In this issue - #128 October 30, 2009

The Court of Appeal of British Columbia recently handed down its first case regarding the interpretation of Article 13 of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of Child Abduction to which Canada is a signatory. In the case of Beatty v. Schatz, 2009 BCCA 310, the Court was hearing an appeal on an expedited basis from the father of an 11 year old boy who was ordered to be returned to Ireland to complete the custody determination for the child in Ireland.

It’s a busy time in the news for the world of employment.  Much of the recent news proves that humans can be the weak link in the chain when it comes to the employment relationship.

 As most people are aware, the harmonized sales tax was introduced for British Columbia on July 23, 2009.  Many people are wondering how the new tax, which will be effective on July 1, 2010, will impact the real estate industry including the purchase of new and used residential homes.

 Parents have no right to waive their children’s right to sue, according to a  recent B.C. Supreme Court decision.

 Bill 15 requires that a person must not use an electronic device while driving or operating a motor vehicle on a highway. 

 Navigator, accountant and secretary in one, it knows more about you than you think and it'll spill its secrets to anyone who has ways of making it talk

In a recent decision the B.C. Court of Appeal has upheld a Supreme Court decision doing away with the requirement to post security for costs when an application is made to discharge a builder’s lien from title to lands.