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Lawyers Looking for Leads: "Virtual" Networking

4/2/2020

In the “old” days, pre-pandemic, we used to publish “Lawyers Looking for Leads” blog posts with curated lists of networking events for lawyers in Ontario. We focused on events with a social component, where lawyers could make new contacts and find potential referral sources for work. Well, in-person networking has ground to a halt. What are lawyers to do now?

Here are our top 3 tips to continue your networking plan but in a virtual way:

1. Join Social Media:

If you have been hesitant to join in the past, now is the time! Social media is one big networking event you can attend in your pajamas and with unwashed hair. Connect with other lawyers on Twitter (follow #lawtwitter), LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram (#lawyersofinstagram), etc. Interact with them by liking their posts, posting interesting articles or writing articles of your own and sharing them. You can build your profile and make new contacts all from the safety of your couch.

2. Virtual Coffee Dates:

Before this crisis hit, you may have had a calendar full of coffees or networking lunches or after work drinks. Don’t cancel them. Move them online. Make a coffee or drink at home and have that face-to-face meeting still.

3. Pick Up the Phone or Send that Email:

Now is the time to reach out and connect with other lawyers. Renew relationships. Check in with former colleagues or old law school friends. What are they doing? How are they coping? Let them know also what you are doing and what legal services you are still offering.

How are you making new connections and building your network while maintaining social distancing?

As freelance lawyers, who work remotely, it's business as usual for us! Looking for a cost-effective way to get your legal work done and find time to focus on building your practice? Contact us and find out how we can help you.

DELEGATE TO US: START HERE

Webinars and Other Resources for Lawyers During COVID-19: March 25-April 3, 2020

3/25/2020

Looking for some guidance during these uncertain times?

We've made a list of webinars and resources aimed at lawyers to assist with your practice and helping your clients.

Webinars:

CPD Assists (to help Legal Practitioners during the Pandemic), available to download, Law Society of Ontario (FREE)

How to Access New Government Emergency Relief Programs, April 2nd 12:00pm-1:00pm Ontario Bar Association ($50 Member / $95 Non-Member)

Litigating from Home: Staying Healthy, Connected and Productive. April 3rd 12:00pm-1:00pm, The Advocates' Society. ($25 Member/$50 Non-Member)

Urgent Motions During COVID-19. April 3rd, 2:00pm-3:00pm. LexisNexis (FREE)

Your Real Estate Practice and the COVID-19 Pandemic: What You Need to Know, Law Society of Ontario. There will be multiple live-replays and on-demand access asap. Replays April 1, 2 and 3rd. (FREE)

Virtual Fireside Chat with The Hon. Chief Justice Morawetz, April 6 2:00pm-2:30pm, The Advocates' Society (FREE)

SERIES: Maintaining Your Litigation Practice in a Remote Work Environment, Call-In Sessions April 7-May 14. 9:30am-10:15am. Ontario Bar Association (FREE for Members, $100 for the series for Non-Members)

Will Execution, Holograph Wills & Evaluating Capacity April 1st 10:00am-11:00am Ontario Bar Association ($50 Member/$95 Non-Member)

What To Do When Crisis Strikes, original air date April 1st Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice. (FREE)

Today's Privacy Challenges: Remote Workforces, Consent and Sensitive Personal Information. Original air date, April 1st Ontario Bar Association. ($50 Member/$95 Non-Member)

Urgent Matters: Defining Urgency and Other Critical Issues Facing Family Lawyers, Original air date March 31st Ontario Bar Association. ($50 Member/$95 Non-Member)

Litigating from Home: A Starter Kit. The Advocates' Society, original air-date March 27th.

Criminal Law Now: Bail, Parole, and Prisoners' Rights. Ontario Bar Association. Original air-date March 27th.

Emergency Powers and Their Limitations and Protections Against Their Arbitrary Use. Original air date: March 25th Ontario Bar Association.

Health Law Now - Emergency Management, Virtual and In-Person Care, and Lessons from SARS. Original air date: March 26th Ontario Bar Association.

Mindful Lawyer Series: Elevating Morale and Fostering Resilience in Today's Climate. Original air date: March 26th Ontario Bar Association.

Remote Workforce: Employer Obligations, Health and Safety, Privacy and Emergency Changes to the ESA, original air date March 24. Ontario Bar Association

Force Majeure, Contract Cancellations and Occupier's Liability, original air date March 19. Ontario Bar Association.

