulation against former online gambling mogul…
Court of Quebec On the move June 11, 2018
Three Court of Quebec judges appointed

Quebec Minister of Justice Stéphanie Vallée announced the appointment of three more Court of Quebec judges.…
Barreau du Quebec Quebec June 5, 2018
Legal aid eligibility thresholds increased but lawyers still shunning cases

The Quebec government increased legal aid eligibility thresholds by 6.67 per cent, but that’s not good enough, asserts to the Quebec Bar.…
Supreme Court of Canada June 5, 2018
Trials are not tea parties, holds Supreme Court of Canada

In a decision that is bound to spur much debate, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed a series of complaints against a lawyer who…
Criminal justice Quebec Court of Appeal Rulings June 5, 2018
Naturopath found guilty of manslaughter by Quebec Court of Appeal

In a highly unusual and exceptional decision, the Quebec Court of Appeal has overturned a Westmount naturopath’s acquittal and convicted her of manslaughter in the…

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ILA-Canada calls for conference paper proposals

ILA-Canada, the Canadian branch of the International Law Association, is calling for paper proposals for a conference entitled "Participation of Indigenous Peoples in the UNDRIP Implementation in Canada – Prospects and Challenges in Light of Parallel International Law." The conference will be held on September 21, 2018 at Osgoode Hall Law School of York University in Toronto. Proposal abstracts are due by June 30, 2018. More information can be found here.

Quebec financial watchdog seeking provincial court and municipal judge

The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) is seeking candidates to serve on an advisory committee that will examine the practices of representatives pursuing activities under the Act respecting the distribution of financial products and services.

The committee will serve as a forum between the AMF and industry stakeholders involved in the distribution of financial products and services covered by the Distribution Act. Deadline is June 15th. More details can be found here.

Call for papers for the 2019 Baxter Family Competition on Federalism

McGill University’s Faculty of Law and the Peter Mackell Chair in Federalism are seeking original essays related to any aspect of federal theory or practice. Comparative angles to federalism are particularly encouraged. Deadline is January 14, 2019. More information can be found here.

In the same vein, McGill University's Faculty of Law, in conjunction with American Society of International Law International Economic Law Interest Group, the Canadian Council on International Law, and the Centre for International Governance Innovation, are seeking papers on Managing International Economic (Dis)Integration: Challenges and Opportunities. Information can be found here.

Handbook for lawyers on business and human rights

The International Bar Association published a Handbook for Lawyers on Business and Human Rights to provide guidance for business lawyers and their corporate clients on how to address human rights risks in corporate and commercial transactions. It can be read here.

Handbook for young lawyers

The Barreau du Quebec published a handbook for newly sworn in Lawyers. It can be downloaded here.

Quebec Court of Appeal's Guide to Legal Citation

The guide aims to provide the legal community with standardized writing and reference rules. While the rules are not mandatory, the Court "invites" lawyers and litigants to use the rules when writing pleadings, briefs or memoranda they submit to the Court. It's in French only but it does have a useful bilingual lexicon. It can be downloaded here.

A heart-breaking story about a McGill music student who was awarded $350,000 after his girlfriend stalled his career. The story can be read here, and the decision here.

Nearly 19 million people in the world are afflicted with dementia, a figure expected to surge to 41 million by 2050, according to a new report by the OECD. The worldwide health and social costs are projected to reach over US$1 trillion per year in 2018. “People with dementia are failing to live independently in the community because initiatives to make communities safe, accessible and socially inclusive remain fragmented,” according to the report. It can be read here.

The Quebec Human Rights Commission published a study that examines the situation of special needs students within the Quebec school system. In a word, it is “alarming.” It can be downloaded here.

"Law firms in transition 2018." The survey, conducted in March and April 2018, polled managing partners and chairs at 801 US law firms with 50 or more lawyers. It sheds light on industry trends, market demand and competition, productivity, profitability, pricing, efficiency of legal service delivery, lawyer staffing strategies and economic performance. It can be downloaded here.