This Month in Nova Scotia Family Law – October 2023

Davis v Harrison, 2023 NSCA 74 Judges: Justice Anne S. Derrick; Chief Justice Michael J. Wood and Justice Joel E. Fichaud concurring Subject Matter: Matrimonial property; Pension division; s. 13 MPA; Costs; Fresh Evidence Summary: The parties were married for 20 years. The contested issues at trial included the division of the appellant’s Canadian Armed […]

This Month in Nova Scotia Family Law – April 2023

Ezurike v Gbeve, 2023 NSCA 27 Judge: Chief Justice Michael J. Wood Subject Matter: Motion by written submission (Civil Procedure Rule 90.38) Justice Peter Bryson dismissed Mr. Ezurike’s motion for an extension of time to file his appeal. The proposed appeal related to a Corollary Relief Order issued by Justice Samuel Moreau of the Nova […]

Case Law Update: Recent Key Decisions in the Atlantic Provinces

On Friday, December 1st, 2022, a panel of Cox & Palmer insurance lawyers from across the region presented our Case Law Update: Recent Key Decisions in the Atlantic Provinces Webinar, which covered current developments and recent key decisions in the region, from the last couple of years. Access Paper Here

April 9, 2019

New Brunswick Court of Appeal Rejects Loss of Inheritance Claim...

Written by David G. O’Brien, KC. The recent decision of the New Brunswick Court of Appeal in Higgins v. Arseneau, 2019 NBCA 21, will be of interest for anyone involved with fatality claims in New Brunswick. The Court upheld the trial decision dismissing a claim brought on behalf of siblings for loss of inheritance arising […]

CPP Disability Payments Deductible From Future Loss

The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal overturned a motion decision in Sparks v Holland, 2019 NSCA 3 (“Sparks”), holding that Canadian Pension Program (“CPP”) disability payments are deductible from future loss of income and earning capacity. Background The respondent, Catherine Holland, was involved in a motor vehicle accident with the appellant, Josh Sparks, on May […]

Two IMEs, one doctor: Retaining the same medical expert to...

The recent decision of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Saccary v Vonhammerstein presents an interesting issue on independent medical examinations (IMEs) at the request of Section A insurers.

January 31, 2018

Case Commentary: Noel v. Butler, 2016 NBCA 49 – Implications...

The facts in Noel v. Butler, 2016 NBCA 49, [Noel] are not complicated. This was a fourteen year common law relationship spanning from approximately 1998 until 2012. Ms. Butler had been a teacher since 1985 and had pension with a commuted value of $909,286.51 as of the date of separation.

The Exclusion for Intentional or Criminal Acts

Issues of the applicability of the intentional or criminal acts exclusion will arise in both the duty to defend context as well as with respect to the obligation to indemnify. As with any case that involves the interpretation of any aspect of an insurance policy, knowledge of the basic principles of insurance law developed by the Supreme Court of Canada is essential.