Jacob Gehlen joins Stewart McDannold Stuart
January 23, 2025Announcements
Jacob Gehlen has joined SMS as an associate in its Litigation group. Jacob was called to the B.C. Bar in 2016 and has spent his career conducting high-level civil litigation with leading firms in Vancouver. Jacob earned his law degree from the University of Toronto after obtaining an undergraduate degree at McGill University. We are […]
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Season’s Greetings from Stewart McDannold Stuart
December 23, 2024Announcements
From all the lawyers and support staff at Stewart McDannold Stuart, we wish you all the best for the holiday season and a happy and prosperous New Year. Please note that our office will be closed from December 25th to 27th.
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A Real Stair Case: Permitting Shoreline Stairs Raises Neighbour Dispute
November 19, 2024Legal Updates
The recent decision of Armstrong v. District of North Saanich, 2024 BCSC 1844 involved the District of North Saanich finding itself in the middle of a neighbour dispute. It is an important decision in confirming that the courts cannot and will not interfere with local government decisions so long as the local government can demonstrate it […]
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Notice This! Navigating Tax Sale Notice Requirements
September 26, 2024Legal Updates
At 10:00 am on October 7, 2024, municipal tax collectors across British Columbia will conduct the statutorily mandated annual tax sale for 2024. Properties with delinquent property tax accounts, which are those with three years of unpaid property taxes, will be sold to the highest bidder above the “upset price.” The upset price is the […]
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Is a Guinea Fowl a Fowl: an Offender’s Intention and the Interpretation of Bylaws
September 3, 2024Legal Updates
On June 17, 2024, in the judgment of R v Reid, 2024 BCSC 1044, Madam Justice Sharma of the British Columbia Supreme Court released her decision on what, at first blush, appears to be an undeniably odd question under appeal: is a guinea fowl a “fowl” for the purposes of Vancouver’s Animal Control Bylaw 9150 […]
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All’s Fair in Love and Latecomer Fees
July 25, 2024Legal Updates
In the recent decision Ironclad Developments Inc. v. West Kelowna (City), 2024 BCSC 1285, the Honourable Madam Justice Hardwick held that local governments do not owe procedural fairness rights to property owners when charging them latecomer fees.
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Supreme Court Considers Impact of Zoning in Constructive Expropriation
July 23, 2024Legal Updates
In the recent decision of St. John’s (City) v. Lynch, 2024 SCC 17, the Supreme Court of Canada clarified the law on constructive expropriation. The Court examined how zoning and land use regulations impact the compensation owed to a property owner for expropriation.
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Mel van Fram Joins Stewart McDannold Stuart
July 12, 2024Lawyers
Amelia (Mel) van Fram has joined SMS as an associate on both the litigation and solicitor teams, after having completed her articles here. Mel received her Juris Doctor from the University of Victoria and was recently called to the B.C. Bar. We are excited to officially welcome Mel to the team.
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Permit Pitfalls: Lessons for Local Governments from Vanderhaeghe
June 4, 2024Legal Updates
In the recent decision of Sunshine Coast (Regional District) v. Vanderhaeghe, 2024 BCCA 169 (“Vanderhaeghe”), a development permit issued based on a mistaken interpretation of a non-conforming use provision of the Local Government Act (the “LGA”) implicitly granted a homeowner a development variance permit.
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Marshall Putnam Joins Stewart McDannold Stuart
June 4, 2024Lawyers
Marshall Putnam has joined SMS as a litigation associate. Prior to joining us, Marshall practiced in Kamloops, B.C. in the area of Charter litigation, constitutional challenges, and tortious claims. He recently earned his Master of Laws degree from University of Edinburgh after previously receiving his Juris Doctor degree from University of Calgary. We are excited […]
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