In March 2020, the aggressive spread of COVID-19 cases created uncertainty and economic chaos for businesses in Canada. One British Columbia employer took the step of laying off a significant number of its employees. This step, taken by many other employers, was intended to be a temporary measure and last resort necessitated by the pandemic…

We are delighted to share that our Litigation Associate Yianni Pappas-Acreman is a contributing author for a recent publication Manual to British Columbia Civil Litigation, published by Canadian Legal Information Institute. Along with many contributors, Yianni has volunteered his time to share his expertise with the public, providing in-depth information and commentary about civil procedures…

The registration against the title of a claim of lien is a powerful tool in a contractor’s toolbox. Not only does it secure an interest in land for work done or materials supplied, but it can also often assist in an expedited negotiated resolution of construction disputes. However, as a recent decision of the Supreme…

We are pleased to welcome Zack Holeksa to our Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group. You can learn more about Zack and his practice here.

We are pleased to announce that Timothy D. Goepel has joined Watson Goepel LLP as a Partner, effective February 1, 2021. Tim conducts a broad civil litigation practice focused on construction law, partnership/shareholder disputes, defence of professionals, intellectual property disputes, and employment matters. Tim has appeared in all levels of court in British Columbia and…

Many Canadians are facing financial uncertainty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which can lead to issues arising between banks and their customers. Many banks have taken measures to accommodate individuals and businesses in these challenging times by creating special programs, some of which are outlined here. Despite measures being taken by banks, individuals…

The spread of COVID-19 is having an unprecedented impact on our society. This impact will be felt for months and years to come. In light of the current circumstances, many businesses, organizations, and individuals are struggling to meet their obligations and are looking for guidance on how they can resolve any resulting business and contractual…

On March 23 the Ontario and Quebec governments ordered that “non-essential” businesses close down, shortly followed by a list of “essential” businesses that were exempt from the mandatory closure. Quebec took a more cautious approach and ordered that all non-essential construction sites close. Ontario adopted a less restrictive approach and included the construction industry on…

A British Columbia judgment for the payment of money or the return of personal property is effective for 10 years. A judgment can be “renewed”, but the process is not straightforward. This article provides a brief discussion of the steps necessary to renew the original judgement, and some of the complications that can arise in…

What is the CRT? In July 2016, British Columbia launched the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT), an online dispute-resolution tribunal which helps people resolve certain types of small claims disputes up to $5,000 (though this amount will increase in the future), and strata related disputes of any value. The CRT is designed to be an informal…