01 Plain Language for clients and counsel
Written to be used.
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.
Find what you need
Search the library of blog posts, case commentaries, and practice notes by keyword.
Latest content
Letters of credit (LC) and bank guarantees are financial tools used to secure payment obligations. However, they differ from regular guarantees in terms of the defences against payment demands. An LC is simply an agreement to pay under certain conditions, and the law governing LCs is determined by the national jurisdiction where the LC is issued.
In Ontario, a program, known as the Whistleblower Program, was made available for public comment in 2015 and includes a confidential submission process for individuals to provide information to the OSC. In contrast, whistle-blower protection laws in the United States have a long history dating back over 150 years.
As the world becomes more connected, it’s becoming more common for Canadians to spend extended periods of time outside of Canada. With careful planning, it’s possible for Canadians to cease being a resident for Canadian income tax purposes, without giving up their Canadian citizenship.
A defamation claim does not automatically succeed. Canadian law provides defendants with a range of defences — from simple denial to truth, privilege, fair comment, and responsible communication — that can defeat a claim entirely. This article explains each defence, what must be established, and what can defeat it.
Rule 21 of Ontario’s Rules of Civil Procedure is a mechanism for dealing with situations where a claim brought by a plaintiff is clearly of a kind for which no legal relief is available or where the defence submitted by the defendant is not valid. The rule allows for the determination of certain preliminary issues that may dispose of a legal proceeding without the need for a trial to avoid delays and ensure that issues are disposed of promptly and in accordance with the Rules.
In the case of Environmental Waterproofing Inc v. Huron Tract Holdings Inc., [2023] O.J. No. 157, the court was tasked with determining which creditor had priority over a garnishment of funds held by the Sheriff.
In Ontario, under the Ontario Business Corporations Act, directors of a corporation have a legal responsibility to ensure that the corporation is financially stable before making certain transactions. This includes the payment of dividends, redemption or reacquisition of shares, reduction of stated capital, or provision of financial assistance to certain non-arm’s length persons.
As a director or officer of a public corporation in Ontario, it’s crucial to be aware of the legal implications of your actions. The Criminal Code of Canada includes a number of provisions that pertain to fraud, and these can apply to those in leadership positions within a company.
In Ontario, the Occupiers’ Liability Amendment Act, 2020, often known as Bill 118, made substantial modifications to the filing process for personal injury claims caused by snow or ice on private property. The modifications to the Occupiers’ Liability Act imposed new notification requirements on claimants.
The question of how cryptocurrencies are classified under Canadian bankruptcy law has again been brought to the forefront with the collapse of Bahamas-based cryptocurrency exchange FTX . . . While there is broad acceptance that cryptocurrencies are likely assets, there is no widespread agreement on how to classify them – are they financial assets, intangible assets, inventory, investment property or something else?
When it comes to court-appointed receiverships, there can be much confusion surrounding the issue of rent obligations. Essentially, the main tension arises from the fact that existing legal principles don’t always align with what a receiver would like to do in practice.
[W]hat happens if you do not file the statement of claim (Form 14D) within thirty days after the notice of action is issued, and you cannot get the defendant’s written consent to file it? Failure to file the statement of claim within 30 days of the notice of action being filed does not render the action a nullity.
Effective January 1, 2023, Ontario corporations governed by the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) will be required to maintain a register of individuals with significant control. This change is the result of Bill 43, which the government of Ontario approved in 2021.
The Consumer Protection Act, 2002 (“CPA”) is a piece of legislation in Ontario that was put in place to safeguard customers’ interests in their interactions with various commercial enterprises. If a consumer’s rights are infringed upon, it details the legal recourses available to them as well as the rights and responsibilities of both businesses and customers.
There is a federal law in Canada called the Investment Canada Act, and it is used to govern the flow of foreign investment into the country. At the federal level, this legislation is the only one regulating foreign investment in the country.
The Supreme Court’s decision in Saadati fundamentally altered the way in which tort law responds to mental injury by attempting to align it more closely with the way it responds to physical injuries. In this particular case, the Court upheld a trial judge’s award for Mr. Saadati’s mental injury, despite the absence of a diagnosis of a recognized psychiatric illness.
The Court of Appeal in Owsinik provided further clarity on the first element of the tort of intrusion upon seclusion: the state of mind requirement. The prohibited state of mind, whether intention or recklessness, must exist when the defendant engages in the prohibited conduct.
The GST/HST Section 167 Election is a clause that can be used in an asset purchase agreement to address the tax implications of purchasing a business. It grants the parties the ability to make a joint election for an exemption from the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) on the purchase of all or substantially all of a company’s assets, provided that certain conditions are satisfied.
If you owe tax debt, it is imperative that you are familiar with the rules that are outlined in Section 160 of the Income Tax Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 1 (5th Supp.). The Canada Revenue Agency has the authority under this provision to hold both the transferor and the transferee jointly and severally liable for any unpaid taxes that exist at the time of the property transfer.
Rule 45 of the Ontario Rules of Civil Procedure deals with the preservation of personal property that is relevant to a litigated issue. The goal of this rule is to prohibit the party who is currently in possession of the property from selling or otherwise getting rid of it before the matter has been resolved.
The Hague Convention on Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters, 1965 (also known as the Hague Service Convention) is an international treaty that sets out the rules for serving judicial and extrajudicial documents abroad in civil or commercial matters.
The National Instruments are a comprehensive set of rules and regulations that apply to the securities industry in Canada. They are issued by the Canadian Securities Administrators, an umbrella body representing each province and territory’s securities regulators. The National Instruments are intended to strengthen investor protection and promote efficient capital markets.
An order of discharge under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act releases a bankrupt individual from the majority of their debts and responsibilities. This signifies that the bankrupt is no longer legally obligated to repay their debts, and creditors can no longer pursue legal action against the bankrupt to recover the debts.
Section 37 of the Conveyancing and Law of Property Act (the “Act”) of Ontario regulates the rights and responsibilities of parties in connection to liens on lands for improvements performed under a mistake of title.
A lien is a legal claim or right to a piece of property as security for the payment of a debt or other obligation, according to the Act. A lien on lands for improvements describes a circumstance in which a person has made improvements to a piece of property under the assumption that they are the owner or have some other legal interest in the property.
The oppression remedy is intended to offer shareholders, directors, and officers with a method to seek redress where they have been subjected to oppressive treatment by the corporation. This may include instances in which the corporation has operated in a manner that is unfairly prejudicial to the interests of specific shareholders or has disregarded the rights of its directors or officers.
Asset protection planning is a process that involves organizing one’s affairs to prevent the loss of wealth due to legal actions, divorce, and taxes. To achieve this goal, many people have created asset protection trusts, which are legal arrangements that allow individuals to safeguard their assets, such as their home or other property, business, retirement funds, and children’s education savings. One type of asset protection trust that is available is the Nevada Asset Protection Trust.
Rule 31.10 of the Ontario Rules of Civil Procedure provides for the right to examine a non-party. This rule allows a party to a legal action to request that a non-party to the action be examined for discovery purposes. Examining a non-party is done to gather information or evidence that may be relevant to the case.
Law Bytes: Commercial Tenancies – Termination or Distraint?
Law Bytes: Summary Judgment Motions and Credibility Issues (Raghurai v. Chung)
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.
Start defendant intake →