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.
New Listings Surge in Metro Vancouver Market
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...
AI Briefs Lead to Legal Concerns in BC Courts
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 BC Rules Redefine Pet Custody in Separation
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...
How High Interest Rates Impact Condo Buyers
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...
Metro Vancouver & Lower Mainland Property Assessment
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...
Fraudulent Property Sale Results in Over $300k in Fines
A group of real estate professionals have been hit with more than $300,000 in fines stemming from a fraudulent property sale in Richmond in 2019. According to the B.C. Financial Services Authority (BCFSA), two alleged con artists tricked the realtor, managing broker,...
Canadian Mortgage Charter Helps Homeowners
Ottawa says the move will empower homeowners in face of higher mortgage renewals The federal government unveiled the Canadian Mortgage Charter last month, in an effort to make it easier for homeowners worried about higher mortgage renewals to shop around for...
Stalemate Unbroken: Court Decision Deepens Standoff in Greenleaf Brewing vs. Lonsdale Quay Market Lease Dispute
A commercial lease dispute between a shuttered North Vancouver brewery Greenleaf Brewing and its former landlord is no closer to a resolution following a court decision last month. The owners of Greenleaf Brewing have filed a claim against Lonsdale Quay Market...
Using Secret Recordings in Family Law Cases Explained
Surreptitious recordings in family law may be legal, but are not always admissible Surreptitiously recording a spouse, partner, or children during a family dispute may be legal in Canada, but it is not always admissible in court. Last month, the B.C. Supreme Court...