Legal Matters Weekly Publication
Ottawa Employment Lawyers | I was just let go “without cause”, what does this mean?
I was just let go “without cause”. What does this mean? Justin A. Villeneuve Lawyer – Litigation Prior to engaging in any litigious action, clients should have a grasp of not only their rights but those of the employer as well. What may not appear fair, maybe either contractually or legally legitimate. The term “without…
Read MoreOttawa Employment Lawyers | Forfeiture of Unvested Shares
I was fired without cause. What happened to my company shares or stock options? Justin A. Villeneuve Lawyer – Litigation Your job was just terminated “without cause” and as if it’s not bad enough that you just lost your job, you also find out that your shares in the company are no longer yours. Just…
Read MoreOttawa Employment Lawyers | Are contracts necessary?
Employer’s Resource | Are contracts necessary? Reasonable Notice and Bonus Requirements Justin A. Villeneuve Lawyer – Employment Law I’m always surprised to see how many employers still adopt the “handshake” method when hiring employees. I can understand the temptation to be nostalgic, but these types of employment agreements can leave employers at loss. Especially when…
Read MoreSomatic Symptom Disorder – What it is and how can you prove it?
Somatic Symptom Disorder – What is it and how can we prove it? Justin A. Villeneuve Lawyer – Personal Injury The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) recently crystallised the importance of considering how psychiatric injuries accompany physical ones. In Saadati v. Moorhead, Saadati was in a car accident and suffered psychological and emotional trauma. He…
Read MoreShould I waive my right to a home inspection?
Should I wave my right to a home inspection? Vlado Hajtol Partner – Solicitor We placed an offer on a house, which was accepted by the sellers. The agreement is conditional upon a satisfactory home inspection. The house was built only a few years ago and we are considering waiving our right to a home…
Read MorePersonal Injury: What steps can you take to protect yourself?
What should I do if I am injured and someone else is responsible? Patrick Snelling Partner – Litigation As a litigation lawyer, I am often retained weeks, months or even years after a client has suffered an injury as a result of another’s negligence. Ideally, if you are injured as a result of someone else’s…
Read MoreDo you need a Lawyer to review your commercial lease?
I run a small business and I am currently in the process of looking for commercial space. Do I need a lawyer to review the lease? J. Robert Allan Partner – Solicitor A commercial lease is a complex legal document. In addition to the usual but important commercial provisions such as the term of the…
Read MoreOttawa Employment Lawyers | Duty to Accommodate & Frustration
Duty to accommodate – Where do employers draw the line? Justin A. Villeneuve Lawyer – Litigation Answer: Employers should do what they can to accommodate their employee’s disability, but there’s a line to be drawn between accommodation and frustration of the employment contract. If the contract is in fact “frustrated”, the employer can end the…
Read MoreOttawa Employment Lawyers | Termination and Lawsuits
I was fired without cause. My employer has given me an offer. Should I take it? Justin A. Villeneuve Lawyer – Litigation Answer: Employers aren’t handcuffed to their employees. If they act in accordance with their statutory and common law obligations, employers are free to part ways with employees without cause. Typically, the employer is…
Read MoreOttawa Personal Injury | How Lawyers Get Paid
What does “no fee unless you win” actually mean and how do most personal injury lawyers get paid? Answer: Taken literally and with knowledge of what goes into every account “no win, no fee” is a legitimate statement. That means: Yes, the lawyer will not get a fee if you don’t receive compensation. However,…
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