Lawyering From Home: Working the File from Start to Finish, original air date March 30 Family Law and Civil Laws & Wills Ontario Bar Association and Ryerson's Legal Innovation Zone.

Other Resources:

LexisNexis - Free Coronavirus Document Kit for lawyers and free access to The Lawyer's Daily COVID-19 Updates.

Law Society of Ontario - Inventory of COVID-19 Notices & Resources (FREE)

Ontario Bar Association: Special Services during COVID-19, including Tips for Lawyer Wellness.

Canadian Bar Association: Article "Staying Sane While Shifting to Remote Work" by Jennifer Taylor

Federation of Ontario Law Associations: Updates on Information for the Profession and COVID-19 and Real Estate Law - What You Need to Know

Hull and Hull LLP: Execution of Wills During COVID-19

McCarthy Tetrault LLP: Podcast - Law in the Time of COVID-19

We hope this list is helpful. Let us know if you are aware of other useful resources that should be added. We will update this list regularly. Also, see our list of notices from the courts, Law Society, government etc. here.

Flex Legal is open for business as usual. We are freelance lawyers, working remotely assisting lawyers, law firms and in-house legal departments with their overflow legal work. Contact us if you need assistance. A list of our services can be found here.

COVID-19: Practice Information for Ontario Lawyers

3/23/2020

We are replacing our usual curated list of networking events for lawyers blog posts, with a one-stop COVID-19 Information Page (updated regularly), with links to helpful resources and information for lawyers in Ontario:

1. GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO

Mandatory Closure of Non-Essential Businesses on March 24th 11:59pm: Lawyers are considered essential. See full list here.

Ontario Limitation Periods and Procedural Time Periods Suspended: The Ministry of the Attorney General has advised that an Order in Council has been made under s. 7.1 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act suspending limitation periods and procedural time periods. The suspension is retroactive to March 16, 2020. The Order in Council can be viewed here (PDF).

Suspension of Residential Evictions: See Court Order here.

Updates from Legal Aid Ontario can be found here.

2. GUIDANCE FROM THE COURTS and REGULATORS

Each court has issued its own notice or direction regarding procedures to be implemented in the face of this pandemic, see below.

Also an E-Hearings Task Force has been established with co-operation from the Law Society of Ontario, the Federation of Law Societies of Ontario, Ontario Bar Association and The Advocates' Society to expand virtual access to the courts. See more information in this notice from the Advocates' Society.

The Ontario Court of Justice’s notice provides that unless you have an urgent criminal or urgent family court appearance between March 20 and May 29, 2020 do not attend court. Further information on scheduling matters and “COVID-19 Pandemic Planning” can be found on the OCJ’s website.

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has issued several important notices to the profession, litigants, and witnesses, which can be found on the OSCJ’s website. All civil, family and criminal matters scheduled to be heard on or after March 17, 2020 are adjourned. The court will currently remain open for urgent matters as described in its notice.
UPDATE: However, as of April 6, 2020, the court will expand the matters that can be heard remotely beyond just urgent matters. Details were provided on April 2nd: Family and Civil and Criminal. There are also Notices for each region: here is the Notice for Toronto.

For criminal matters, for any accused person who has a matter scheduled for any type of appearance in the Superior Court of Justice between March 17, 2020 and June 2, 2020, that matter is adjourned, unless directed otherwise by the Court. More information on criminal matters can be found here.

Small Claims Court hearings have also been suspended until further notice. You may continue to file claims online.

The Commercial List has also provided a notice of changes to its current services, provided by the Commercial List Users Committee. A similar notice has been provided regarding the  Estates List as well.

Good new for E-Filing: Here is the  expanded list of documents you can now file on-line.

The Court of Appeal for Ontario has suspended all non-urgent appeals from March 17 until April 3, 2020. Urgent appeals will be heard based on either written materials or will be heard remotely. Parties on non-urgent appeals can request that their appeal be heard in writing. For more information on what the Court considers “urgent” see its Notice to The Profession and the Public. Plus, all materials can now be e-mailed as the counter service is now closed.

The Federal Court has produced a Practice Direction and an Updated Practice Direction and Order re COVID-19, with FAQs. All Federal Court hearings previously scheduled between March 17 and April 17 have been adjourned sine die. This includes hearings that were scheduled to proceed by way of telephone conference. For exceptions, see the detailed Practice Directions.

The Supreme Court of Canada has closed the building to visitors but currently the Court remains open for case-related matters. To assist parties in filing their documents within the required deadline, documents may be filed by email. For more information see the SCC’s COVID-19 notice. Deadlines imposed by the Rules of the Supreme Court of Canada have also been suspended. More details here.

