You and the Law - Helping BC Lawyers attract new clients

BC Columns

Choose from a growing bank of over 220 current law columns - see below for sample titles. Contact Janice Mucalov for a complete list.

BUILDERS LIENS

Beware of Builders Liens When Buying a Home
Hammering Out the Legalities of Repairs and Renovations
Builders Lien Act Affects Everyone in Construction Trade
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BUSINESS & COMMERCIAL

Protecting Your Shareholder Loan
Selling Your Business for the Best Price
Piercing the Corporate Veil
Solutions for Shareholder Disputes
Incorporating a Company Not So Simple
Retiring From Your Business
Company Directors and Officers Can Be Liable
Privacy Rules Affect Your Business
Shareholder's Agreement Important for Private Companies
New Business Corporations Act Now Law
Written Contract Documents the Whole Agreement
Incorporating Your Small Business
Partnership Agreement Important for Business Partners
Buying or Selling a Business
Franchise is a Good Way to Start a Business
Protect Your Trade Secrets From Theft and Competition
Company or Partnership: Which is Best?
Passing Down the Family Business
Directors of Non-Profit Organizations Can Face Personal Liability
Why Fuss Over a Corporate Name?
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CIVIL LITIGATION (GOING TO COURT)

Saying "Sorry" Without Liability
Court Now Cheaper and Easier to Use
There's Much to Consider When Deciding to Sue
Bottled Snail Paves Way for Law of Negligence
Of Chocolate Cake and the Law of Torts
The Law is an Ancient Thing
Bad Trip: Anatomy of a Lawsuit
Class Action Lawsuits
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CRIMINAL

New Truth in Sentencing Law
Drug Evidence and Your Charter Rights
Defending a Drunk Driving Charge
Know Your Rights if Caught Drinking and Driving
Retribution Proper When Considering Criminal Punishment
Main Purpose of Sentencing to Protect Society
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DEFAMATION

Libel vs. Slander: What's the Difference?
Damaging a Reputation Can Be Costly
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DIVORCE & FAMILY

Act Fast to Claim Retroactive Child Support
New Option for Moving With Children
Figuring Out Spousal Support
Finances are Public in Divorce Cases
Spouse Can Get Retroactive Support
Support Orders Are Never Final
Unfair Separation Agreement Tossed Out
A Kinder, Gentler Way to Divorce
Misconduct Increases Spousal Support.
Living "Separate and Apart" in the Same House
Separation Agreement Best in Most Cases
Pre-Nuptial Agreements Are Binding Unless Unfair
Child Support Payments Based on Many Factors
Divorce Will Cost, One Way or Another
Moving is a Troublesome Issue in Custody Cases
Joint Custody Benefits Children
"In Sickness and Health": Marriage Obligations Survive Divorce
When You Separate, Who Should Move Out?
Splitting the Business Can Be a Family Affair
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EMPLOYMENT

Fired in "Bad Faith" Harder to Prove
Bullying Bosses Liable for Big Bucks
Only Employees Can Sue for Wrongful Dismissal
Employees Also on Hook for Quitting
Job Search Required if Given Notice
Employee Fired After Lured Away From Secure Job
Accommodating a Disabled Employee
Dismissing a Disabled Employee
Did She Quit, or Was She Fired?
How Big a Lie Justifies Getting Fired?
Job References Must Be Letter-Perfect
Getting Fired: Pink Slip Protection
Company Downsizing or "Wrongful Dismissal"? You Decide
Fired Employee Wins Extra Severance For Boss' Insensitive Dismissal
Less Skilled Workers Entitled to More Severance Pay
Businesses Can Sue Customers and Clients for "Wrongful Dismissal"
Don't Slack Off if Given Working Notice
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FINANCIAL

Collecting Your Debts
Broke? Consider Bankruptcy
Lending Money to Family
Protecting Your Assets From Creditors
Internal Policies No Excuse for Bank Error
Beware Transferring Funds to Joint Account
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IMMIGRATION

Investing in BC Fastest Way to Immigrate
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INSURANCE & OTHER INJURY CLAIMS

Slipping and Falling on Ice
Breach of ICBC Insurance is Expensive
Negligent Act Must "Cause" the Loss
Who is Responsible for Sports Injuries?
Denying Disability Benefits Costs Insurer
Liability Waiver May Not Hold Up in Court
Party Hosts Must Monitor Guests' Liquor Consumption
Boating Accidents and Marine Injuries
Stores May Be to Blame for Slips and Falls
Ski Hills May Face Liability for Accidents
Duffers Beware! Golfers Liability Explained
Burned House Raises Replacement Insurance Issue
Property Owner May Be Faulted if You Slip and Fall
Exclusions Limit What's Insured: Read Your Policy Carefully
Pubs, Employers and Social Hosts to Blame for Social Drinking Accidents
When is a Player Liable for Their Own Recreational Injury?
Hot Doggers Beware! When Skiers Collide
An Employer's Liquor Liability at Office Functions
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HEALTH & MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

