This Week in Family Law Newsletter

Breaking News: Best Interests of the Dog and Cat in British Columbia?

British Columbia is now the first jurisdiction in Canada to formally recognize that a dog may have different qualities — and attract different considerations at the end of a relationship — than a kitchen table.

In an effort to modernize its Family Law Act, S.B.C. 2011, c. 25 ("FLA"), British Columbia introduced Bill 17, the Family Law Amendment Act, 2023. These amendments, passed on May 11, 2023 (now just awaiting royal assent), include new property division provisions. And among the changes is guidance for parties and courts with respect to the ownership and possession of pets upon separation.

This Brief Evidence Refresher Brought to You by the Hearsay Rule

A.M. v. D.M., 2023 CarswellOnt 4991 (S.C.J.) — Mills J.

The Tie Does Not Always Go to the Runner

A.H. v. M.T., 2023 CarswellOnt 5591 (S.C.J.) — Conlan J.

To read the full newsletter of Franks & Zalev - This Week in Family Law (Issue 23-26) click here.