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Letter of the Law

Issues Available Online

Letter of the Law -- Winter 2004

Letter of the Law -- Summer, Fall 2004

Letter of the Law -- Spring, 2004

Letter of the Law -- Winter, 2003

Letter of the Law -- Fall, 2003

Letter of the Law -- Summer, 2003

Letter of the Law -- Spring, 2003

Letter of the Law -- Winter, 2002

Letter of the Law -- Fall, 2002

Letter of the Law -- Summer, 2002

Letter of the Law -- Spring, 2002

Letter of the Law -- Winter, 2001

Letter of the Law -- Fall, 2001

Letter of the Law -- Summer, 2001

Letter of the Law -- Spring, 2001

Letter of the Law -- Winter, 2000

Letter of the Law -- Fall, 2000

Letter of the Law -- Summer, 2000

Letter of the Law -- Spring, 2000

Letter of the Law -- Winter, 1999

Letter of the Law -- Fall, 1999

Letter of the Law -- Summer, 1999

Letter of the Law -- Spring, 1999

Index to Letter of the Law: 1988 to 1999

Index to Volumes 1-3, Autumn 1988 to Autumn 1991

Volume One, Number One - Fall 1988

Settling disputes in a fast, efficient, more informal way
The Singleton Urquhart philosophy: Progressive, efficient case management
The high, hidden cost of firing: How to shield your firm from wrongful-dismissal suits
Client Alert: BC's amended law is making construction industry more complicated for Contractors
Mock-trial video about malpractice features our firm
Adjust your car's headrest - or you may suffer in court

Volume One, Number Two - Winter 1989

Good Samaritans: Legal perils of trying to rescue a person in peril
U.K. decision says economic loss not legally recoverable
EPSILON: Pioneering BC computer system will revolutionize legal research on personal injury
Charter of Rights offers no protection for the professional facing a discipline hearing
Client Alert: New expert-witness rules

Volume One, Number Three - Spring 1989

Advice to professionals: Mind cocktail-party chat
Resolving disputes: 2 case studies
Dispute-resolution clauses? Here's how to incorporate them
Canadian Charter guarantees mobility rights for professionals who relocate in a new province
Tenders: Receiving the bid is really only the beginning

Volume One, Number Four - Summer 1989

Shopping-centre tenants face good news and bad in contract decision
How to minimize the cost of AIDS int he workplace
Glenn Urquhart's 10 Commandments for Professionals
The lore and law of labor and materials bonds: A briefing for those involved in a construction project

Volume Two, Number One - Autumn 1989 (Special Issue on Environmental Law)

What do you do when the whole sky is falling in?
Pollution's ethical, legal dilemmas
WHMIS: Controlling workplace-materials hazards
Professionals must realize asbestos risk
Consultants get headaches from `sick' buildings
The Canadian Environment: Need-to-know legislation Federal

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA)
The Federal Fisheries Act
The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act British Columbia
The Environmental Management Act
The Waste Management Act
The Clean Air Act
The Clean Water Act
The Land Surface Conservation and Reclamation Act
The Mines and Minerals Act
The Oil and Gas Conservation
The Oil Sands Conservation Act

Client Alert: Construction projects must meet federal and provincial environmental law
Non-confrontation urged to resolve pollution disputes
Director Mom can be liable for pollution
Good systems, reasonable precautions establish environmental defence of due diligence
How confidential are company's pollution audits and in-house manuals

Volume Two, Number Two - Winter 1990

Court's ruling on maternity leave may boost employers' costs considerably
`Builder can't sue owner's consultant for design errors'
In BC, land contracts can be legal even if unsigned
Client Alert: keep your interest up on overdue account
Rights Charter constrains governing of professionals

Volume Two, Number Three - Spring 1990 (Special Issue on Criminal Law)

