Canada: Civil Law

The Saskatchewan Court of King's Bench recently examined whether municipalities have the authority to disqualify organized hamlet board members for conflict of interest violations, and what procedural protections must be afforded before such disqualification. The decision addresses newly amended regulations and establishes important precedents regarding the 10-day challenge period and the requirements of procedural fairness in municipal governance disputes.

The British Columbia Court of Appeal has weighed in on a longstanding debate in class action law: whether the commonality test should be characterized as a one-step or two-step analysis. In two recent opioid-related cases, the court clarified the evidentiary standard plaintiffs must meet when establishing that proposed common issues exist and can be resolved on a class-wide basis. The decisions emphasize a functional, pragmatic approach that focuses on whether certification will avoid duplication of litigat

The Supreme Court of Canada has recognized a novel intentional tort of intimate partner violence, fundamentally changing how coercive and controlling conduct in relationships is addressed under Canadian law. This landmark decision introduces a pattern-based approach that extends beyond traditional assault and battery claims, creating significant implications for liability insurers navigating policy exclusions and coverage disputes. As this new tort evolves beyond family law contexts into workplace harassmen