When Nine-Year-Old Charleigh's Life Hangs on a Ministerial Decision
What happens when a child's life depends on a medication that costs nearly a million dollars per year? In this eye-opening conversation with Michael Mulligan of Mulligan Defence Lawyers, we take a deep dive into the tragic case of nine-year-old Charleigh Pollock from Langford, who suffers from the rare genetic disorder Batten disease. Mulligan walks us through the complex web of legislation governing medication coverage in British Columbia, revealing the stark truth about how these life-or-d...
27 Juni 21min
Bible, Chicken, or Dog? The Bizarre World of Courtroom Oaths
The legal landscape in Canada continues to evolve with significant implications for sexual assault cases, courtroom procedures, and sentencing guidelines. A groundbreaking Supreme Court of Canada decision has overturned a British Columbia sexual assault conviction in a case where prosecutors introduced evidence about the complainant's sexual inexperience without proper screening. The Court established that "sexual inactivity evidence" – including statements about virginity or lack of sexual ...
20 Juni 22min
Supreme Court of Canada Orders Acquittal: A Miscarriage of Justice
What happens when crucial evidence is withheld from the defence in a murder case? The devastating consequences unfolded in a tragic BC case where a woman's life was completely shattered after being wrongfully convicted in connection with a toddler's drowning death. The Supreme Court of Canada recently ordered an acquittal for a woman who served a year in prison after pleading guilty to criminal negligence causing death. She made this plea without knowing that Crown prosecutors had withheld 1...
12 Juni 22min
Legal Fixtures and Your Home Purchase
Navigating the legal maze of property transactions and civil judgments requires understanding nuances that aren't always obvious. Michael Mulligan, barrister and solicitor with Mulligan Defence Lawyers, unpacks two fascinating cases that illuminate these complexities. First, Mulligan explores a cautionary tale about what constitutes a "fixture" in home purchases. When buyers discovered a beloved dresser missing after taking possession—revealing holes in the wall behind it—they sued for $7,43...
6 Juni 21min
When Dogs Bite and Gas Stations Annoy: Legal Insights with Michael Mulligan
Ever wondered if your dog could land you in legal hot water? Or what happens when your neighbour's business becomes an unbearable nuisance? Legal expert Michael Mulligan returns to Legally Speaking with three captivating cases that reveal the fascinating intersection of everyday life and Canadian law. The spotlight first falls on Juliet, a miniature Australian shepherd whose elevator encounter led to a $4,800 claim after she allegedly bit a woman's hand. Mulligan unpacks the surprising legal...
29 Maj 22min
Through the Legal Looking Glass: BC Court Cases That Matter
The BC Court of Appeal has delivered a significant ruling that serves as a stark warning to property sellers: crossing out questions on disclosure forms doesn't eliminate your responsibility to be truthful. When a seller drew lines through all disclosure questions, writing only that the property was tenant-occupied and he'd never lived there, he created a legal nightmare for himself. After discovering an unpermitted addition, the buyer backed out – but the seller kept the $300,000 deposit and...
23 Maj 21min
The Legal Case of Ferb: A Dangerous Dog on Trial
What does it take to sentence a dog to death? Far less than you might think. In our latest deep dive into fascinating legal territory, we explore a heartbreaking case from Kamloops where a pit bull named Ferb faced the ultimate penalty under BC's dangerous dog laws. The story weaves through a tragic background - Ferb, stabbed five times as a puppy before being rescued, later found himself implicated in the killing of a neighbour's collie. What makes this case particularly compelling is...
16 Maj 21min
Vicarious Liability for Sexual Abuse and Sick Notes for Traffic Court
The complex legal landscape of vicarious liability takes center stage in this illuminating discussion with Lawyer Michael Mulligan. At the heart of our conversation is a heartbreaking Victoria case where a retired teacher-turned-tutor sexually abused a grade six student, resulting in a $2.3 million judgment. We dissect the Court of Appeal's reasoning on why, despite creating the initial relationship, the school board wasn't held vicariously liable for the teacher's actions that occurred after...
8 Maj 21min
