Litigation Law: A Canadian Guide

can lit law

The abbreviation lit. in legal contexts can stand for literature, letter inviting tender, Learning Improvement Team, or litera (Latin for letter or item).

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Criminal law

The fundamentals of a crime are a guilty act (actus reus) and a guilty mental state (mens rea). The traditional view is that moral culpability requires that a defendant should have recognised or intended that they were acting wrongly. However, in modern regulation, a large number of offences relating to road traffic, environmental damage, financial services and corporations create strict liability that can be proven simply by the guilty act. For example, in R v Miller, a squatter who flicked a lit cigarette that caused a fire was convicted of arson as he failed to take action to correct the dangerous situation he had created.

In some jurisdictions, "objective recklessness" qualifies as the requisite criminal intent, so that if someone ought to have recognised a risk and proceeded anyway, they may be held criminally liable. This is the case in the UK, where the doctrine of transferred malice means that if a man strikes another man with his belt, but the belt bounces off and hits a nearby woman, the man is guilty of battery toward her.

Duress can be a defence for all crimes except murder, attempted murder, being an accessory to murder, and treason involving the death of the sovereign. This is because ordinary people ought to be prepared to give up their lives to protect an innocent victim.

In many countries in Europe and North America, Good Samaritan laws exist, which criminalise the failure to help someone in distress. However, this does not apply in the UK, where it has been held that switching off the life support of someone in a persistent vegetative state is not a criminal act as it is not a voluntary act, not grossly negligent, and is in the patient's best interests.

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Civil law

Civil litigation involves legal proceedings between two or more parties seeking compensation or performance enforcement. It includes investigation, filing, response, discovery, pre-trial, trial or alternative resolution methods, and appeals. Civil litigators must be adept at navigating the specific stages of litigation and understanding the underlying dispute. The process can be document-heavy and writing-intensive, requiring strong research and writing skills.

Common types of civil litigation include landlord-tenant disputes, environmental law, product liability, intellectual property, construction, medical malpractice, employment law, real estate, and family law. Civil litigation professionals must possess a comprehensive understanding of the legal matter at hand and the intricacies of the dispute.

In civil cases, the burden of proof generally rests on the plaintiff to prove their entitlement to relief. This differs from criminal law, where the burden of proof often lies with the prosecution. The cost of civil litigation can be high, potentially impacting access to justice.

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Family law

The internal structure of family groups and their relationships with external parties can vary across societies. For example, the Roman paterfamilial group, the Chinese upper-class family, the Indian joint family, and the samurai family in Japan all exhibit unique complexities. The modern dominant family group typically consists of two spouses and their biological or adopted children.

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Environmental law

One of the earliest examples of environmental legislation was the Basic Law for Environmental Pollution Control enacted in Japan in 1967, marking the world's first comprehensive pollution-control policy. This was followed by the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1972 as the principal international environmental organization.

In the United States, the passage of landmark legislation such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in 1970, along with the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), signaled a significant shift in environmental governance. The EPA was formed to monitor and analyze the environment, conduct research, and collaborate with state and local governments to establish pollution control policies.

Federal laws in the U.S., such as the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA), aim to protect air resources and enhance water quality, respectively. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) addresses the proper disposal of solid and hazardous waste. Additionally, the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as the "Superfund," focuses on remediating already polluted areas.

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Commercial law

An important aspect of commercial law is the regulation of the assignability or negotiability of rights obtained under certain instruments. This determines when the transferee can obtain better rights to payment than the original holder. Similar principles of negotiability apply to "documents of title," which are recognized documents indicating that the holder is entitled to the delivery of goods.

Given the complexity of commercial law, seeking legal counsel from experienced lawyers is often essential. These professionals can provide tailored advice, draft contracts, and ensure legal compliance. It is crucial to conduct due diligence before entering into any business transaction to understand the legal implications, potential risks, and regulatory requirements. Staying informed about changes in laws and regulations is also imperative for effective compliance.

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