Limiting Liability by Contract

Written by F. Richard Gosse. Background The concept is not new – parties committing to provide work or services decide to write down what each expects of the other: a scope of work, a mechanism for payment, some general provision for timelines, changes, and warranties or the like. More sophisticated engagements may (or may not) […]

Construction Contracts & Why You Should Have One

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure – particularly for construction. Whether it is a new build or a renovation, it is costly work prone to surprises. A properly drafted contract will benefit both the owner and the contractor by providing clarity and certainty. The contract should: Clearly define the scope of […]

October 12, 2022

Canada vs. The U.S.: Songwriter Collaborations and the Value of...

Introduction Two or more songwriters sit down… armed with guitars and a notepad… intending to change the world with a great song (or at least make some money). Whether songwriters co-write with their co-writer(s) in a living room, spontaneously in the studio, during a song camp, or via Zoom, it is critical that they consider […]

Have Your Contracts Stood Up Against the Pandemic?

The pandemic continues to wreak havoc on many industries. Whether it is supply chain issues, employee absences, or rental disputes, those relationships are all governed by contracts. Halifax litigation lawyer, John Boyle outlines recent court decisions and how to assess your own contracts.

Change Afoot: New Brunswick’s Construction Remedies Act

New Brunswick’s Bill 12: Construction Remedies Act received Royal Assent on December 18, 2020, and the majority of its provisions came into force on November 1, 2021.  The new Act replaces the Mechanics’ Lien Act, SNB 1973, c.M-6. While the new Construction Remedies Act retains a number of the key elements of the  Mechanics’ Lien […]

Proposed Replacement to the New Brunswick Mechanics Lien Act Introduced...

The New Brunswick Office of the Attorney General has recently submitted a proposed replacement to the current Mechanics Lien Act, SNB 1973, c.M-6. The new Act, called the Construction Remedies Act, was introduced in the provincial legislature for first reading on June 9, 2020. The proposal is to repeal the current Mechanics Lien Act and […]

December 16, 2019

Beyond Prompt Payment: Processes and Options for Timely Compensation

“I’d just like to be paid” It hardly seems fair. You’ve worked all your life gaining credentials, securing a position and building a reputation. You’ve had to create your own opportunities. No one gave you that contract; you had to compete for it and it was awarded to only you. You rallied an able workforce […]

General Holdback Chart

Each province has its own holdback requirements, which makes managing construction projects and contracts across provincial borders complex. For easy reference to holdback details across Canada, see the chart below which includes details for the holdback percentage, holdback period, lien registration deadline, and whether there is provision for an early release, for each province and […]

Who Owns That School? The Crown and the Validity of...

Terra Services Inc. v. Her Majesty the Queen 2018 NLSC 221 As the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador remains a major driver of local construction and development the issue frequently arises as to whether the protections intended by the Mechanics’ Lien Act (“MLA”) can be extended to these provincial projects.  As a general rule, the […]

June 29, 2018

Supplier Beware: Appropriate Payments at Your Own Risk

Whether you’re a general contractor, a subcontractor, or a supplier, this decision regarding the application of the Builders’ Lien Act is important for your business.