Latest news with #legaladvice
CBC
15 hours ago
- Health
- CBC
How northern legal clinics are supporting victims of sexual harassment in the workplace
Community legal clinics across northern Ontario are working together to address sexual harassment in the workplace by providing free legal advice and support to victims, one of the organizers said. Scott Florence, sexual harassment and workplace worker with the Sudbury Community Legal Clinic, said the initiative is a relaunch of a program that started in 2020. Four of the legal clinics in the north — Algoma Community Legal Clinic in Sault Ste. Marie, Keewaytinok Native Legal Services in Moosonee, Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic in Thunder Bay, Sudbury Community Legal Clinic — are part of this project, providing free public legal education to people, organizations and institutions. Under the project, Florence said people can either call a toll free number or just knock on the door of their local community legal clinic, who will then advise them how to proceed. "We know that across northern Ontario, we have a lot of smaller communities, more isolated communities, and getting legal services is not always easy and obtainable," Florence told CBC Sudbury on Tuesday. "So, this project really wants to ensure that everybody across the north knows that they have options, that they have rights and that they've got some place to go to find out more." The initiative is part of a province-wide two-year project, which is funded by the Department of Justice of Canada. Florence said there is no income minimum to get the free legal advice that will happen through the toll free number. Nearly one in two women and one in three men report experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace in their lifetime, according to Stats Canada reporting from 2024. "This can be a hard topic to discuss," Florence said. "People can feel shame, they can be uncertain about where to go or what to do. This project gives people the free legal advice, education and support that they need to help them understand how to deal with sexual harassment if they have experienced it; or, how to be an ally, or, how to make change in the workplace as an employer." 'It's a social issue' Meanwhile, Algoma Legal Clinic paralegal Jill Hewgill says she hopes this initiative will encourage people to seek free legal advice and support. "Sexual Harassment in the workplace isn't just a legal issue, it's a social issue," Hewgill said. "By involving all the community legal clinics in the north, we're hoping to bring more people forward to seek legal advice, and to provide them with information and guidance as well as resources to support them." People experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace can call 1-833-677-5146 for free legal advice, or visit or contact their nearest community legal clinic to be referred to speak to someone directly.
CBC
a day ago
- Health
- CBC
Free legal advice for tenants available at summer clinics across N.B.
Social Sharing As director of the University of New Brunswick's legal clinic, Jeannette Savoie says some of the most common legal questions she's asked are about how the province's rent cap works. Among the questions: Is the cap mandatory? What if a landlord raises rent more than three per cent? "A lot of time, when we answer questions for people, it's like, 'Huh, I didn't know I could do that.'" Savoie said she has seen even the most experienced renters taken advantage of by landlords, or paying unnecessary fees because of a lack of understanding of how rental laws work. For instance, she said, many people don't know there are costly consequences for improperly notifying a landlord of a lease termination. "I've seen people leave their tenancy without giving notice and then end up getting charged a fee or three months rent." She said a lack of knowledge about legal evictions is also common. "Tenants will come to us and ask questions, 'My landlord slid a note under the door saying I am evicted a certain day. Is that legal?' Well, no, it isn't." It's why she and several UNB law students have partnered with Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick on a tour of the province, answering questions about issues such as evictions, unit repairs, having pets in apartments and other common concerns. "It makes a huge difference," said Amber Chisholm, associate director of the legal education service said. "Being well-informed in a situation of crisis or stress can really help somebody make strategic decisions about their situation and also make decisions that are actually going to be effective for them." The clinics offer free, 30-minute sessions with a law student, who provides summary legal advice, and are supervised by a practising lawyer. The clinics are now underway in northern areas of the province and are scheduled to make stops in the south, ending in Saint John on July 21. Chisholm said the clinics can enable tenants to get legal advice early on during a tenancy to help them gain negotiating power with landlords and to avoid conflict before it escalates further. "Especially with tenants, there is often a sense of a power imbalance or a sense of urgency involved with kinds of legal problems that are affecting somebody's housing." Bridging a gap in rural areas with little pro-bono services Savoie said the clinics were strategically scheduled in areas where New Brunswickers can't easily access free legal help. "If I look at New Brunswick, the northeast probably has the least access to the services that you could find in Fredericton, Moncton and Saint John … just because of the rurality of everything," she said. Most of the pop-up clinics are located in areas that are open to the public, such as community centres and libraries. Nichola Taylor, chair of ACORN's New Brunswick chapter, said legal clinics like these are also crucial for renters with low to moderate income who might not be able to afford someone who can advocate on their behalf during a legal crisis. "There's no one there really to help them," Taylor said. "I'm sure often they feel like they're forgotten." Taylor said newcomers and other first-time renters should inform themselves about tenants regulations that are specific to the province -- but that can be difficult. "If you're a newcomer who may have a language barrier, for example, that's even harder to do," she said. While Chisholm said the clinics don't have official translators on site, they do offer services in English and French. She recommends people who might need assistance in another language bring someone who can help facilitate the conversation between them and the law student. To Savoie, helping tenants become empowered through these clinics is rewarding for her students. "They're there because they want to make a difference, and I think it all comes down to that." The next sessions are happening on Tuesday in Shippagan, and will travel through Tracadie, Campbellton, Bathurst, Miramichi, Edmundston, Woodstock and end at Saint John on July 21. A full schedule of the clinics is available here. As for the two commonly asked questions Chisholm referred to, she said landlords are obligated to comply with the cap in place in New Brunswick that makes it illegal to raise rent prices higher than three per cent per year. Tenants can file a request for assistance with the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office within 60 days of receiving a notice of a rent increase that does not comply with the rent cap, she said. Landlords can defend themselves before the office to justify the need for a greater increase.
