Lerners Appeals Netletter Video Companion - March 2014

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turn of events, the remaining sexual assault charges against former megachurch pastor Bruxy Cavey have been withdrawn in a Hamilton courtroom.

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

The Supreme Court of Canada has clarified the legal test for spoliation, establishing a four-part framework that litigants must understand when preserving evidence. This doctrine, rooted in ancient Roman law, creates a mandatory presumption against parties who intentionally destroy or suppress relevant evidence, with courts now empowered to impose severe but proportionate remedies based on the magnitude of the misconduct.

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.

In Cycle Toronto v Ontario (Attorney General), 2026 ONCA 582, the Ontario Court of Appeal overturned a lower court ruling preventing the government of Ontario from ripping out 19 kilometers of protected bike lines along three major Toronto roadways. The decision underlines the limited role of the courts in reviewing policy-based government decisions.

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

The Court of Appeal for Ontario issued several significant rulings during the week of May 25, 2026, addressing critical issues spanning professional regulation, defamation law, negligence liability, and commercial disputes. These decisions clarify important legal principles regarding costs awards against regulatory bodies, anti-SLAPP motion analysis, occupiers' duties to warn of hidden dangers, and enforcement of settlement agreements in various contexts.

After a collision, a good Samaritan stops and attends the scene to render assistance. He or she is injured in a subsequent collision.

This weekly summary provides comprehensive analysis of civil law decisions from the Ontario Court of Appeal for August 31 to September 4, 2026. The featured cases examine critical issues including distribution orders in investment fraud cases, purchase money resulting trusts, and the enforceability of temporary lay-off clauses in employment agreements.

The latest video from our Class Action Litigation group breaks down key procedural contrasts, new legislative risks, and creative defence strategies shaping pharma litigation in Canada today.

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.

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.

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

When most people hear “child support,” they think of the regular payments from one parent to the other to cover a child’s everyday expenses, such as housing, food, and clothing.

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.

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

Pro Bono Ontario has relaunched its Court of Appeal amicus program, a joint initiative with the Court of Appeal for Ontario designed to support self-represented litigants with motions. The program now allows self-represented litigants to consult with volunteer lawyers before court appearances, and in some cases, these volunteers can make submissions on their behalf before judges.

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