E-Book Overview
Addressing ordinary people asking ordinary questions and seeking simple, straightforward answers about the law, these books are designed to cover everything from birth to death. Book I covers issues regarding beginning a career and starting a family. Book II looks at buying a house, setting up a company, or splitting up a family. Book III covers retirement issues and estate planning, and includes a sample "Last Will and Testament," "Power of Attorney," and "Living Will."
E-Book Content
LEGAL COUNSEL Copyright © Les Vandor 2001 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any process — electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise — without the prior written permission of the copyright owners and ECW PRESS. NATIONAL LIBRARY OF CANADA CATALOGUING IN PUBLICATION DATA Vandor, Les Legal counsel: frequently asked questions about the law Contents: bk. I. An introduction to the legal system, individual rights and employment rights bk. 2. Property rights, family and divorce and company rights bk. 3. Retirement, representation and wills. ISBN I-55022-483-2 V.I. ISBN I-55022-485-9 V.2. ISBN I-55022-486-7 V.3- I. Law Canada — Popular works. I. Title. KE447.V35 2001 349.71 C2001-900823-7 Author photo on back cover by Marilyn Mikkelsen Cover and text design by Tania Craan Layout by Wiesia Kolasinska Printed by AGMV Distributed in Canada by General Distribution Services, 325 Humber College Blvd., Toronto, ON M9W 7C3 Published by ECW PRESS 2120 Queen Street East, Suite 200 Toronto, ON M4E IE2 ecwpress.com This book is set in Bembo and Futura. PRINTED AND BOUND IN CANADA The publication of Legal Counsel has been generously supported by the Government of Canada through the Book Publishing Industry Development Program. Canada Disclaimer: The questions and answers that follow are meant as a guide. You are encouraged to consult with your own legal practitioner for details as to your particular situation. LEGAL COUNSEL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LAW A_jJ. V. V f BOOK ONE An Introduction to the Legal System, Individual Rights, and Employment Rights LES VAN DOR, QC ECW PRESS This page intentionally left blank To Tibor Joseph Vandor, my father TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD by the Hon. Allan McEachern, former Chief Justice of British Columbia FOREWORD by the Hon. Lome Clarke, former Chief Justice of Nova Scotia PREFACE INTRODUCTION CHAPTER ONE — INTRODUCTION TO THE LEGAL SYSTEM 1-46 INTRODUCTION LAWSUITS: professionals, car accidents, fraud, small claims court, appealing a court's decision, limitation periods, sexual assault, additional evidence, Supreme Court of Canada, legal fees and legal aid, class action suits, Weird and Wonderful Laws THE JURY SYSTEM: serving on a jury, impact of the Clinton trial on Canadian law MEDIATION: out-of-court settlements, minutes of settlement, excerpt from Ontario Superior Court Mediation Brochure LAWYERS AND JUDGES: challenging a lawyer's bill, compensation, suing lawyers and judges, court dress codes, payment methods for legal services, discharging a lawyer, Canadian Judicial Council brochure on the conduct of judges SUING OTHER ENTITIES: brokers, municipalities, traffic tickets, schools, politicians CHAPTER TWO — INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS 47-95 INTRODUCTION CONSUMERS: Buyer Beware! Airline Tickets, mail-order, payment for defective work, fine print, manufacturer's warnings CONTRACTS: payment owing, verbal contracts, shipping across borders, waivers, house repairs, bidding for contracts, liability of municipalities to homeowners NEIGHBOURS: renovations, trespassing, landlords CARS: rental cars, incomplete or la