The Complete Brief
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February 12, 2026
B.C. court dismisses appeal over fabricated affidavit in residential case
The British Columbia Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal regarding missed payment of strata fees, finding that an affidavit was fabricated to appear as if it was properly sworn.
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February 12, 2026
Does having a law society certificate hanging on your wall make you a lawyer?
I own probably 15 or so hammers. A tack hammer, a 10-pound sledge, several ball peens, a brick hammer, claw hammers, a framing hammer… You name it, I probably have one. I also have enough saws and levels and squares and power tools to start a small construction business.
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February 12, 2026
Ontario Appeal Court upholds federal, provincial back-to-work legislation
Ontario’s top court has issued a pair of rulings upholding back-to-work legislation, with a legal scholar saying the decisions show that policymakers have been listening to the courts on how to craft labour laws that can withstand constitutional scrutiny.
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February 12, 2026
Ontario Court of Appeal calling for papers to honour late Justice Bertha Wilson
The Ontario Court of Appeal is calling for papers to mark the 50th anniversary of the late Bertha Wilson’s appointment to the court as part of a symposium honouring the woman who went on to become Canada’s first female Supreme Court justice.
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February 12, 2026
Data breach and privacy class actions in Canada: Why employers should pay attention
A noticeable shift is underway in Canadian class action litigation. Plaintiffs are increasingly seeking certification in data privacy cases, and courts appear more willing to grant it, even where concrete financial harm has not yet been established. This may signal a lower barrier at the authorization stage, which in turn may lead to greater interest in seeking class action certification.
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February 12, 2026
DLA Piper updates office leadership across the Americas
DLA Piper has announced changes to its regional office leadership across the Americas, including new managing partners in Toronto and Vancouver, according to the firm.
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February 12, 2026
NATURAL JUSTICE - Duty of fairness - Procedural fairness
Appeal by West Whitby Landowners Group Inc. from a decision of Divisional Court dismissing its application for judicial review from the Ontario Energy Board. The respondent, Elexicon Energy Inc., was the licensed monopolist that distributed electricity in Whitby.
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February 12, 2026
Ontario Court of Appeal decision informed by complainant’s motive to fabricate evidence
The fabrication of a story alleging that a crime was committed would necessarily result in an acquittal. Proving such motivation can be tricky. Defence counsel for Ryan Alexander Stuart chose to confront a complainant of sexual assault directly by asking a simple question: “Is it fair to say, ma’am, that you were concerned about having sex with Ryan and that it was going to interfere or harm your chances to get back with your ex?”
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February 11, 2026
Court dismisses appeal for defendant hockey leagues to cross-examine before certification
The British Columbia Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by various hockey leagues seeking to conduct cross-examinations at the pre-certification stage of a proposed class action against them.
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February 11, 2026
Saskatchewan Appeal Court explores self-defence in assault case
Criminal court judges must be “alive” to any “air of reality” to self-defence claims in assault cases, says a lawyer acting in a matter where an online argument turned into a fight involving a baseball bat and skateboard.