Border-crossers: beware of steep customs penalties
Law pulls the plug on laundering
Charter's `privacy clause' puts crimp in wiretapping
Caveat contractor: false declaration is a real crime
Builder's lien breach can mean jail
Conviction can invalidate insurance
A legal primer on drinking/driving

Volume Two, Number Four - Summer 1990

Parents can face civil liability for negligence in supervising children
Supreme Court decision affects law of evidence
A warning to professional consultants: Hazardous wastes can be perilous to your practices
New BC Hydro contracts fairer and more efficient
In the wake of our Meech Lake Dis-accord, Joe and Jane Canuck in for rough Constitutional ride
British Columbia Builders Lien Act now under review

Volume Three, Number One - Autumn 1990 (Special Issue on Insolvency)

The ABC's of declaring bankruptcy - and all the options

Bankruptcy
Proposal in Bankruptcy
Informal Proposal
Orderly Payment of Debts
Company's Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA)

Bankruptcy and receivership: Defining the differences
The hard realties of receivership: How it works, what it means for debtor and creditor
Bankruptcy doesn't necessarily doom the professional

British Columbia
Alberta

What insolvency can mean for those who've dealt with the debtor
Gimme Shelter: The law may not allow insolvents to transfer assets, escape creditors
Putting it back together: a discharge from bankruptcy's depths puts debtor back in the swim

Volume Three, Number Two - Winter 1991

Why professionals should think twice about suing for fees
A Murphy's Law for negligence in construction
Time to look at corporate pension plans
Expert witnesses: Why they should not present `tame' testimony
The GST and legal services: A primer

Volume Three, Number Three - Spring 1991

Builder can be liable for many design defects
Decide on termination notice before you sign employee contract
Insurer's Alert: Alberta court decision rejects Ministry's subrogated right to recover hospital costs
BC Appeal Court upholds ruling that contractor cannot sue owner's design professionals
Indian Act still applies to developers' projects on reserve lands - despite major new BC decision
Reformers want time limit on launching of lawsuits
BC Small Claims Court's maximum raised to $10,000

Volume Three, Number Four - Summer 1991 (Special Issue on Insurance and the Law)

Insurer may not defend drunk driver
Asbestos-removal ruling affects CGL exposure
Fraudulent-accident case highlights tort of deceit
Alberta's Judgment and Settlement rules assist parties in resisting unrealistic claims
Even public agents have duty of care to advise clients on available insurance coverage
Insured party or insurance company: exactly who does defence counsel really represent?
`Gratuitous' passengers' right to sue established under new act in Alberta
Review all of plaintiff's medical records in defending motor-vehicle personal-injury actions
BC's International Commercial Arbitration Centre: 5 successful years

Index to Volumes 4-5, Autumn 1991 to December 1993

Volume Four, Number One - Autumn 1991 (Special Issue on Construction Law)

Contractors - and others - beware recent ruling on bid-bond forfeiture
Builders' liens: A step-by-step action primer
You may feel like you're drowning in paper, but good record-keeping can ease claims settlement
Proposals would transform construction contracts
Qualifying construction-dispute claims: An expert in the field explains the art and science
BC and Alberta proposing builders'-lien legislation

Volume Four, Number Two - March 1992

How to handle noise, smells and other nuisances
Tendering to win: An architect gives his views on bidding
Drinking and driving: What to do at a roadblock
Rulings better bidders' rights with governments
Tendering with BC Hydro: Here are the basics from one of Hydro's contract experts

Volume Four, Number Three - June 1992

Toxic sites: Everyone involved in a project might be responsible
Special advisory relationships: Our firm argues successful case
Municipalities' unique dispute-settlement process may have broad implications in business, other arenas
Polluter-pays principle part of discussion paper issued by BC Environment Industry for public comment
Precedent-setting Ontario case finds directors of company personally liable for environmental offences
Supreme Court of Canada rules on pure economic loss

