There are various reasons for contacting a lawyer, and Considine & Company specializes in a diverse range of legal practice areas. The following is a brief description of areas in which Chris holds legal expertise.
If you have suffered harm to your body, including both physical and psychological injuries, you can sue to receive proper compensation. Injury caused by a motor vehicle accident is the most common form of personal injury law in BC. Other examples of personal injury include harm resulting from clinical negligence, workplace safety infractions, negligent maintenance of pedestrian walkways or an injury resulting from a defective product. To be awarded damages for your personal injury, liability and damages must be proven.
Lawyers who practice criminal law defend you if you have been charged with a crime. Canadian law works under the principle that you are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. A lawyer can be vital in ensuring you receive fair treatment by police and the courts.
In order for you to be found guilty of a crime, the Crown prosecutor must prove their case is beyond reasonable doubt. On the other hand your lawyers, in challenging a Crown’s case, need to raise reasonable doubt at trial to demonstrate the need for a finding of not guilty.
Employment in British Columbia is regulated by the BC Employment Standards Act. Each province has its own employment legislation. Employment law encompasses both union and non-union settings in both the public and private sector.
If you have been let go or demoted and there was inadequate notice or severance pay, you can sue for wrongful dismissal. The reverse is also possible where in, if an employee resigns without giving the employer adequate notice, the employer can sue for wrongful resignation. Moreover, BC’s Employment Standards Act safeguards from hiring discrimination, workplace harassment or abuse, health and safety violations, employment or retirement benefits issues and forced retirement.
Other employment issues can stem from corporate mergers, confidentiality agreements, non-competition agreements, non-solicitation agreements, union avoidance strategies, bargaining unit organization and certification.
If a medical practitioner does not provide you with a standard of care that a reasonable or prudent medical practitioner would provide in similar circumstances you can sue for malpractice. A bad result does not always mean there has been malpractice however; recourse through legal action is available if you or your loved one have suffered through the negligence or incompetence of a doctor.
When you cannot resolve a dispute you may want to sue in court to achieve a resolution, for example, when someone owes you money. These types of disputes are often settled without involving the courts or before the trials conclude. Civil litigation refers to a wide variety of legal proceedings which ultimately involve payment for financial loss.
In the workplace, you are entitled to equal opportunity to employment and the right to work free of discrimination and harassment. These rights are protected under the British Columbia Human Rights Code and, for those Canadians working for federally regulated employers, by the Canadian Human Rights Code. If your workplace rights have been violated a lawyer can assist you in holding the employer accountable.
Corporate and Commercial Litigation
Commercial or business litigation pertains to matters facing businesses. For example: shareholder disputes, partnership disputes, winding up of companies and liquidations under the Company Act, non-competition agreement disputes, intellectual property disputes, disputes pertaining to securities, real estate, construction, and commercial leasing.
Estate Litigation involves the careful application of complex law to disputes involving Wills and estates of deceased persons. The competency of the deceased person, and the division of the estate are often in issue. Strict time lines for challenging a Will are in force in British Columbia. A thoughtful approach to resolution is important due to the emotions and financial issues involved.
Administrative law centres on procedures created by governments. Governmental action regularly affects the interests of individuals and businesses through legislation, regulation and policy. A lawyer can assist you in developing legal strategies for complying with complex regulatory requirements and provide advice on the legal and public policy implications of changes in legislation and other government initiatives.
