Disputes in real estate are more common than many people realize. Real estate transactions are meant to be exciting milestones—buying your first home, selling a family cottage, or closing a commercial investment. However, when legal problems arise, that excitement can quickly turn into stress, delays or even a court case.

In Ontario construction contracts, payment timelines have always been a contentious issue, especially when general contractors insert pay-when-paid clauses into agreements with subcontractors. These clauses typically state that the contractor will not pay the subcontractor until the contractor themself has been paid by the project owner. While that may seem like a fair approach to protect against cash flow crunches, it often leaves subcontractors stuck waiting for payment—sometimes indefinitely—even after they have completed their work.

If you are facing a dispute over an estate and want to find alternatives to court for estate litigation, there are practical options worth considering. Taking a dispute to court can be stressful, expensive, and often takes years to resolve, especially with Ontario’s backlogged court system. Fortunately, with the guidance of an experienced estate lawyer, you can explore other ways to resolve the matter more efficiently and with less conflict. Mediation, arbitration, and med-arb are all effective alternatives that may help you avoid the courtroom entirely.

A broken contract can turn a straightforward deal into a costly and stressful mess. Whether it is a business partnership, a service agreement, or a building project, contracts are meant to create clarity and security. But even the most carefully drafted agreement can unravel, and when it does, the fallout can include financial losses, damaged relationships, and legal battles.

A dispute between shareholders often comes up when there is a serious disagreement about how the business is being run. One shareholder might feel left out of important decisions, concerned about financial transparency, or suspicious of a conflict of interest. These issues can arise between majority and minority shareholders, or even between equal partners who play different roles in the business.

Running a business is not just about day-to-day operations, it also means taking on legal accountability and being aware of the ways to avoid litigation. Even minor missteps can lead to major legal issues, especially if you do not have the right safeguards in place. The good news? A few proactive measures can go a long way to protecting your company, reducing the risk of legal trouble and staying prepared in case a dispute arises.

Limitation periods related to construction contracts are essential to understand, whether it is a contract between a construction company and a contractor, municipality or business. In Ontario, these legal deadlines set the window for taking action and missing them can result in losing the right to pursue a claim altogether. Ensuring your contract reflects these timelines and protects your business if a dispute arises is a key reason to work with a construction lawyer. These are the basics of Ontario construction law limitation periods to consider.

If you are an employee or an employer in Ontario, you have probably heard about non-compete agreements — clauses in employment contracts that try to stop employees from working for a competitor after leaving a job. But are these agreements legally enforceable anymore? And when do they still apply? How can you legally protect your business in Ontario today?

Starting a business with someone who shares your goals and passion can be an exciting step, but when you are just beginning, you do not necessarily think about ending a business partnership. Even when things begin on the right foot, not every partnership lasts forever. Over time, partners may face disagreements, grow apart professionally, or decide to pursue different paths. When that happens, ending the partnership becomes necessary—and it is not always a straightforward process.

When entering into a construction contract as a builder hiring a contractor or tradesperson, it is essential to take a careful look at the terms before signing. This agreement outlines who is responsible for what, how much the work will cost, and what happens if things do not go as planned. But without knowing what to look for, it is easy to overlook potential risks that could lead to delays, unexpected expenses, disputes, or even legal action down the road. That is where working with a construction lawyer proves to be a huge asset to your business.

Taking on the role of an estate executor is a big responsibility and, when someone passes away, your duties will be key to settling the will. You are not just handing out inheritances — you are legally responsible for managing everything the deceased left behind, from debts to taxes to property. If things are not handled properly, executors can sometimes be held personally liable.

Change orders are one of the most common sources of conflict in construction projects. Whether it is a request for extra work, unexpected site conditions, or changes in materials, disputes often arise when the scope of work shifts—along with the cost.

When business disputes arise, choosing between mediation or litigation can have a major impact on your company’s future. Whether it is a disagreement between long-time partners or a conflict with a new vendor, how you resolve the issue can affect everything from your finances to your working relationships. Both mediation and litigation offer different paths forward—each with its own advantages and drawbacks.

A failed real estate transaction can feel like a nightmare, but it happens more often than you think. Whether you are buying or selling, an unexpected collapse can bring financial stress, legal complications, and plenty of frustration. But do not panic—there are steps you can take to recover and move forward, the first step being to contact a well seasoned real estate lawyer.

If you have put in the time and effort to complete a renovation on someone’s home but have not been paid, a construction lien is a legal option to collect what you are owed. Construction law in Ontario is complex, with strict deadlines and procedures that must be followed. Even lawyers who frequently work with construction law sometimes struggle with the details, so it is important to understand how to protect yourself and your business. To help give you a general understanding let’s review the basics of construction liens.

When someone wrongs you in Ontario, you do not have to just accept it, you can choose to pursue either monetary or non-monetary remedies through civil litigation. The civil justice system provides a formal way to adjudicate disputes between people, businesses, or organizations.. To help you better understand this area of litigation, we have outlined a brief explanation of how civil litigation works in Ontario. Though keep in mind if you have questions or a case to discuss, our experienced legal team is always here to help.

Disagreements are part of doing business and so is commercial litigation. Whether it is a dispute over a contract, unpaid invoices, or business practices, conflicts need to be resolved. Sometimes, that means going to court. As commercial litigation lawyers in Simcoe County, we see firsthand how disputes can affect businesses, beyond the legal costs. Lawsuits can have serious long-term consequences beyond the initial issue, so before you enter into litigation, be sure you know what those consequences are.

Letting an employee go is never easy but doing it the right way is essential to avoid wrongful dismissal disputes. If a termination is not carried out according to employment laws, an employer could face costly, time-consuming, and stressful legal claims. Therefore, it is imperative for employers to follow proper procedures when ending a working relationship with an employee. This also extends to situations involving an “independent contractor” who may, in fact, be a “dependent contractor” or perhaps even an employee under certain circumstances.

Easement disputes are a common issue for property owners in Ontario. An easement is a legal right that allows someone to use another person’s land for a specific purpose. A good example would be on a property where a driveway is made a legal easement to access a property that is landlocked or further inland away from the main roads. Unlike a simple permission that can be revoked at any time, an easement remains in place even if the property is sold to a new owner. Because easements affect how land can be used, they can influence property values and lead to disputes between neighbours when they aren’t clearly outlined or the boundaries understood.

Business partnership break-ups can sometimes be more complicated and stressful than a personal separation. Many people start businesses with friends or family, relying on trust and good intentions rather than putting formal agreements in place. Sometimes, they skip legal documents to save money in the beginning. But when disagreements arise—especially after a business has become successful—having no clear plan makes things much harder to resolve.