The Canadian Securities Administrators is providing temporary blanket relief for market participants from certain regulatory filings, as a result of COVID-19, as announced by the Ontario Securities Commission.

For information on the status of tribunals (Consent and Capacity Board, Landlord and Tenant Board etc.) see this handy list from the Ontario Bar Association.

3. GUIDANCE FROM THE LAW SOCIETY OF ONTARIO

The LSO has provided regular updates on its website under: COVID-19 Response. Of note, until further notice, the LSO is allowing lawyers and paralegals to verify the identity of their client via video conference. This will be in compliance with By-Law 7.1. Further, commissioning of affidavits may also be completed via video conference. See the LSO website for more details.

Also, for any lawyer or paralegal who has not paid their 2020 annual fee yet, the late payment fee will not be applied before April 6, 2020. The filing deadline for lawyers and paralegals to file their 2019 Annual Report is still March 31, 2020, however, you may file during the 60-day default period (ending May 30) without penalty.

4. GUIDANCE FROM LAW AND BAR ASSOCIATIONS

Several associations and organizations have also prepared helpful guidance and tips to assist lawyers during this time:

Ontario Bar Association: COVID-19 Action Plan and Tips for Lawyer Wellness.

Canadian Bar Association: Statement on COVID-19

The Advocates Society: COVID-19 Update

Toronto Lawyers Association: TLA Response to COVID-19

LawPro: Response to COVID-19

Federation of Law Societies of Ontario: Special Edition Real Estate Lawyers Update and Weekly Update (April 1, 2020).

Criminal Lawyers Association: COVID-19 Blog Articles

Ontario Family Lawyers: Public Facebook Group - To share ideas and concerns.

Also, we remain open to assist lawyers and law firms with your overflow legal work. We are pros at remote working and there has been no interruption in our services. Please reach out to let us know how we can assist you.

Stay healthy and safe everyone! Check back here often as we will be updating this post regularly. This is current as of March 30, 2020 at 8:00am.

Ontario Bar Association Publishes Flex's Remote Working Tips

3/19/2020

To assist it's member, the OBA asked us to write an article on our remote working and work-from-home tips. A quick preview of our five top tips:

Have a dedicated workspace
Stick to a schedule
Embrace technology
Set boundaries with the kids
Focus on your mental health.

You can read the full article and details on each tip here. It was a pleasure to share our experience with other lawyers.

As we work remotely 100% of the time, it's business as usual around here - please reach out if you are a lawyer looking for help with your overflow legal work. Our experienced freelance lawyers are available to assist. We offer a wide variety of services at competitive prices.

Lawyers Looking for Leads: Lawyer Networking Events for March & April 2020

3/9/2020

** UPDATE: WARNING - PLEASE CHECK WITH ORGANIZERS AS MANY OF THESE PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED OR POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19**

Below is our curated list of upcoming lawyer networking events in Ontario for March and April 2020. We focus on events with a social component, where lawyers can make new contacts and find potential referral sources for work:

March 12, 2020 - TORONTO - The Advocates' Society - 9th Annual Trivia Challenge for Charity. The Hot House Restaurant, 35 Church Street. 6:00-8:30pm. $300+HST for a Team of 4.

March 25, 2020 - TORONTO - Young Women in Law - The 10th Annual Young Women In Law Charity Gala (featuring the Honourable Justice Beverley McLachlin and lawyer Annamaria Enenajor) The Design Exchange, 234 Bay Street. 6:30pm-11:00pm. Members Only Pre-Sale $80.00, General Public Sale opens February 11, $95.00.

March 25, 2020 - BRAMPTON - The Advocates' Society - Young Advocates' Peel Social. Fionn MacCool's 11 Ray Lawson Blvd. 6:00pm. Your business card is your ticket.

March 26, 2020 - WINDSOR - The Advocates' Society - Young Advocates' Windsor Social. Panache Restaurant and Lounge. 53 Pitt Street East. 5:30-7:30pm. Your business card is your ticket.

March 26, 2020 - KITCHENER - The Advocates' Society - Waterloo Region Social. Gilt Restaurant, 305 King Street West. 5:30-7:30pm. Your business card is your ticket.