CNA
2 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Money Talks Podcast: Protecting yourself from property disputes
Property disputes – especially among family members can lead to painful and costly legal battles. What can be done to avoid these conflicts before they escalate? Andrea Heng sits down with Lim Fung Peen, director and head of family and private wealth practice group at Yuen Law LLC. Here is an excerpt from the conversation: Andrea Heng, host: Let's go into the technical aspects of a property dispute. How are they first raised? What are the key steps you would take once that case lands on your desk? Lim Fung Peen, from Yuen Law LLC: So typically how things go in Singapore, mostly people will make inquiries at the law firm. They will write in an email and then say: 'This is the problem.' … So whatever the inquiry is, the proper thing to do is have a meetup and have a discussion, and discuss with the client their objectives. And also, what I would do is propose certain options. One of the first options is not to go to court … (but) … to advise the client of their rights. Because some people come with misconceptions of what they're entitled to. So some people need a reality check. So the first step is always to get advice and (an) assessment, and then your legal adviser can just tell you: 'This is the score. This is where you stand.' … So the first thing (would be) assessment, given the kind of options, one of the options could be to strengthen their case, gather more evidence. But finally, you reach a stage where again it's not go to court. It's to write a letter to the other side and … make a proposal. Say: 'Look, this is the situation. This is my stand. I think this is a fair proposal. I pay you this, or you pay me this, and we do this.' Andrea: So it's essentially mediation, up to a degree. So at what point then, does it end up in court? Fung Peen: It's not quite mediation. What we call it is negotiation. So you write a proposal letter and wait for the other side to respond. Most lawyers will actually go through this process of negotiation by letter. At least one round, two rounds. When that doesn't work and then we have to see. You mentioned mediation. In Family Justice Court and in the State Courts, there are court mediations which are free, which is very good. That means the court doesn't charge for it, but that's because I think our courts really believe in mediation. And since I've been in practice for 28 years, there's always been this, and it's been going from strength to strength. So I'm a firm believer in mediation because I think mediation is also a way for the mediator to give parties a reality check, because everyone thinks their case is bound to win.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Garden privacy fence mistake could land you a £20,000 fine – check the latest rules
THINKING of putting up a new garden fence this summer? You might want to check the rules first or you could land yourself a hefty fine and even end up in court. 1 UK boundary rules mean your humble garden fence could turn into a legal nightmare if you get it wrong. Whether you're upgrading panels or building from scratch, the regulations are clear and local councils aren't afraid to crack down. New rules which came in last week under the The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 outline what homeowners can build without needing full planning permission. Here's what the law has to say about fences. Back garden fence For a back garden fence, you're allowed a fence up to two metres high (that's about six foot six) without needing planning permission. Go any higher, even with a decorative trellis, and you'll need to get approval first. Skip this step and you could be forced to tear it down, or even worse – face enforcement action. Front fence At the front of your property, things get stricter. Fences can't go above one metre if you live next to a footpath, road or public space. That's just over three feet tall. It's designed to help visibility for drivers and pedestrians but plenty of homeowners are caught out. Privacy Fences vs Trees: Smart Solutions for Your Garden Breaching planning rules can lead to an enforcement notice and, in some cases, fines. If your fence causes a statutory nuisance, such as flooding or blocked drains, you could face penalties of up to £5,000 or £20,000 for a business under environmental regulations. Ignore it, and things can escalate to court. Neighbour disputes are the most common property complaint in the UK and they often boil down to where the boundary actually is. Before building, measure up carefully and chat things through with your neighbour. Snapping a few photos and getting a handshake agreement could save you a legal headache down the line. Replacing a fence When it comes to replacing a fence, there's a rough rule: the left-hand side of your garden (as seen from the street) is usually your responsibility. If the 'rough' side of the fence faces you, chances are it's yours to maintain. But the only way to be certain is by checking your title deeds. If there's a letter 'T' on the boundary line, it's down to you. An 'H' means it's a shared fence, so both parties are responsible. If things still aren't clear, you and your neighbour can draw up