A seven‑month marriage sparked on a sugar‑arrangement site, a $12,000/month support bid, and a dog named Frankie—this one has layers. We open with a candid walk‑through of interim spousal support: what it’s for, how courts weigh “capacity to pay,” and why selling capital assets to fund an opulent lifestyle isn’t the same as earning […]
Wills, Words, And What Counts
/in Legal News /by mtp_adminA signed page beside a will. A daughter who gave up her life to care for her parents. A court is asked to decide whether a single sheet of paper can rewrite an estate. We dig into a recent BC Supreme Court ruling to unpack how WESA’s formal requirements and the curative power of […]
When A Guest Won’t Leave
/in Legal News /by mtp_adminA single sentence in the Criminal Code can decide whether you can legally remove someone from your home—or whether you’re suddenly the one at risk of an assault charge. We break down a fresh BC Supreme Court ruling that reads purpose into Parliament’s 2011 reforms on self-defence and defence of property, answering a practical […]
How A Judge’s Questions Crossed The Line And Triggered A New Trial
/in Legal News /by mtp_adminEver wondered when a judge’s questions stop clarifying and start tilting the scales? We dive into a BC sexual assault case where the trial judge’s heavy-handed interventions—pages of pointed questioning, steering how evidence was led, and relying on answers personally elicited—pushed the process past what a reasonable observer would call fair. The conviction didn’t […]
When Your Outfit Is “Red To Hide Blood,” You’ve Made Bad Choices
/in Legal News /by mtp_adminA 20-year online feud that began on a community website ended with a meticulously planned attack inside a BC courtroom—red clothes to hide blood, a packed suitcase, a knife and a hammer, and alcohol for courage. We walk through how the trial judge weighed mental health evidence against extensive planning, why the NCRMD standard […]
Bail Myths, Real Fixes
/in Legal News /by mtp_adminThink “bail reform” will clean up street disorder? We take a hard look at what Bill C‑14 really changes and why it targets the wrong problem. From the presumption of innocence to the right to remain silent, we trace how symbolic tweaks and reverse onus proposals collide with Charter protections while doing little to speed […]
When Indigenous Identity Emerges After Sentencing
/in Legal News /by mtp_adminA guilty plea, a forgotten past, and a courtroom test of how identity meets justice. We open with a 2011 assault case resolved by a joint submission: an 18‑month conditional sentence after the accused conceded his force exceeded self‑defence. Years later, he discovered his father was Indigenous and obtained status, then sought an out‑of‑time […]
From Picton’s Farm to the Coroner
/in Legal News /by mtp_adminA notorious criminal case and a sweeping policy change collide in one packed hour, and the throughline is unmistakable: how law balances dignity, proof, and practical consequences. We start by unpacking the latest development in the Robert Picton matter: with the RCMP ending their investigation and holding thousands of seized items—some believed to be […]
Sugar, Support, and Frankie
/in Legal News /by mtp_adminA seven‑month marriage sparked on a sugar‑arrangement site, a $12,000/month support bid, and a dog named Frankie—this one has layers. We open with a candid walk‑through of interim spousal support: what it’s for, how courts weigh “capacity to pay,” and why selling capital assets to fund an opulent lifestyle isn’t the same as earning […]
When Does Someone Become an Agent of the State?
/in Legal News /by mtp_adminWhere do your constitutional protections begin and end? The dividing line between private actions and state authority forms the heart of a fascinating BC Court of Appeal decision that clarifies when ordinary citizens become “agents of the police.” The case centers on Loomis Courier employees who, at police direction, set aside suspicious packages for […]
Self-Defense Rights in Your Home
/in Legal News /by mtp_adminWhat happens when the line between victim and perpetrator blurs in the eyes of the law? When a homeowner confronts a crossbow-wielding intruder or store employees stop a car theft, should they face criminal charges or civil lawsuits for defending themselves and their property? Barrister Michael Mulligan unpacks the controversial legal landscape of self-defense […]