Written by Todd Stanley, KC, Managing Partner and Thomas Munn, Partner in Newfoundland and Labrador. Recent Developments Our July 2023 article Significant Amendments Announced to the Accord Acts outlined proposed amendments to the Atlantic Accord legislation. Our July 2024 article Significant Amendments Announced to the Accord Acts-Update detailed the arduous legislative journey of the proposed […]
Swimm v. Swimm, 2025 NSSC 247 Judge: The Honourable Justice Samuel Moreau Subject: Bifurcation of issues (Matrimonial Assets); Division of Matrimonial Assets; Inferences; Credibility; Sections 13 and 18 of the Matrimonial Property Act. Summary: The parties were married in April 2010 and separated in October 2023. Ms. Swimm filed a Petition for Divorce soon after. […]
Written by John Boyle, Partner in Halifax. Being a director or officer of a company comes with many responsibilities – responsibilities that if not met are increasingly resulting in claims directly against directors and officers. This is true worldwide. In Global Insurance Law Connect 2025 Directors’ and Officers’ Global Trends report, it highlighted causes such […]
Written by Robin Aitken, TEP, Partner in Charlottetown What it is Substitute decision-making is what happens when a person is appointed by an individual (or by a court) to make or assist with decisions for that individual. Clients typically anticipate that this type of planning will be useful if they lose capacity to make decisions […]
Written by John Graham, Associate in Halifax. Effective August 30, 2024, Nova Scotia implemented amendments to the condominium development fee regime under the Condominium Act through O.I.C. 2024-289 (N.S. Reg. 150/2024). These changes restructured how registration and approval fees are calculated, shifting from a value-based system to a predictable per-unit model capped at 50 units. […]
Written by Matthew Gorman, Partner in Halifax. Producers play a critical role in the music industry. A skilled producer can be the deciding factor between a track becoming a viral hit or fading into obscurity. Behind every successful record is a producer agreement that sets the foundation for the collaboration. Here are five practical tips […]
Written by Stewart Hayne, Partner in Halifax. Canadian trademark registrations last for 10 years and are renewable upon the payment of a maintenance fee. However, lack of use in the marketplace may render your registration subject to possible expungement. Traditionally, an application for trademark expungement was initiated by an interested person seeking expungement through the […]
Written by Erin Mitchell, Associate in Halifax. On June 23, 2025, we reported on our expectations for Nova Scotia’s new Mandatory Harassment Prevention Policy regulations. We are pleased to update that the long-awaited regulations were published on August 22, 2025 in the Royal Gazette Part II and will soon be added as Part 27 of […]
On June 4, 2025, the Competition Bureau (the “Bureau”) released its Final Guidelines on Competitor Property Controls (the “Guidelines”). The Guidelines clarify how the Bureau will assess contractual restrictions in commercial leases and restrictive covenants under Canada’s Competition Act, following recent legislative amendments. The Bureau uses the term “competitor property controls” to describe restrictions on […]
Written by Robin Aitken, TEP, Partner in Charlottetown In 2025, Prince Edward Island introduced a sweeping modernization of its trust legislation through Bill No. 5 –Trustee Act, replacing the longstanding Trustee Act (Chapter T-8). This new Act represents a significant expansion of legislated trust law, enhancing fiduciary standards, expanding trustee powers, and providing further protections for beneficiaries. […]