01 Plain Language for clients and counsel
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Complex legal topics explained clearly for clients, professionals, and the public, and precise enough to actually inform the decisions that follow.
Plain-language explainers, case commentaries, and practice notes across civil litigation, commercial litigation, business law, appeals, and select cross-border topics. Read, then get in touch if your situation calls for it. The Information Portal is a working archive, not marketing copy. Each post is written by counsel at the firm and drafted to the same standard of care we apply to the files we handle.
What you'll find
Each post is written by counsel at the firm and drafted to the same standard of care we apply to the files we handle. The aim is practical: explain the doctrine, note what has changed, and point to what matters next. Long-form articles, case commentary, and short practice notes on the mechanics of procedure.
Complex legal topics explained clearly for clients, professionals, and the public, and precise enough to actually inform the decisions that follow.
Recent developments, new case law, and procedural changes, written up as they happen with the practical consequences drawn out plainly.
Actionable takeaways so readers can move from reading to decision-making, whether that is on their own, with in-house counsel, or with us.
The information provided on this site is for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Content may not be comprehensive or current at the time you read it. Consult a qualified lawyer on any specific legal question or matter. Grigoras Law is not responsible for any damage or loss arising from reliance upon this information.
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Every business buys products and services. For businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions, every vendor or supplier contract is also a legal risk. A limitation of liability clause enforceable under Ontario law may be unenforceable in New York. An IP provision that works in England may assign ownership to the wrong party in Canada. This guide explains how these contracts work, what their most important provisions mean for your business, and where the legal rules shift depending on the governing jurisdiction.
Toronto condo prices have dropped sharply, leaving pre-construction buyers facing financing gaps of $100,000 or more. Many signed agreements years ago and cannot close at the original price. This guide explains every legitimate legal exit available to Ontario pre-construction condo buyers, from the right to rescind where disclosure was never properly delivered, to the 10-day cooling-off period, material change rescission, Tarion delayed closing termination, early termination conditions, financing conditions, equitable rescission for misrepresentation, and assignment.
Winning a lawsuit is one thing. Collecting on the judgment is another. Ontario provides a full arsenal of enforcement tools: writs of seizure and sale, garnishment, examination in aid of execution, receivers, fraudulent conveyances proceedings, civil contempt, and more. This guide explains every major enforcement mechanism available to judgment creditors in Ontario, how each one works, when to use it, and how to combine them for maximum recovery.
Arbitration offers businesses a faster, more private, and more flexible alternative to court litigation — but it is governed by a detailed legal framework that every party to an arbitration clause should understand. This guide explains how arbitration works in Ontario: the legislative framework, the arbitration agreement, how proceedings are conducted, the role of the courts, and how awards are challenged and enforced — including the key principles of competence-competence, party autonomy, and separability that shape every arbitration from start to finish.
Franchising accounts for over $120 billion in annual Canadian sales. Ontario’s Arthur Wishart Act gives franchisees some of the strongest statutory protections in the country, including strict pre-sale disclosure requirements and powerful rescission rights. This article explains how franchising is regulated in Ontario and across Canada, what the key franchise agreement provisions mean in practice, how courts have treated the franchisor-franchisee relationship, and how Canadian law compares to the US regime.
Guarantees are signed every day in commercial transactions — as a condition of a bank loan, a commercial lease, or a franchise agreement. They create serious personal liability, and they are often signed without full understanding of the risk. This article explains what guarantees are, what makes them enforceable, the defences available when a creditor calls on a guarantee, and the rights a guarantor has against both the creditor and the principal.
If someone has wronged you, there is a window of time within which you can sue — and once it closes, it closes for good. Ontario’s limitation periods framework sets a two-year basic deadline running from discovery, and a fifteen-year ultimate cap. But the rules are more nuanced than they look. This guide explains when the clock starts, when it can be paused, how specific claims like defamation, personal injury, and contract disputes are treated, and what happens across the country.
A minority shareholder who has themselves behaved badly may still succeed in an oppression claim — but the clean hands doctrine can limit or deny relief where the complainant’s own misconduct is directly connected to what they are asking the court to remedy. This article explains when the doctrine applies, when it does not, and what it means in practice for shareholder disputes.
Money laundering is one of the most serious financial crimes in Canada — and the obligation to detect and report it falls on a surprisingly wide range of businesses. Banks, real estate agents, lawyers, accountants, casinos, and dealers in precious metals all have detailed compliance obligations under the PCMLTFA. This guide explains the law, who it applies to, and what the consequences of non-compliance are.
A real estate agent’s legal obligations go far beyond finding a buyer or showing properties. In Ontario, agents operate under TRESA, the Code of Ethics, fiduciary duties, and the general law of negligence and misrepresentation — all at once. This article explains what those obligations are, illustrated with real cases where agents were found liable for falling short of them.
The most important question in any contract dispute is not whether there was a breach — it is what remedy the injured party can actually obtain. This article covers the full range of remedies for breach of contract in Canada: compensatory damages, specific performance, injunctions, gains-based recovery, and punitive damages, along with the limiting rules that govern each.
Most defamation cases involve something written. But spoken words can be just as damaging to a reputation, and in the right circumstances they are fully actionable. This article explains slander, how it differs from libel, when proof of actual financial loss is required, and when the law dispenses with that requirement entirely.
A false review on Google Maps can reach thousands of people and stay there indefinitely. The person behind it may be anonymous and untraceable. Can you sue Google instead? Recent Canadian decisions in Thorpe v. Boakye and Jeffery v. Almusslat suggest the answer is increasingly yes, where the platform had notice, had control, and chose not to act.
