Canada: Civil Law

A Vancouver family renting a three-bedroom condo faces ongoing disruptions from upstairs neighbors who converted their unit into a four-bedroom student residence, raising questions about tenant rights in strata communities. When the strata council deflects responsibility, what legal protections do tenants have to enforce bylaws and maintain peaceful enjoyment of their home?

On May 15, 2026, the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia. In doing so, the Court changed the personal injury landscape by recognizing a new tort of intimate partner violence and creating an important pathway to justice for survivors.

The Ontario Court of Appeal unanimously overturned a lower court decision that had struck down provincial legislation requiring the removal or reconfiguration of Toronto bicycle lanes, holding that such ordinary legislation does not become constitutionally entrenched simply because it creates a benefit. The court forcefully reaffirmed that legislatures retain the power to amend or repeal their prior policy choices unless the Charter independently prevents them from doing so, and that courts must distinguish

A 1978 Supreme Court decision set a cap on non-pecuniary damages for catastrophic injuries in Canada, but does this limit apply to survivors of sexual assault? Courts have consistently ruled that intentional criminal acts fall outside this framework, allowing judges and juries to assess damages based on the unique, often immeasurable harm caused by abuse.

The Ontario Court of Appeal's recent decision in Buffa v. Giacomelli examines the complex legal standards for establishing undue influence in estate disputes, particularly when elderly parents...

This comprehensive weekly summary analyzes five significant Ontario Court of Appeal decisions from August 10-14, 2026, covering constitutional challenges to bike lane removal legislation, limitation periods for third-party claims, class action settlement disclosure rules, constructive dismissal damages, and vexatious litigant declarations. Each case summary includes detailed analysis of legal principles, procedural issues, and practical implications for practitioners.

On October 1, 2025, the monetary limit for the Small Claims Court was increased from $35,000 to $50,000, and the minimum appealable amount from $3,500 to $5,000.[1] This doesn’t mean that all proceedings that began in the Superior Court of Justice for amounts between $35,000 and $50,000 were automatically transferred to Small Claims Court as of October 1, 2025.

If you experienced physical abuse or sexual abuse in an institution such as a school, church or religious institution, sports organization, foster care, or another organization, you may have questions about your legal rights—or wonder whether it’s too late to do anything about what happened.

When professionals entrusted with the care of children exploit their positions of authority for harmful purposes, the impact extends far beyond the abusive acts themselves. This examination explores the complex dynamics of institutional sexual abuse, the barriers survivors face in coming forward, and the legal pathways available for pursuing accountability when systems fail to protect those in their care.