Insights and Updates from Clark Woods LLP
Welcome to the Clark Woods LLP Blog, your resource for expert commentary on legal developments, practical advice, and updates on our firm’s activities. Whether you’re seeking information on recent legal trends or looking for guidance on specific legal matters, our blog is here to keep you informed and engaged.
B.C. short-term rental ban challenged in court
Airbnb owners take province, City of Victoria to court over B.C. short-term rental ban A group of disgruntled short-term-rental owners in Victoria upset about recent changes restricting Airbnbs announced this month that it is taking the province and the City of...
Child and spousal support obligations under the microscope
Understanding the Recent B.C. Supreme Court Decision on Child and Spousal Support Obligations A recent B.C. Supreme Court ruling clarifying when child and spousal support obligations should end could have repercussions on divorce settlements across the province. In...
Confusing home flipping tax could trap homeowners and lead to legal battles
A proposed B.C. home flipping tax could help increase available housing and discourage short-term property holding for profit, but a lack of clarity about who is eligible and who is exempt could be a recipe for disaster. Vancouver real estate lawyer Keith Barron says...
ICBC Loses Appeal in $1.5 Million Judgment Case
ICBC's appeal against a $1.5 million judgment awarded to Clark Woods LLP client Neil MacKinnon has been dismissed by the B.C. Appeal Court. The judgment, stemming from a 2018 accident, was based on substantial evidence presented by MacKinnon, including testimony...
New Listings Surge in Metro Vancouver
A significant number of new listings are hitting the Metro Vancouver property market, according to the latest data from the Greater Vancouver Realtors (formerly the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver). Andrew Lis, the director of economics and data analytics with...
B.C. lawyer accused of citing fake legal cases “hallucinated” by AI filed to B.C. Supreme Court
A B.C. lawyer is accused of using artificial intelligence (AI) to prepare legal briefs in a civil case before the B.C. Supreme Court, citing fake case law fabricated by ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot developed by U.S. AI firm OpenAI. Lawyer Chong Ke with...
New B.C. law changes rules for how pet custody is decided in divorces
Amendments to the B.C. Family Law Act are changing the way separating couples handle pet custody disputes. Previously, pets were legally considered property and custody of pets was settled as part of the division of property. However, recent updates to the...
As condo prices fall and interest rates remain high, consider the risks when purchasing
Folks considering buying a condo presale or preconstructed homes should consider the risks and ensure they have financing in place and are aware of changing interest rates before signing on the dotted line. Buying presale refers to putting down a deposit and signing...
Signs of housing market stability: B.C. Lower Mainland property assessments increase by 2% in 2024, with Vancouver single family homes rising by 4%
In a sign that the Lower Mainland real estate market seems to settling into a period of relative stability, recent 2024 property assessments released by BC Assessment this month show little change over 2023. Property owners in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland rung in...