Author: Alistair Vigier
When it comes to international extradition, the system is far from perfect. Lawyers across multiple countries call for major reforms, arguing that outdated treaties, political interference, and human rights concerns are making extradition cases more complicated—and sometimes, flat-out unfair if you’ve ever followed high-profile extradition battles (think Julian Assange, Meng Wanzhou, or even the case of British hacker Gary McKinnon), you know just how messy these international extradition fights can get. Legal experts are pushing for changes to make the process more transparent, consistent, and less prone to abuse. But what exactly needs fixing, and what reform is on the…
The Dangerous Offender designation in Canada is no joke. It’s meant for the worst of the worst—repeat violent criminals, serial predators, and people who show no signs of stopping. Once someone gets that label, they’re pretty much locked away indefinitely. But here’s the problem: courts are slapping this designation on cases where it doesn’t belong, like domestic disputes that escalated in the heat of the moment. That’s not what the Dangerous Offender classification was designed for, and misusing it like this does more harm than good. The Reality of a Dangerous Offender Label Let’s be real—domestic disputes can get ugly.…
A lawyer wrote about Canadian extradition. Dr. Gary Botting (a lawyer) has been building his reputation as a novelist. You can see his books on his website. Extradition is a complicated and often contentious legal process that involves the transfer of individuals from one country to another to face charges or serve a sentence. In Canada, the Extradition Act governs the extradition process, and it outlines the procedures to be followed when a foreign country seeks the extradition of a person from Canada or vice versa. The extradition process begins with a written request from a foreign country, which must…
If someone tells you that driving barefoot is illegal, they’re either misinformed or repeating an old myth. No laws in Canada or the U.S. explicitly prohibit driving without shoes. But just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s a wise choice. I’ve kicked off my shoes while driving plenty of times. I’ve done it on long road trips when my feet sore, after a beach day, or just for convenience. It feels freeing, but it comes with risks. Damp or sweaty feet can slip on the pedals, and braking hard without shoes might not apply enough pressure compared to proper footwear.…
A company called Clearway Law, led by Alistair Vigier, has gone live with the first lawyer community in Canada. While other websites like Lawyer Ratingz and Canada Law List have existed for many years, others offered little interaction between the public and lawyers. *December 2024 update: Alistair Vigier is no longer with Clearway. The Lawyer Ratingz website seems mainly used by clients and competitors to leave negative reviews for lawyers. This has left many Canadian lawyers nervous and sometimes angry about new online communities using lawyers’ pictures and information. At the same time, many law firms and marketing agencies often…
Ever noticed how cannabis shops seem to be everywhere now? It’s like the second legalization happened, storefronts popped up overnight. But if you’ve been paying attention, you’ve probably also seen some of those same stores shut down just as fast. So what’s the deal? Are these businesses actually following The Cannabis Act, or are they skating on thin legal ice? The Wild Early Days of Legalization (The Cannabis Act) When Canada legalized cannabis, a lot of people assumed it was a free-for-all. Entrepreneurs rushed to open dispensaries, but many didn’t realize just how strict the rules were—especially around how cannabis…
Toronto has long been one of the most diverse cities in the world. However, diversity alone doesn’t solve systemic issues or combat racism. Right now, two Black women—both long-time employees of the Ontario Public Service—are taking legal action. They are arguing that years of workplace racism derailed their careers and harmed their health. The $26 Million Lawsuit That’s Helping To Combat Racism Hentrose Nelson and Jean-Marie Dixon, both experienced professionals, have launched a $26 million lawsuit against the Ontario government, the Ministry of the Attorney General, and two unions. Their claims? They weren’t just ignored when they raised concerns about…
If you are looking for the ‘Twitter Sues Elon Musk’ court filing, you can read the unedited court document. We had a hard time finding it. It’s 62 pages long but very interesting, funny, and well worth the read. You will learn a lot about business and law from it, even if you are already a lawyer. This article will break down the key points in the court document, and focus on the screenshots that are included. If you enjoy the article, consider sharing it on social media or sending it to people. We want people to learn about court filings,…
If you’ve ever wanted to record conversations at work secretly, you’re not alone. Many employees start looking into this when dealing with toxic management, discrimination, or workplace disputes and need solid proof. But there are some serious legal and ethical concerns before you press record. Is It Legal to Record Conversations at Work? The short answer: it depends. Laws around recording conversations vary depending on where you live. In the U.S., the biggest distinction is between one-party consent and two-party consent states. If you’re outside the U.S., the rules are different. In Canada, for example, you can generally record conversations…
If you’ve ever had to update your government ID, you know the process is rarely simple. Now imagine trying to get your ID to reflect who you are—when the system won’t give you an option that fits. That’s precisely what’s at stake in a case before the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal as an Ontario resident would consider it a win if Government ID Reflects Gender. An “X” on Ontario IDs: Fighting For Government ID Reflects Gender An Ontario resident has taken legal action, arguing that government ID should reflect gender beyond the traditional “M” or “F.” They’re pushing for the…