Informed Consent: Doctors Must Disclose Risks
You Have the Right to Refuse Life-Saving Medical Treatment
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MOTOR VEHICLE & PERSONAL INJURY

Video Surveillance Can Impact Your Injury Claim
Car Crash Concussion and its Consequences
Using Your Cell Phone to Prove Accident Liability
Brain Injuries and Their Effects
Medical Exams and Reports in ICBC Cases
Courts Understand Chronic Pain
Two Accidents, But Inseparable Injuries
Compensating Subjective Pain
Crumbling Skull Reduces Damages
Duty to Mitigate Damages
Small Accident, But Big Income Loss
Accident Witness Wins "Nervous Shock" Damages
Credibility Important in Injury Claims
Structured Settlements Good for Some Injuries
ICBC’s “No Crash, No Cash” Policy Not Law
How Do You Compensate for Pain and Suffering?
Accident Benefits for Cyclists and Pedestrians
Law Should Compensate for Grief
"Good Samaritans" Compensated if Injured Helping Others
Pedestrians Must Take Care
Compensation for Diminished Earning Capacity
What to Do if Hurt in a Car Accident
Extra Insurance Protects Against Under-Insured Drivers
Car Accident Victims Get Housekeeping Compensation
Pain and Suffering Awards Boosted on Appeal
Steps in a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Mild Brain Injury is Traumatic for Victim
Family Members Can Claim for Wrongful Death
Court Awards Cut For Not Wearing Seat Belts
Courts Look at Lost Opportunities for Women
Personal Injury Awards Not Like Winning the Lottery
Injured in a Car Accident? ICBC and You
Whiplash Awards Explained
Unfair ICBC Settlements Can Be Changed
Chronic Pain a Legal Sore Spot
Don't Be Too Quick to Settle an Accident Claim
Court Punishes ICBC With Special Costs
Bus Driver Responsible for Passenger's Fall
ICBC Docs Can't Interfere With Your Lawsuit
ICBC Can Discover Too Much Information
Whiplash Complaints Can Linger Indefinitely
Judge vs. Jury: Decisions Often Differ in Personal Injury Cases
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REAL ESTATE

Dangers of Grow-Op Homes
Business Owners: Is Your Lease Protected?
Condo Owners! Check Your Property Insurance
Home Inspector Liable for Structural Problems
Law Helps Homeowners Hit With Mortgage Fraud
Negligent Appraisal Costs Realtor
House Buyers Beware of Defects
Expropriation Law in BC
Use Caution if Renegotiating Real Estate Deal
Delay is Most Common Construction Problem
"Joint and Several Liability" Affects Construction Claims
Much Ado About Title Insurance
Co-Ownership Agreement Key When Investing in Property Together
Avoid Disaster When Buying a Home
Legal Savvy Helps Plug Condo Leaks
Things to Know When Selling Your Home
Don't Foolishly Forfeit Property Rights
Condo Corporations Responsible for Leaky Windows
Negotiate a Better Lease
Owning Property as Joint Tenants vs. Tenants-in-Common
Terms May Be Implied in Real Estate Contracts
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TECHNOLOGY

Cyberlibel: Watch What You Say Online
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WILLS & ESTATES

New Rules for Powers of Attorney and Living Wills
Marriage Revokes Your Will
Rights of Common-Law Couples to Change
Wills and Common-Law Spouses
Passing Down the Family Cottage
Contesting a Will or Estate
Wills Challenges and Second Marriages
Disinheriting a Spouse or Child
Interpreting a Will
Alter Ego Trusts in Estate Planning
Don't Panic When Settling the Estate of a Loved One
It's Worth Preparing a Will Properly
Make an Enduring Power of Attorney
Estate Planning Saves Taxes
The Delicate Art of Disinheritance
If You Die Without a Will…
Estates Can Be Restructured to Avoid Tax Grab
Representation Agreements: Making a "Living Will"
Where There's a Will, There's a Way
Death and Taxes: Mastering the Final Returns
Serving as Executor of a Will
Family Trusts Not Just for the Wealthy
Undue Influence in Contesting a Will or Estate
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OTHER

When Professionals Get Into Trouble
Solicitor Client Privilege Protected
Don't Be Shy About Lawyer's Fees
Dogs, Trees and Other Neighbourly Complaints
Travel Troubles Trigger Lawsuits
Your Right to Privacy
Polluters Face Tough Environmental Law
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