Local Governments May Owe a Duty of Care to Process Development Applications in a Timely Way

Written by: Peter Johnson, Jeff Locke, Andie Britton-Foster

December 13, 2017Legal Updates
In Wu v. Vancouver (City) 2017 BCSC 2072, Madam Justice Murray of the BC Supreme Court held that the City of Vancouver owed a duty of care to the plaintiffs, the purchasers of a home in the Shaughnessy area, who had applied for a development permit for the demolition of an existing house and construction […]
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Capilano University Course

Written by: SMS Lawyers

November 1, 2017Announcements
Kathryn Stuart will be teaching a session on administrative law on November 17, as part of Capilano University’s Local Government Law Course.
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Upcoming CLEBC Course on Planning and Development Law

Written by: SMS Lawyers

November 1, 2017Announcements
The Continuing Legal Education Society of BC is presenting a one day course on planning and development law on November 23, at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver. Peter Johnson will be participating, and will present a session on Practice Management and Ethics Issues in the Planning and Development Process.
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Michael Hargraves Moves On to New Opportunity

Written by: SMS Lawyers

September 20, 2017Announcements
Michael Hargraves, a partner in our solicitor’s group, is leaving SMS to take on a new role as Municipal Solicitor for the District of Saanich.   We have valued Michael’s contributions to the firm and are sorry to see him go, but wish him the best in his new position.
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New Articled Student

Written by: SMS Lawyers

September 18, 2017Announcements
We are pleased to announce that Andie Britton-Foster, a graduate of the University of Victoria Law School, has joined us for her year of articles.
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The Annual Tax Sale Approaches!

Written by: Peter Johnson

September 18, 2017Legal Updates
Here is a link to our post from last year concerning the annual municipal tax sale: The Annual Tax Sale Approaches!
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Litigation Associate Position at Stewart McDannold Stuart

Written by: SMS Lawyers

June 27, 2017Announcements
Stewart McDannold Stewart is a mid-sized law firm located in Victoria, B.C., providing a full range of legal services to local governments throughout the Province for more than 25 years. We pride ourselves on providing an exceptional level of service to our clients.
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New Building Act Regulations

Written by: Peter Johnson

May 14, 2017Legal Updates
The Building Act General Regulation was amended in February of this year and again in April, and the changes further clarify the impact that the Building Act will have on local government jurisdiction.
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Local Governments, Administrative Tribunals, and the Ongoing Dispute Over the Trans Mountain Pipeline

Written by: Madelaine Campbell

May 14, 2017Legal Updates
Administrative tribunals are decision-making bodies that are part of the system of justice in Canada, and the decisions they make can have significant impacts on local governments. The British Columbia Court of Appeal’s recent ruling, Burnaby (City) v Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC, 2017 BCCA 132, confirms that, when interpreting and applying their enabling statutes, certain […]
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LGMA 2017

Written by: SMS Lawyers

May 14, 2017Announcements
The Local Government Management Association annual conference is scheduled for May 16 to 18 in Penticton. If you’re planning to attend, you won’t want to miss the following sessions. On May 17, Jeff Locke will be presenting “Managing Public Expectation in the Event of a Claim”, with Sherman Chow of the Municipal Insurance Association of […]
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