Volume Four, Number Four - September 1992

Medical records: Doctor must give access to patient
Failure to wear seat belts reduces awards to plaintiffs dramatically
The real cost of professional's day in court: Consider efficiency, organization and cash flow
How expert witnesses can avoid or reduce the very real burden of having to testify in court
Supreme Court decision changing principle of double recovery of wages lost due to accident
Doctors, dentists and others in health care must be aware of evolving medical-waste legislation

Volume Five, Number One - December 1992

Proving medical/dental negligence not always plaintiffs' role: Courts
Courts divided on environmental audit disclosure
Gordon Phillips' new book discusses personal suits for corporate `injuries'
Investors suing accountants must prove they read - and relied upon - financial statements
`Profitable Contractor' materials available

Volume Five, Number Two - March 1993

Why pre-contract negotiations must not mislead
Employers, unions must accommodate employees `up to point of hardship'
Contracts must rule out liability for any negligent misrepresentation
Contractors: In enforcing builder's lien, proceed carefully to protect arbitration rights
Alberta's new Environmental Protection Act to widen pool of individuals subject to sanctions
Court rules owner cannot appoint employee to be decision-maker under construction contract
Federal government broadens opportunities for arbitration

Volume Five, Number Three - Summer 1993

Albert's new Environmental Act kicking in
BC Court's First Nations decision to have major impact on Crown land
BC's Environmental Assessment Act withdrawn for more study after controversy
Contaminated-sites legislation will bring new responsibilities, liabilities
BC Act aids First Nations treaty negotiation

Volume Five, Number Four - December 1993

`Partnering' relationship can ensure the success of a construction project
Builders can sue engineering firms, not employees
How design consultants can respond to protect themselves from builders' suits
Confidentiality in mediation a legal issue
Engineers, project managers: Don't tell contracts how to do their own work
Impetus to improve infrastructure has many legal ramifications for builders

Index to Volumes 6-7, Spring 1994 - Summer 1995

Volume Six, Number One - March 1994

What happens if you go out on a limb and trespass to fell a neighbour's tree
For tavern-owners, new duty of care to drunk drivers
Client Alert: Draft shows direction of contaminated-sites law
BC's new Freedom of Information Act can help uncover data before, during and after litigation
Federal Environmental Assessment Act may be in place in June, BC's by next January
Linda Loo honoured with QC
Mediation becoming new power tool in resolving Canadian construction disputes
Court ruling underlines how vulnerable sub sub-contractors can be under federal bonds
Claimant's Payment Bond like a provincial lien bond
Courts imposing greater responsibilities on knowledgeable owner than on unsophisticated one

Volume Six, Number Two - June 1994

New construction contract will help resolve conflicts
ADR: A Special Issue
Project mediator's role defined
Partnering gives construction industry powerful shot in the arm to prevent disputes
Suncor plant-fire dispute ends quickly and reasonably through facilitated litigation
Appeal Court decision opens arbitration appeal grounds
BC Hydro's contract emphasizes negotiation to settle disputes out of court

Volume Six, Number Three - September 1994

Courts holding directors liable for pollution
Walking the environmental tightrope: A special issue
Municipalities to be given say on underground storage tanks
When is spilled waste not an offence?
New environmental bill of rights
Gas spill? Whoops!
Assessment Act will affect every enterprise that touches on British Columbia's environment
BC government introduces plan, code that will change the way forests are managed
Consensus key to environmental rules
Changes to contaminated sites laws
SUM partner representative at Kemano hearings

Volume Six, Number Four - December 1994

Building buyers: Beware of legal black holes
Lump sum severance pay not always fired employee's right
City not bound to ensure buildings up to code
Insurance case: Ruling decides who foots bill

Volume Seven, Number One - March 1995

Is justice blind?: A dispute over legal details tips the scales of law
When incorporation is no defence against litigation
Saskatchewan court tackles lien rights and arbitration agreement
Decision could mean a dam burst of liability for architects, engineers and builders
GVRD tries partnering for plant construction
When problems press, injunction can save the day