March 27, 2020 - OTTAWA - County of Carleton Law Association - Annual General Meeting and Awards Banquet. Trillium Ballroom, 4th Floor, Shaw Centre. (Registration to open shortly)

April 1, 2020 - TORONTO - The Advocates' Society - Wine & Cheese with the Bench. For lawyers in their first 10 years of practice. 2700- 250 Yonge Street. 5:30pm-7:30pm. Members: $50.00. Non-Members: $70.00

April 15, 2020 - TORONTO - Ontario Bar Association - The OBA Awards Gala. Omni King Edward Hotel, Crystal Ballroom, 37 King Street East. 6:00pm Reception. 7:00pm Dinner and Awards. Tickets: $240.00

April 21, 2020 - TORONTO - Ontario Bar Association - Dinner with Your Honourable Estates List Judges. OBA Conference Centre, 20 Toronto Street, 2nd Floor. 5:30pm Registration 6:00pm Dinner. Member: $97.00 Non-Member: $147.00

April 22, 2020 - TORONTO - The Advocates' Society - Family Law Bench & Bar Reception. The Advocates' Society Offices, 2700-250 Yonge Street. 5:30-7:30pm

April 24, 2020 - OTTAWA - County of Carleton Law Association - Law Day Fun Run & Walk. Marion Dewar Plaza. 12:30pm-2:30pm.

April 30, 2020 - TORONTO - Toronto Lawyers Association - 8th Annual Young Lawyers Bench & Bar Social. TLA Lawyers Lounge, 2nd Floor, 361 University Ave Courthouse. 5:30-7:30pm. Members: FREE Non-Members: $20.00

Know of any other upcoming social or networking events for lawyers? Let us know!.......And we hope to see you at some of these events soon!

**Please double check dates/times/locations/prices directly on the associations’ websites as this information may change**

5 Productivity Hacks for Lawyers by Erin Cowling

3/3/2020

Do some days just fly by and you feel like you worked all day but got nothing done? Do you wake up and realize that it’s Friday and you didn’t accomplish half the stuff you were supposed to that week? I’ve been there! I understand how hectic running a law practice and a business can be. Below are 5 of my top productivity tips for busy lawyers:

1.Lists, Lists, Lists

Lists are not for everyone, but for some they can be a lifesaver. I have a main list of my open files and the next steps to take on them. Then on Monday morning of each week, I set my weekly "To-Do" list, divided into four parts:
1) My legal work (priority files, next steps)
2) My business work (marketing, admin, blog writing)
3) My volunteer work (meetings, next events to organize) and
4) Personal List (birthday presents to buy, class trip forms to return, house maintenance, etc.).
Under each list, the most important task goes first. Prioritize those tasks. Emergencies come up that might take you away from your list, but once they are dealt with you have your list of tasks (in order of priority) to ground you. If an item does not get done that week, I add it to the list the following week. If a task is not on the list, I forget about it, and it doesn’t get done. So, for me, my lists are all important.

2.Find Your Most Productive Time and Respect It

I belong to a business book club for women entrepreneurs. One of the first books we read was The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey. The main takeaway for me was to find the time of day that I was most productive and to block off that time for work only. For me, I am most productive between 7am-11am and then again between 1pm-3pm. I block that time off for the work that requires my strict attention and my deep-thinking skills. The rest of the time I schedule my phone calls, meetings, answer emails, take a break, exercise, eat, do routine tasks, admin, etc. Everyone has different times for their peak productivity – when is that for you?

3.Give up Perfectionism

This is a hard one for me. I desire perfection. However, perfection is a myth that cannot be achieved in law and this quest for perfection hurts my productivity. I end up spending a lot longer on a factum or pleading or legal opinion than I need to, leaving less time for other important tasks on my list, and I cannot bill for that extra time spent. As Lorne Michaels from Saturday Night Live said: “The show doesn’t go on because it’s ready; it goes on because it’s 11:30.” It helps when I set a deadline or time limit for my work.

4. Say “No” When You Need To

I wrote a blog post on my personal website called “Building a Legal Practice: Say “Yes” Until it is Time to Say “No”” I’ve learned that it is important to say “yes” to new opportunities to build your brand, bring in clients, increase business, but you must be careful of burnout. Be selective of the files you take on, the volunteer opportunities, the speaking engagements, etc. Is the opportunity one that you are excited about? One that brings in some money? Or, one that will help build your personal brand? Assess the opportunity before you say “yes” and add another thing to your to-do list.

5.Delegate, delegate, delegate.

