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turn of events, the remaining sexual assault charges against former megachurch pastor Bruxy Cavey have been withdrawn in a Hamilton courtroom.

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...

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 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.

The Alberta Court of King's Bench has confirmed its jurisdiction to grant injunctive relief against the Alberta Energy Regulator despite a broadly worded statutory privative clause. This landmark decision, arising from Sumerian Oil & Gas's application to stay a suspension order affecting approximately 900 wells, represents one of the first considerations of the Supreme Court of Canada's recent Democracy Watch ruling and may significantly impact future disputes involving AER orders.

In a recent and disturbing case, a former teacher from Vaughan has been sentenced to four years in prison for sexually assaulting two teenage boys.

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.

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.

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.

On May 1, 2026, the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) issued its remedy decision in Braganza v. Randstad Canada (LRB Case No. 1768-23-UR), awarding a self-represented applicant $195,833.26 in compensation following a finding of reprisal under section 50 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

The Supreme Court of Canada has established a new tort for intimate partner violence, extending legal recognition beyond physical abuse to include psychological control, financial manipulation, and other coercive tactics. Understanding who can sue, what conduct qualifies, and how courts will assess damages is essential for anyone navigating this emerging area of law.

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.

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

Questions about a person's mental capacity often arise at some of the most difficult moments in a family's life. Adult children may be worried about an aging parent's finances or personal care. Siblings may disagree about whether a parent understood a new will or power of attorney.

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.

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.

A cohabitation agreement can be one of the most effective tools for protecting both partners' financial interests. Recent Ontario cases, however, show that enforceability depends on more than the words on the page. Courts are increasingly scrutinizing how agreements were negotiated, whether the parties understood them, and whether the process was fair.