Personal injury law is a competitive profession full of bravado and showmanship.
It’s the nature of the business. What isn’t always an obvious part of the business is the sharing of information: Lawyers are, by nature, adversarial. Thankfully, the internet and blogging have made the sharing of information easier and, I should say, a lot more interesting.
While I practice a very specific area of the law—personal injury—I’m always interested in what is going on in other branches of this profession. To that end, I follow a site called Lawblogs.ca, where I can get links to the latest posts and newest blogs reflecting all branches of this business, from coast to coast.
There are a couple of blogs that are particularly interesting because they are informational for me as a lawyer and as a person. They’re not about showing off, but rather about apprising colleagues and the public at large about what’s new in their respective areas of law.
Let me share them with you:
1. Start Fresh – A Practical Family Law Blog —
Family law is a tough area to practice, but with the divorce rate in Canada flirting with the 50% mark, it’s a busy one. I’m sure that most of us can say we know more than one couple who have struggled with the idea of prenuptial agreements or, at the other end of the spectrum, separation and divorce.
This blog, though relatively young, provides solid information on topics like: ‘Mediation – The 5 W’s’, ‘How to Prepare for Mediation’, ‘Child Support in Canada’ and the like.
People are often afraid to engage legal counsel, for fear of the costs involved, but this blog sets out some of the issues that are on the minds of families and how to deal with them. For more of a legal / case law perspective on family law, I also enjoy this one from the Feldstein Family Law Group.
2. Under The Limit: Development In Canadian Limitations Jurisprudence —
This blog, while of lesser interest to a layperson, is very useful to lawyers specifically.
It’s whole premise is to provide up to date information on developments in Canadian limitations jurisprudence.
In English, that means that blog owner Dan Zacks is keeping a running record of all appellate decisions that can impact civil litigation from common law provinces (Alberta, BC, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Ontario).
For Example, on November 7, 2016, the site reported a recent appellate decision defending the two year limitation on appealing the termination of income replacement benefits, following a motor vehicle accident. It’s this kind of information, that is timely and relevant to lawyers and strengthen our profession.
This next blog is less about the law and more about the issues surrounding family law and fertility. It shares information that is interesting to anyone who has ever been involved in the world of fertility, whether as a family seeking help or a surrogate / sperm or ova donator.
Their latest post, ‘Kinder Tinder’ shares with readers the latest app (available in Britain) for women to choose a sperm donor so that they can undergo artificial insemination. It’s literally Tinder for sperm, which sounds odd, but it’s perfectly legal and a fascinating twist on the use of new technology to deal with a sensitive and very private issue.
Whether a lawyer or a layperson with an interest in law, there are blogs out there that can provide you with a wealth of information. Of course, at the end of the day, if you need legal advice, it’s best to consult with a lawyer directly. These blogs are useful for fueling questions or answering some, but they aren’t legal advice. If you have any questions about a personal injury issue, feel free to contact my office.