Are you doing admin tasks that are taking you away from your legal practice? Is there a part of your client in-take process that can be automated? Are there routine steps that a junior lawyer or law clerk can do to free up your time? I understand why lawyers feel like they must do everything (they are ultimately responsible for their law practice), but you are the billing lawyer. You are making the money. You should not spend the majority of your time doing non-billable work. Have your assistant answer the phones or outsource this to a call service, automate your intake process or automate your social media posts, consider outsourcing any overflow legal work to freelance lawyers…there are so many ways to free up your time so you can focus on the work that you really want to do!

What are your productivity hacks?

Erin Cowling Interviewed by CBA President Vivene Salmon

2/26/2020

This week Flex founder, Erin Cowling, was interviewed by the President of the Canadian Bar Association, Vivene Salmon for the podcast, "Conversations with the President".

Erin and Vivene were joined by lawyer Kim Gale, the founder of Gale Law. Erin had fun talking legal entrepreneurship, freelance lawyering, and the billable hour.

Stay tuned for the release of the podcast episode!

Lawyers Looking for Leads: Networking Events for February & March 2020

2/2/2020

Was your legal practice a little slow in January?

Or, maybe it's been some time since you've stretched your "networking" legs?

We are here to help!

Below is our curated list of upcoming lawyer networking events in Ontario.  We focus on events with a social component, where lawyers can make new contacts and potential referral sources for work:

February 4, 2020 - TORONTO - Ontario Bar Association - Institute Welcome Reception - One King West. 5:15-7:15pm. Free for anyone registered for an Institute CPD Program. Otherwise: $50.00

February 6, 2020 - TORONTO - The Advocates' Society - Toronto Mentoring Dinner Series. 250 Yonge Street, Suite 2700. 6:00pm-8:30pm. Members $75+HST. Non-Members $95+HST.

February 8, 2020 - TORONTO - Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (FACL) - 13th Annual Conference and Gala. Toronto Region Board of Trade, 77 Adelaide St West. Can purchase tickets just for the Gala or for Conference & Gala. See website for details.

February 13, 2020 - HAMILTON - Hamilton Law Association - First Annual Harris Cup Curling Bonspiel in support of the Lawyers' Legacy for Children. Dundas Golf & Curling Club. 5:00pm $125/per player (includes pre-game festivities, instruction, game & dinner)

February 19, 2020 - TORONTO - Women's Law Association - Workshop: Improv(e) Your Communication Skills with Bad Dog Theatre - Ryerson University, DMZ Sandbox, 341 Yonge Street, Suite 312. 6:00pm-8:30pm. Members: $30+HST Non-Members: $35+HST.

February 20, 2020 - BRAMPTON - Ontario Bar Association - Central West Regional Social. Fionn MacCool's, 11 Ray Lawson Blvd. 5:30pm-7:00pm. Free to attend but must register in advance.

February 20, 2020 - BRANTFORD - Brant Law Association - After Hours Social. The Brantford Club, 98 George Street, Brantford. 5:00pm

February 21, 2020 - LONDON - Middlesex Law Association - The Women's Innovation & Networking Event (WINE). The London Club. 4:30-6:30pm. Members $55+HST. Non-Members $75+HST

February 24, 2020- LONDON - Middlesex Law Association - Mentoring Dinner 2020 (10 years or less). The London Club. 5:30-8:30pm. Member $60+HST. Non-Member $90+HST.

February 25, 2020 - OTTAWA - County of Carleton Law Association & Ottawa Chapter of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers. Black History Month Social. CCLA Rideau & Nepean Rooms, 2nd Floor, Ottawa Courthouse, 161 Elgin Street. $10 Registration charge (proceeds to charity).

March 3, 2020 - TORONTO - The Advocates' Society. The Mid-Career Women's Social. Lena Restaurante. 6:00pm-8:00pm Complimentary for Women Lawyers 8-22 years of practice.

March 4, 2020 - KINGSTON - The Advocates' Society. Kingston Trivia Challenge. The Kingston Brewing Company, 34 Clarence Street. 5:30-8:00pm.

March 5, 2020 - TORONTO - The Advocates' Society & Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators - An Evening with SOAR - 250 Yonge Street, Suite 2700. 5:30-7:00pm. TAS or SOAR Members: Free Non-Members: $20+HST.

March 5, 2020 - TORONTO - Toronto Lawyers Association - 20th TLA Awards Gala. Omni King Edward Hotel, 37 King Street E. 6:00pm. Members $130+HST. Non-Members $160+HST. Young Lawyer (10 years or less) $90 +HST.

