James C Morton
EZRA LEVANT is correct — and Wildrose will win Alberta
I don’t normally quote Ezra with approval (he is smart but we are not really on the same political wavelength) but… in this piece I think he is dead on.…
Today is the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking
There were 6 ice warnings received by Titanic on the day of the collision. They were all ignored by the wireless operator who was preoccupied with transmitting passenger messages. On…
Asbestos in ancient times
The Romans used to use asbestos in their cloths for daily use – such as dish-towels, napkins, and table cloths. Pliny the Elder said that they could be cleaned whiter…
Undoubted authority of a trial judge to control the proceedings, including the authority to require that witnesses are fairly questioned, and not subject to unfocused, repetitive, ambiguous or irrelevant questions
R. v. Windibank, 2012 ONCA 237 has useful language on the authority of the Court to control questioning of witnesses: The appellant acknowledges the undoubted authority of a trial judge to control…
If a debt guarantee is included in a mortgage what is the limitation period? Ten years
Equitable Trust Company v. Marsig, 2012 ONCA 235 deals with what limitation period applies when a debt guarantee is part of a mortgage. The Court holds ten years: I agree with the…
Emergency wiretap provision, s. 184.4 of the Criminal Code, held unconstitutional
R. v. Tse, 2012 SCC 16, released a few moments ago, holds s 184.4 of the Criminal Code unconstitutional, primarily because of a lack of accountability provisions. The Court notes…
Do you know why you are requested to raise your right hand when taking an oath?
In ancient times people born in slavery were branded on the palm of the right hand and were not entitled to the privilege of taking an oath. The right hand…
Did you represent yourself in court?
CBC.ca | Ontario Today | Friday: Did you represent yourself in court?
Striking a jury
MacGregor v. Potts, 2012 ONCA 226 is an interesting example of a case where the party filing a jury notice successfully moved to have the jury struck: The respondents (plaintiffs)…
Personal Liability of a Corporate Director
It is startling how often directors of corporations are added to claims without any legal basis. The very recent Newfoundland decision in BAE-Newplan Group Limited v. Dalton, 2012 NLCA 21…
Tori Stafford murder trial: Tori’s blood found in Rafferty’s gym bag, trial told
This really is critical evidence; independent corroboration of what Terri-Lynne McClintic has been saying: http://www.thestar.com/mobile/NEWS/article/1159650 LONDON, ONT.— Science took centre stage at theTori Stafford murder trial Wednesday as the…
Reasonable and probable grounds must have an objective component
R. v. Brown, 2012 ONCA 225 is a good source for the proposition that reasonable and probable grounds must be objectively demonstrable: In our view, however, there must be something in the…