There is a complicated list of reasons why it can be difficult to travel to the US. The US Customs and Border Protection website discusses some of them, such as the effect of having a criminal record, but it can be confusing. The Canadian Border Security Agency and the US Customs and Immigration Services can […]

A coat-of-arms hangs on the wall behind the judge’s chair in BC’s courtrooms. Going back to colonial times, it symbolizes the sovereign’s authority in the courtroom. Featuring two slogans: “Dieu et Mon Droit”; and “Honi Soit Qui Mal y Pense”, it is not the official coat of arms of the British monarch but rather a […]

There must be evidence to support an ‘honest belief’ that the complainant consented: R v Pappajohn (1980).

An defendant cannot be willfully blind about consent: R v Sansegret (1985).

Consent must be freely given, and ‘implied consent’ is not a defence in sexual assault cases: R v Ewanchuk (1999).

A sexual assault is not just about specific acts […]

Please click here for the October issue of BC Take Five, summarizing what we have selected as the five most interesting cases from the British Columbia Court of Appeal in September.

OnPoint’s New Cousin, Lucent:

While OnPoint continues to provide superior legal research and writing services, Lucent assists law firms, companies, and other organizations by recruiting experienced […]

Criminal Law – Search & Seizure – Social Media

Charged with sexual interference, sex assault and Internet ‘ the defendant first contacted the 13-year old complainant over using a social networking site on the Internet before meeting in person and subsequently had sex, after which the complainant didn’t want any further contact but communicated with the […]

Please click here for the September issue of BC Take Five, summarizing what we have selected as the five most interesting cases from the British Columbia Court of Appeal in August.

OnPoint’s New Cousin, Lucent:

While OnPoint continues to provide superior legal research and writing services, Lucent assists law firms, companies, and other organizations by recruiting […]

There is often confusion about whether and when a person is entitled to a bail review. The short answer is that, although a person who has been remanded in custody may be entitled to a bail review, the justice (ie: Provincial Court Judge or JP) who denied bail has to have made an obvious error, […]

Please click here for the August issue of BC Take Five, summarizing what they have selected as the five most interesting cases from the British Columbia Court of Appeal in July.

OnPoint’s New Cousin, Lucent:

While OnPoint continues to provide superior legal research and writing services, Lucent assists law firms, companies, and other organizations by recruiting […]

R v. Safarzadeh-Markhali The Supreme Court of Canada recently ruled the Criminal Code provision regarding pre-sentence or remand custody is unfair, in R v. Safarzadeh-Markhalit, 2016 SCC 14. The law that offenders from getting ‘enhanced credit’ is no longer valid. The Criminal Code provisions stem from the Truth in Sentencing Act which was designed […]

Please click here for the July issue of BC Take Five, summarizing what they have selected as the five most interesting cases from the British Columbia Court of Appeal in June.

OnPoint’s New Cousin, Lucent:

We are thrilled to introduce Lucent Legal Recruitment, Sarah Picciotto’s new venture.

While OnPoint continues to provide superior legal research and writing […]