March 5, 2020 - TORONTO - Ontario Bar Association - Civil Litigation Section Networking Social. Duke of Westminster 77 Adelaide St W. 5:30pm-8:00pm. Free to attend but must register in advance.

March 5, 2020 - OTTAWA - County of Carleton Law Association - Women's Speed Mentoring Event. CCLA Nepean & Rideau Boardrooms, 2nd Floor, Ottawa Courthouse, 161 Elgin Street. $20.00 (limited spots).

March 5, 2020 - HAMILTON - Hamilton Law Association - Solicitor's Dinner. The Hamilton Club, 6 Main Street E, Hamilton. 5:30pm $95.

March 9, 2020 - TORONTO - OBA Women Lawyers Forum - WLF Student Mix & Mingle. OBA Conference Centre, 20 Toronto Street, 2nd Flr. 5:30-8:30pm. Member: $15 Non-Member: $25.

March 12, 2020 - TORONTO - The Advocates' Society - 9th Annual Trivia Challenge for Charity. The Hot House Restaurant, 35 Church Street. 6:00-8:30pm. $300+HST for a Team of 4.

March 25, 2020 - TORONTO - Young Women in Law - The 10th Annual Young Women In Law Charity Gala (featuring the Honourable Justice Beverley McLachlin and lawyer Annamaria Enenajor) The Design Exchange, 234 Bay Street. 6:30pm-11:00pm. Members Only Pre-Sale $80.00, General Public Sale opens February 11, $95.00.

March 27, 2020 - OTTAWA - County of Carleton Law Association - Annual General Meeting and Awards Banquet. Trillium Ballroom, 4th Floor, Shaw Centre. (Registration to open shortly)

Know of any other upcoming social or networking events for lawyers? Let us know!.......And we hope to see you at some of these events soon!

**Please double check dates/times/locations/prices directly on the associations’ websites as this information may change**

As of January 1, 2020: Changes to Simplified Procedure and Small Claims Court in Ontario

1/22/2020

Civil litigators in Ontario should be aware of amendments to both Rule 76 Simplified Procedure claims and claims brought in Small Claims Court which came into effect on January 1, 2020.

1. Simplified Procedure Changes

The limit for claims brought under the Simplified Procedure rule has now been increased to $200,000 from the previous $100,000 limit which had been in place since 2010.

According to the Ministry of the Attorney General, “[t]his change will require more people to file claims under the Simplified Procedure rule, reducing the cost of resolving disputes to families, businesses and taxpayers.”

Other amendments include:

Jury trials will no longer be permitted under Simplified Procedure. This will decrease the length of the trial and save legal costs.
The time limit for discovery will be increased from 2 hours to 3 hours.
Parties cannot recover costs exceeding $50,000 or disbursements exceeding $25,000 exclusive of HST.
A pre-trial date will be set within 180 days of the action being set down for trial and parties must agree to and file a trial management plan 30 days before the pre-trial.
Trials will not exceed five days.

The Ministry of the Attorney General has also provided a helpful Fact Sheet regarding the amendments and has developed simple flowcharts illustrating the processes under the Rules of Civil Procedure.

2. Small Claims Court

The Small Claims Court limit has been raised to $35,000 from the previous $25,000. Also, the minimum amount of a claim that may be appealed to Divisional Court was increased from $2,500 to $3,500.

Have you already started a claim in Superior Court that now fits under the new Small Claims Court threshold? Don’t worry litigants can seek to transfer their case to Small Claims Court.

According to the Ministry of the Attorney General the increase in the limit is to make it “faster, easier and more affordable for people and businesses to resolve their disputes in front of a judge”.

As there will likely be an increase in claims at the Small Claims Court, hopefully there will be a corresponding increase in the number of deputy judges available to decide these disputes. Perhaps now is a good time to apply to become a deputy judge if you are interested. According to the Ontario Courts website to become a deputy judge:

Interested lawyers with a minimum of 10 years’ experience may write to the Regional Senior Judge of the region in which they wish to preside. To prevent court scheduling conflicts, applicants may apply to one region only. Please provide a letter of interest, curriculum vitae and references. Applicants must be members in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario, have no outstanding liability claims relating to the practice of law and no criminal record.

Congratulations: Flex Founder Erin Cowling Wins Clawbies Award

1/8/2020

Every year on December 31, the Canadian Law Blog Awards (the Clawbies) are announced. This year Flex's founder, Erin Cowling's law blog won an award for "Best Blog and Commentary"!

Congratulations to all of the 2019 winners.

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