Volume Seven, Number Two - Summer 1995

Super-Priority! The Taxman's big grab leaves contractors empty-handed
Losing your hearing: the hidden costs of being a professional
Changed Workers Compensation Act bars some damages
Failure to act early on restrictive covenant means neighbours won't be able to see the view for the trees

Volume Seven, Number Three - Fall 1995

Landmark ruling: Asbestos in building not health, safety hazard
Termination brings wealth of payments
Q&A...on ADR (Does Mediator usurp Consultant's role in CCDC-2 contracts?)
Out of the frying pan: Expert witnesses take the heat for negligently prepared testimony
Bond to succeed: A bonding expert outlines the advantages of the design/build guarantee policy
Fair Wage Policy struck down
Appeal Court affirms right to demand arbitration

Volume Seven, Number Four - Winter 1996

Polluters beware: Provincial and Federal Assessment acts kicking in
Directors foot bills for corporate spills
B.C. litigants can now gang up on manufacturers of faulty products
Partnering-the best therapy for troubled projects
New Act casts wide net in defining lobbyists
Contaminated sites laws in legislative limbo
Glenn Urquhart honoured with Q.C.

Index to Volume 8, Spring 1996 - Fall 1996

Volume Eight, Number One - Spring 1996

Signing of Nisga'a agreement sets precedent for First Nations Claims
Influencing arbitrator short circuits dispute resolution process
Insurance agents held to professional standards
When drinks are on the boss, it's the duty of the company to see that employees get home safely
If an owner/builder has deliberately deceived municipal building inspectors, is there a way the municipality can be held liable for damages?

Volume Eight, Number Two - Summer 1996

New House of Lords decision limits damages for negligent appraisers
No changing your mind when agreement is signed
Toilet tank problems spill over into major class action

Volume Eight, Number Three - Fall 1996

Report's disclaimer shields consultant against liability
Local governments' takeover of airports means world of changes
Letting go of disabled employees
Linda A. Loo, Q.C. appointed Judge
Insurance companies spooked as lawyers obtain damages for distress, aggravation
Airports are environmental hotspots
Contaminated sites recommendations accepted

Index to Volume 9, Spring 1997 - Fall 1997

Volume Nine, Number One - Spring 1997

New divorce law sets guidelines for fair child support payments
Supreme Court says town not liable for builder's deceit
B.C. contaminated sites law
More limits put on Privacy Commissioner
Integrity of arbitration process upheld
B.C.'s new law reflects change in society's attitude to adoption
On the lighter side: surety we jest?
B.C. act aims to reunite owners with unclaimed fiscal property
SUS announces two new partners
The Usual SUSpects

Volume Nine, Number Two - Summer 1997

New tendering duties owed to trades
When does a CA not owe duty of care?
Who to sue to recover costs of site remediation
Wrongful dismissal cases may turn on inducement factor
Two new associates join SUS
The Usual SUSpects

Volume Nine, Number Three - Fall 1997

Builders' Lien Act includes change to multiple holdbacks
Supreme Court of Canada decides on dismissal of employees on disability
Employers cannot recover for the cost of losing employee's services
When are adjusters' files privileged?
The delights and dangers of e-mail missives
New associate joins SUS this fall
The Usual SUSpects

Index to Volume 10, Winter 1998 - Summer 1998

Volume Ten, Number One - Winter 1998

B.C. Court upholds non-reliance clause in builder's contract
Complying with professional codes no bar to legal liability, Court says
Equity can override law of tendering
Limitation periods and how they run
Insensitive firing may extend notice period
The Usual SUSpects

Volume Ten, Number Two - Spring 1998

Campground case underlines need to clarify purpose of a land survey
Repairer v. ICBC: surcharging shop loses payment suit
Y2K trauma awaits the unprepared
Duties and defences in leaky condo cases
Associates bring varied skills
The Usual SUSpects

Volume Ten, Number Three - Summer 1998

Aboriginal land claims
Delgamuukw: An overview of a landmark case
Land claims and the duty to consult
Uncertainty surrounds municipal interests
Must local governments provide services to First Nations' reserves and title lands?

