Welcome to JSS Barristers Insights. Here you’ll find a variety of thought-leadership, from concise summaries of regulations to more in-depth analyses of how Rules of Court can affect the courts’ decisions.

Can the City Sue me for Negligence or Nuisance?

By Ava Wolf|April 3, 2025

The jurisprudence on municipal law is well flushed out when it comes to a city’s obligations to its patrons, but when we flip this around to consider a citizen’s obligation to the city (or more broadly, the community as a whole), the law is much more nuanced. The applicable remedy for a municipality vexed by a citizen remains in enforcement of its statues and bylaws, but not in tort.

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I Have Been Sued for Defamation. Now What?

By Andrea MacLean|October 25, 2024

Defamation is a complex area of law. Andrea MacLean explains key steps for those sued for defamation, including why it’s crucial to retain experienced legal counsel. She outlines common defences such as truth, qualified privilege, fair comment, and absolute privilege, emphasizing that each defence has specific requirements and may be impacted by evidence of malice.

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Release the Goods: Court Finds Liquor Agent Acted in Bad Faith by Withholding Inventory From Supplier After Termination

By David J. Marshall & Ryan Phillips & Emily Amirkhani|September 26, 2024

The Alberta Court of King’s Bench issued judgment against a liquor agent for breach of the duty of good faith contractual performance, relating to obligations arising out of an unwritten contract upon termination of its engagement with a liquor supplier. This decision will have important impacts on the liquor distribution industry in Alberta and British Columbia.

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