Lerners Appeals Netletter Video Companion - January 2015

In a significant and disappointing turn of events, the remaining sexual assault charges against former megachurch pastor Bruxy Cavey have been withdrawn in a Hamilton courtroom.

Ontario's Rules of Civil Procedure now include strict amendments requiring lawyers and expert witnesses to certify the authenticity of every citation and authority used in court materials. These new anti-hallucination provisions impose significant penalties for presenting AI-generated fabricated authorities, fundamentally shifting accountability for artificial intelligence use in litigation.

Following are our summaries of the civil decisions of the Court of Appeal for Ontario for the week of September 14, 2026.

A five-year-old firmware defect in Coldcard hardware wallets has enabled attackers to systematically drain an estimated $116 million in Bitcoin from over 5,200 victims since July 2026. This unprecedented exploit raises critical questions about manufacturer liability and creates two distinct legal pathways for recovery: blockchain tracing against the perpetrators and potential litigation against Canadian manufacturer Coinkite for product defects that undermined the fundamental security promise of devices mar

Deepfakes are reaching courts. Learn how a U.S. case dismissed for AI-generated evidence and Canadian authentication rules are changing what litigators must do now.

An application has been filed in Quebec to obtain authorization to institute a class action concerning the drugs Mounjaro, Trulicity, and Zepbound, alleging that the widely used diabetes and weight-loss medications...

The British Columbia Court of Appeal has left open the possibility that pharmaceutical manufacturers may owe a duty of care to develop safer alternatives to their existing products, even when those products are properly approved and labeled. This decision in Gilead Sciences, Inc. v. I.F. contrasts sharply with a recent California Supreme Court ruling that rejected such a "duty to innovate," potentially setting Canada on a divergent path in product liability law.

When a purchaser fails to close on a real estate transaction, any deposit made towards the purchase will be automatically forfeited even where the seller suffered no loss. As a result, the purchaser may be losing out on tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Torts, Defamation, Civil Procedure, Anti-SLAPP, Damages, Costs, Self-Represented Litigants, Full Indemnity, Courts of Justice Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.C.43, s. 136.1, Human Rights...

A Canadian court awarded $800,000 in damages to a couple defamed by serious false allegations of sexual assault and criminal misconduct spread through social media. The case examines how factors like the severity of accusations, use of social media platforms, and a defendant's failure to mount a defense can dramatically escalate defamation damages beyond typical awards.

For many people in Ontario family court, the first case conference can feel uncertain. You may wonder whether anything meaningful can happen at this early stage, especially if disclosure is missing, support is needed, or temporary arrangements are required. While a case conference is not a trial, it can still be an important step in getting the case organized and moving forward.

Ontario manufacturers may be sitting on a significant hidden tax risk. While industrial property values have changed dramatically since 2016,

Law360 Canada (July 29, 2025, 10:01 AM EDT) -- In November 2022, Ontario introduced asignificant shift in municipal governance through amendments to the Municipal Act, 2001, empowering select mayors with new executive authorities known as strong mayor powers.

Separating spouses often enter into separation agreements or marriage contracts that include a waiver of spousal support. These provisions are frequently intended to provide certainty, finality, and closure.

The case, decided on a motion for partial summary judgment, addresses two very important issues in the development of auditors' liability jurisprudence in Canada...

Growing up, becoming a lawyer was not my dream. There are no lawyers in my family, and I didn't know any personally.

A manufacturer secures a significant new opportunity with a major customer. The purchase order supports growth, production increases, and new equipment may be required. On paper, the business case looks strong.

Privacy regulators across Canada are signalling an increased focus on a particular risk area: namely, reliance on service providers.

The Ontario court will give procedural assistance to foreign courts, allowing foreign litigants to examine witnesses and collect evidence in Ontario by enforcing "letters of request" from foreign courts.

For many business owners, the company is their largest asset. In an Ontario divorce, the business itself is usually not divided between spouses, but its value can have a major impact on the equalization payment that one spouse may owe the other.