Volume Ten, Number Four - Fall 1998

Hasty construction developer loses protection of performance bond
SUS hires new lawyers - Stephen Berezowskyj and Colleen Smith
B.C. Appeal Court says builders' reliance on architectural plans was reasonable; dismisses architect's appeal
The Usual Suspects
Supreme Court rules law of constructive trusts can bend to "good conscience"
Prompt action on claim necessary to avoid forfeiture of professional liability coverage

Index to Volume 11, Winter 1999 - Summer 1999

Volume Eleven, Number One - Winter 1999

Homeowner Protection Act mandatory warranties cover for 2, 5 and 10 years
Aboriginal law developments in B.C. after Delgamuukw
How Canadian courts view accepted professional performance standards
The Usual Suspects
SUS appoints Partners -- Kate McLean aand Michael Hewitt - and Associate - Susan Grattan-Doyle
B.C. municipalities not responsible for RCMP officers' torts
Derek Brindle conducts CLE on Y2K

Volume Eleven, Number Two - Spring 1999

Pub owner held 20 per cent responsible in patron's car accident
Insurance Act gives debtor-protection to RRSP annuity contracts
New arrivals at SUS - Richard Sarabando and Stacy F. Robertson
Work-related sexual harassment-a new tort?
Filing of Notice of Interest may protect landlords against lien claims
The Usual Suspects
Professional defendants' cases dismissed because plaintiffs called no evidence on critical elements
Government sets minimum standards for ethical conduct of Crown corporations in B.C.

Volume Eleven, Number Three - Summer 1999

B.C. insurers and sureties required to participate in mediation to settle home-building disputes
The Usual Suspects
Courts raise standard of care required of property owners and lessors
How might B.C. municipalities defend against First Nations' land claims?
Running for the Kids -- 24-Hour Relay photograph
B.C. Court rules College of Dental Surgeons to pay costs in professional discipline cases
Commercial litigation insurance allows defendants to offset risk
Builders liens manual co-authored by Derek Brindle

Volume Eleven, Number Four - Autumn 1999

Creditors accept New Home Warranty proposal of 42 cents on the dollar
Some lease renewal option clauses may have no legal value
Before making decisions or bylaws that infringe treaty or aboriginal rights , B.C. municipalities must confer with First Nations
Steps necessary to retain privilege for insurance adjusters' files
The Usual Suspects
SU hosts table at Law Courts Education Society dinner
Introducting new lawyers -- Joyce Johner and Roger Holland

Volume Twelve, Number One - Spring 2000

B.C.'s New Adult Guardian Law
How Extensive Are The Treaty Rights of B.C. First Nations?
Insurance Industry Tackles Task of Preventing Fraud
SU Names New Managing Partner
New Associates Join Singleton Urquhart
About Us at SU
Can Professional Associations Be Held Liable in Negligence?

Volume Twelve, Number Two - Summer 2000

Board Stands Firm on Waste Management Act
In a Multiparty Suit, Ride with B.C. Ferries
Court Clarifies City InspectorsÌ Duty of Care
About US at SU
The Usual Suspects
Privately Owned Land and Aboriginal Title
Levies, Penalties Ruled Tax Deductible

Volume Twelve, Number Three - Fall 2000

The Expanding Duty of Design Professionals
About US at SU
Presenting Derek And The Defenderz
Alberta Court Finds Municipal officer Liable
No Immunity in B.C. for Officials' Gross Neglect
We've Raised $50,000 For Disabled Children
Partner Profile: Derek Brindle
New Associates Bring wide-ranging Skills
Exercising A Civil Search Warrant To Prevent The Deletion of Evidence