North America/Canada - Page 13
Top court allows veils for Canadian witnesses
Canada should not impose a blanket ban on witnesses wearing full face veils in court for religious reasons, with judges instructed to assess each case individually, the country's highest bench ruled last week.
Court snub for in-house lawyer claiming fees
An in-house lawyer who billed a Canadian litigation specialist law firm for work designed to assess his suitability as a possible employee has lost a court bid to claim the fees.
Bonanza for lawyers as Canada faces investor action
Canadian government moves to implement investor-protection agreements with two of the world's three largest economies will trigger a boom in global arbitration against Ottawa, analysts predict.
Canadian authorities conflict over competition crack-down
Federal government moves to dole out prison sentences at odds with watchdog's leniency programme, say lawyers
British Columbia encourages women to stay in legal jobs
British Columbia's law firms are attempting to boost the retention of female lawyers on their books following recent evidence suggesting that within the first 10 years of qualification women are far more likely to leave the profession than males.
BRIC risk growing for Canadian companies
Canadian anti-bribery laws are being more stringently enforced, creating complex issues for local companies looking to capitalise on emerging markets, specialist risk analysts warn.
Debate over Canadian lawyer training heats up
Concerns over training reforms in Canada have reached new heights, with one member of a Law Society task force admitting 'it's time to move on with a different process'.
Canadian tax lawyers win penalty protection
An Ottawa lawyer's successful appeal against a C$500,000 sanction has won tax lawyers and advisors across Canada improved security against regulatory penalties.
Canadian lawyers given aboriginal rights guidelines
Newly-qualified lawyers in Canada are being encouraged to beef up their aboriginal law knowledge following a dictat from legal profession regulators.
Television GC disbarred for misconduct
The former general counsel of faith-orientated television network Vision TV has been disbarred for professional misconduct after a series of indiscretions.
Canadian gender gap in in-house salaries
Female in-house counsel in Canada are making less money than their male colleagues and receiving lower salary increases, according to the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association.
Canadian Bar launches access to justice plan
Legal profession authorities in Canada have launched a trio of initiatives aimed at improving access to justice, preparing the legal profession for the future and assisting law firms to measure diversity.
Canadian wages rocket in four sectors
Corporate counsel at Canadian technology, manufacturing, automotive and aerospace industries have benefited from rocketing wage packets over the last two years, according to a recent study.
'Nude judge' case should be quashed, says lawyer
The case of Manitoba judge Lori Douglas took another twist this week as her lawyer made a claim that could derail an inquiry into internet nude pictures.
Disgraced tycoon's return sparks Canada legal row
A row between the legal profession and Canada's government over the return to the country of disgraced media tycoon Conrad Black has escalated, with lawyers challenging the immigration minister to complain to regulators about their behaviour.
Judge's sexual peccadilloes 'well known' in legal circles
The husband of Canadian judge Lori Douglas has testified that a scandal involving sexual harassment and nude photos of his wife was 'well known' to the legal community.
Former lawyer accused of theft over retirement home sale
A former lawyer has been arrested in Toronto after allegedly pocketing more than $2 million from the sale of a retirement home.
Ethnic diversity gap in British Columbia legal sector
Ethnic minorities continue to be severely under-represented in British Columbia's legal profession, an influential report released last week has found.
Recently-qualified Canadian lawyers take salary hit
Canadian lawyers who take up new private practice or in-house roles are likely to be on far lower salaries than those who took similar positions last year, according to recent survey.
Canadian GCs' divided over diversity policies
Canadian general counsel are evenly split on the value of law firm diversity issues, as only slightly more than half will consider policies when retaining an external lawyer, according to recent research.