[COVID-19] Duty to Accommodate: Best Practices for Employers
The following provides general guidance to employers and does not amount to legal advice. If you require further information on your legal options please contact us directly. Balancing rights in the face of a pandemic where significant public health concerns are at play can be tricky. However, employers should take care not to violate human... Read More
[COVID-19] Holograph Wills: Creating a Valid Will During Uncertain Times
With the rapid global spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, people from all walks of life are becoming increasingly concerned about having a valid Will in place, and rightfully so. Estate Planning and Social Media Social media is an ever-increasing, and important, part of most people’s daily lives, especially during times of crisis,... Read More
[COVID-19] Alberta Employment Termination: I got fired. Or Did I? Now What?
Some call it being “laid off”. Some say I was “terminated”, or the infamous, “I got fired from my job”. They all mean the same thing most of the time. Recently in Alberta due to the COVID-19 crisis, employers are increasingly turning to temporary layoffs rather than terminations in the hopes of being able to... Read More
[COVID-19] Employee Assistance from the Alberta Government
Where do I apply for emergency funding? Albertans who are self-isolating and unable to work can now apply online for emergency one-time funding from the province. How much am I eligible to receive? The application went live on Wednesday, March 25th on the province’s website. Eligible recipients will receive a one-time payment of $1,146 through... Read More
COVID-19 Notice
March 16, 2020 – For the foreseeable future, West Legal will remain open with a rotating, reduced complement of staff. We are requesting that all clients needing a consultation proceed with our lawyers via telephone or email rather than in-person. If you need to sign documents, we will reach out to you in advance to ensure your... Read More
Are You Being Harassed or Bullied at Work?
Bullying is often associated with kids, their issues at school or online cyberbullying. Unfortunately, bullying and harassment do not just affect minors. The statistics are showing more and more that adults in the workplace are being subjected to workplace bullying or harassment by co-workers and managers, which in turn has profound effects on not only... Read More
Bullying & Harassment: Another form of Domestic Violence?
February 26th was known as Pink Shirt Day, the day in which we wore pink shirts to raise awareness and combat bullying. Bullying is often discussed in the context of schools and social media, however, we should not forget that bullying can also be a major problem in familial relationships. It is widely understood that... Read More
Why you need a Cohabitation Agreement
Couples often put off getting a cohabitation agreement because of the costs involved, the emotional stress of bringing it up with their partner and the fear that it will signal a lack of commitment to the relationship. Thinking of moving in with your significant other? Moving in with your partner? Get a Cohabitation Agreement first.... Read More
Can I have more than one domicile?
While Foote Estate (Re) is no longer a recent decision, its implications on Alberta estate law are worth commenting on. At issue in Foote Estate was whether the deceased testator of a sizable estate was domiciled in Alberta, British Columbia or Norfolk Island. ‘Domiciled’ means being a lawful permanent resident in a particular jurisdiction. Domicile... Read More
The Rise of OPCA Litigation in Alberta Courts
Organized Pseudo-legal Commercial Arguments OPCA litigation is a fairly recent phenomenon associated with the rise of anti-society political ideologies and sovereign citizen movements such as “Freemen on the Land”, “Guardians of the Free Republics”, “Sovereign Citizens” and “Detaxers”. The term “OPCA” stands for Organized Pseudo-legal Commercial Arguments. The OPCA label was developed by Associate Chief... Read More