Publications

McKercher LLP, Saskatchewan, March 25, 2020 – The novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) was first reported in Wuhan, China, on December 31, 2019, and has been rapidly spreading since. Now the outbreak has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (W.H.O). The extent to which specific events relating to COVID-19 trigger a particular force majeure clause is a matter of contractual interpretation,...

Fillmore Riley LLP, Manitoba, March 25, 2020 – With the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) at the forefront of the news cycle, governments and businesses are working to minimize the pandemic’s effect on the world’s economy, both at the macro and micro level. Despite those efforts, businesses are sure to face significant and unexpected changes in their day-to-day operations, which will likely...

Blaney McMurtry LLP, Ontario, March 25, 2020 – On March 16, 2020, the Ontario government made the unprecedented decision to largely close the court system in Ontario in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 20, 2020, the Ontario government made a second unprecedented decision to suspend all limitation periods in Ontario retroactive to March 16, 2020. Likewise, the timelines for any steps...

Cox & Palmer, Nova Scotia, March 25, 2020 – As both provincial and federal governments across Canada continue to impose restrictions on business and travel in an attempt to curtail the spread of COVID-19, parties to contracts, especially service or sale of goods contracts, may find it increasingly more challenging to complete their contractual obligations. In this context, it may be useful to review...