News & Publications Results

Recent amendments to the BC Utilities Commission Act give the Commission significant new powers to issue “administrative penalties” and remedial orders. 

On October 24, 2012, the Government of Alberta introduced Bill 2: the Responsible Energy Development Act (“REDA”). If enacted, REDA will establish a single energy regulator and create a new regulatory framework for energy resource projects in Alberta.

This article looks at what startup companies should consider from the outset to avoid legal issues and to protect their business and their ideas.

The B.C. Property Assessment Appeal Board released an important decision reducing the assessed value for property tax of the upland land and improvements at the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal to a nominal value.

The Supreme Court of Canada decision in R v Cole, 2012 SCC 53 may have a significant impact on how employers manage the use of digital devices in the workplace. While a constitutional and criminal decision at its core, the case nevertheless recognizes the importance of employees’ reasonable expectation of privacy when using work computers and other digital devices.

The Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (“LARP”) came into effect on September 1, 2012 and is the first of seven regional plans to be released under the Alberta Land Stewardship Act. The LARP establishes the new cumulative effects approach to be used in the Lower Athabasca region and provides valuable insight as to how Alberta’s oil sands resources will be managed in the decades to come.

British Columbia’s new Pension Benefits Standards Act (the “PBSA” or the “Act”) received Royal Assent on May 31, 2012. While this new Act will eventually repeal and replace the existing PBSA, it will not come into force until the underlying regulations are developed and finalized, likely in 2013 or later. As the new Act is the final product of the November 2008 Joint Expert Panel on Pension Standards (“JEPPS”) report and subsequent work by the B.C. and Alberta governments, it is anticipated that Alberta will introduce a substantially identical bill later this year.

The following articles can be found in this bulletin:

* Welcome Chris Beneteau
* Federal Employee Disabled by Work Related Injury Protected Indefinitely
* Refusal to Return to Work Constitutes Just Cause
* Injunction Not Granted for Breach of Non-Solicitation Clause
* Refusal to Bargain Monetary Issues Constitutes Bargaining in Bad Faith

Will Roberts has written "The Secrets to Successful Pro-Bono Programs" for the October 2012  issue of CBA BarTalk.

This paper provides a legal update and compares the availability and practical implications of “equity” in the appeal process across Canadian taxing jurisdictions.

Lawson Lundell is honoured by this second consecutive #1 regional law firm ranking which would not have been possible without the loyalty and confidence of our clients.

Marko Vesely's article "Canadian Law of Defamation And The John Furlong Allegations" was published on The Huffington Post site on October 1, 2012.

Chris Baldwin has been named Best Lawyers Mining Law Lawyer of the Year in Vancouver for 2013.

Chris Sanderson, QC has been named Best Lawyers Natural Resources Law Lawyer of the Year in Vancouver for 2013.

Jeff Christian has been named Best Lawyers Energy Regulatory Law Lawyer of the Year in Vancouver for 2013.

Best Lawyers® in Canada 2013 recognizes 31 Lawson Lundell lawyers in 19 practice areas with six lawyers being named Lawyer of the Year. The firm is top-listed in Canada in Aboriginal Law and in Vancouver for Banking and Finance, Employee Benefits Law and Energy Regulatory Law.

John Smith has been named Best Lawyers Securities Law Lawyer of the Year in Vancouver for 2013.

Murray Campbell has been named Best Lawyers Employee Benefits Law Lawyer of the Year in Vancouver for 2013.

Reinhold Krahn has been named Best Lawyers Tax Law Lawyer of the Year in Vancouver for 2013.

We are saddened to mark the death of our former partner David Smith on August 9, 2012. David was a superb lawyer, partner and colleague, and Lawson Lundell was fortunate to have him spend the entire 47 years of his private practice career with our firm.