The board of directors sits at the centre of Canadian corporate governance, bearing ultimate legal responsibility for how a corporation is managed. This article covers the statutory requirements for board composition, the meaning of director independence, what powers the board can and cannot delegate, and how unanimous shareholders’ agreements redistribute duties and liabilities between directors and shareholders.
When you know a wrong has been committed but cannot identify who did it, ordinary civil procedure offers no path forward. The Norwich Order fills that gap. It compels a third party mixed up in wrongdoing to disclose information before proceedings start, allowing a victim to identify a wrongdoer, trace stolen assets, or confirm whether a cause of action exists. This article explains the test, the limits, and how the remedy works in practice.
Silence is generally not fraud — but in a meaningful range of circumstances it is, and the consequences are identical to an outright lie. This article explains when Canadian courts will find that a party’s failure to speak is actionable fraud, what duty to disclose arises and from what relationships, how half-truths are treated, and how fraudulent concealment can suspend limitation periods that would otherwise bar a claim.
Ontario’s corporate statutes give dissenting shareholders the right to exit at court-determined fair value — but the remedy is only as strong as the procedure you follow and the valuation methodology behind it. This guide covers all three types of appraisal remedy and explains how Chartered Business Valuators and courts actually determine what shares are worth.
Here is a scenario that sounds almost too harsh to be real. A woman agrees to pay her ex-husband’s life insurance premiums in exchange for
When people or organizations place their trust in someone to act on their behalf, the law imposes a special standard of conduct known as a
Breach of Confidence in Canadian Law: Trust, Misuse, and Remedies In commercial and professional relationships, trust is currency. Parties routinely exchange non-public information—technical data, strategic
Urgent Commercial Remedies in Ontario: Protecting Rights Before It’s Too Late Commercial disputes can escalate quickly, especially where there is a risk that vital evidence
Flight delays, denied boarding, and cancellations are among the most common disruptions in modern air travel. For passengers, the legal consequences of these events depend on whether the disruption is classified as delay or nonperformance and on which legal framework applies.
Rule 49 offers to settle are a cornerstone of civil litigation in Ontario. They reflect a deliberate policy choice to encourage settlement and reduce the burden of trials. By attaching significant costs consequences to the rejection of reasonable offers, the rule compels litigants to weigh the risks of trial carefully.
Cross-examination is widely regarded as one of the most powerful tools in the trial process. It is not only a feature of the adversarial system but a defining characteristic that sets it apart from other legal traditions. Through cross-examination, the evidence of witnesses is tested for accuracy, reliability, and truthfulness. Where examination-in-chief allows a party to present its own case in an orderly fashion, cross-examination permits opposing counsel to probe, challenge, and, where appropriate, dismantle that account.
The ruling in Kulyk v. Guastella reminds us of the importance of timely dealing with civil defamation claims, regardless of concurrent criminal proceedings. Justice Myers’ decision, grounded in the interpretation of the Limitations Act, emphasizes an objective standard for initiating defamation claims. Potential plaintiffs must therefore remain vigilant and proactive in protecting their legal rights against defamatory accusations, even amidst criminal proceedings.
Pleading fraud requires clarity, precision, and a well-documented factual basis. While the potential for recovering consequential or even punitive damages can be attractive, the risks of dismissal and adverse cost implications underscore the need for a meticulously prepared claim.
Businesses of every size invest substantial time and money into developing their brand, trade names, and goodwill. Whether it’s a distinctive logo, a well-recognized label, a slogan that resonates with customers, or even a unique style of packaging, these assets help a business establish its identity and build a loyal consumer base. When others attempt to imitate or capitalize on this reputation—confusing the public in the process—the law of passing off and unfair competition in Canada comes into play.
Shareholder rights in Ontario rest on a framework that includes corporate statutes like the OBCA and CBCA, the corporation’s own governing documents, and common law principles developed through years of judicial precedent. These rights ensure that individuals who invest in a company have some means of monitoring its activities, participating in major decisions, and seeking redress if those at the helm engage in improper or unfair conduct.
Pleadings are the bedrock of any civil litigation case in Ontario. Understanding what they are, how they function, and why they matter is crucial for anyone involved in a lawsuit—whether you are a plaintiff seeking compensation or a defendant trying to minimize liability. The Ontario Rules of Civil Procedure (particularly Rules 25 to 29) lay out precise requirements for drafting, serving, and amending pleadings, as well as for bringing additional parties or claims into the fold.
A gift is more than a generous gesture. It is a legal transaction that can be challenged for lack of capacity, undue influence, or failure to meet the requirements of delivery and intent. This guide explains the key principles of Canadian gift law.
When it is time to move from reading to resolving, Grigoras Law handles civil, commercial, and appellate matters across Ontario, and select cross-border files. The right counsel changes the calculation. For plaintiffs, that means a practical assessment of viable causes of action, a realistic view of recovery prospects, and a clear read on urgent interim relief if the facts support it. For defendants, it means pleadings assessed, defences triaged, and a strategy that keeps the file from consuming your business while it runs.
A contract has been breached, a partner has acted against your interests, a director has crossed a line, or money is at risk of disappearing. You want to understand what can be recovered, what urgent relief is available before trial, and whether the case is worth running.
Start plaintiff intake → Defendant intakeYou have been served with a statement of claim, an oppression application, or a demand that threatens proceedings. You need the pleadings assessed, the defences triaged, and a strategy that keeps the file from consuming your business while it runs.
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