a boundary agreement to make it official. It should include your names, addresses, and a clear description of the agreed boundary. You can even sketch it on a map. To get it formally recorded, you'll need to apply to HM Land Registry and pay a £40 fee. And don't assume the new national rules overrule everything. If you live on an estate with open-plan front gardens or in a conservation area, your property might be subject to extra rules about fence types, colours, or height limits. So be sure to ask permission before going ahead with any fence plans. You can find more information on privacy fence boundaries on the webpage. Meanwhile, to avoid disputes when decorating your fence. Elsewhere, fence professionals have explained the rules you need to know to avoid falling into neighbourly disputes. What are your rights over a fence row? IT'S very important to know your rights if you are embroiled in a fence row with a neighbour. How do I know which side I own? A boundary feature can be a fence, wall, hedge, ditch, piece of wire, or sometimes even just the edge of a driveway. The only way to know for certain who owns what side and to avoid any neighbour disputes, is to refer to the title plan or Land Registry. In this, the T mark is used to indicate who the boundary belongs to and therefore who is responsible for its upkeep, say pros at Jacksons Fencing. Larger developments tend to have some indication provided by the builder, but there are no hard and fast rules People often think they are responsible for the left (or right) hand boundary wherever they live, but there isn't any legal basis for this. You can check with HM Land Registry to see which boundary feature you are responsible for. Often households can't get hold of the paperwork but experts say they shouldn't panic. Homeowners can guess who owns the fence by checking where the rails are. Pros say: "The fence is typically facing away from their property so that their neighbour gets the 'good' side. 'This is the most secure way of facing fencing so there are no rails for anyone to use to climb into your garden. 'This is then repeated with the neighbour on the other side to ensure that each home has both a 'good' and 'bad' fence side.' Walls and fences are often built on the land of the boundary's owner with the edge of the wall marking the limit. While professionals agree a glimpse at the fence can give you a hint, it's not foolproof - so you can't be certain. Fines and punishment It is recommended to always check legal documents before making changes to avoid hefty fines. There is no law that the neighbour has to get the good side of the fence, so it's completely up to whoever owns the fence. Fencing pros have suggested: 'It may be worth selecting a double-sided panel with no 'bad' side as both sides look the same and rails are concealed within the fence panel.' If one boundary backs onto a road or footpath you can install the panels with the rails on the inside But if it's installed on the outside, it can provide an 'easy ladder for burglars to enter your garden'. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Property Litigation Association have created a mediation service to help neighbours resolve disputes over their property boundaries without resorting to court action. RICS also provides a list of surveyors who could assist in boundary disputes. If a dispute continues, it is ultimately a court that makes decisions, but they do not like such disputes being put before them. Changing a boundary If you want to change an existing boundary, such as replacing an old fence with a new one, we always recommend discussing with your neighbour first and making sure it is all agreed. The registered titles can help you to reach an agreement, but only if this information has been added. In terms of decorations on a fence legal advisers recommended asking around over who actually first installed it. But they also urged caution before getting to work on amending the fence without getting more certainty yourself - since there is a danger of actually being prosecuted for criminal damage. How high can a garden fence be? The height of the fence is measured from your ground level, this can have an impact when, due to slopes in the ground, your garden may be at a higher level than your neighbours '. A garden fence can be as high as 100m but you need to get planning permission if it's over than 2m. However, there are some complications to this. If you are thinking about front garden fences, restrictions state that fences alongside a driveway can be a maximum of 1m or 3ft. You would need to get planning permission for putting a trellis on a fence of 2m. But, if any plant that you grow on that trellis exceeds 2m, you do not need to obtain a permit for the growing plant.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
They 'Just Found Out Yesterday' About Winning A '$1.5M Judgment 28 Years Ago.' Now They're Asking: What Do I Even Do With This?
One poster recently surprised Reddit's r/legaladvice community after discovering that their father had been awarded a $1.5 million court judgment nearly three decades ago—and never knew about it. The post, titled 'Won $1.5M judgement 28 years ago and just found out yesterday,' got a lot of attention after the person explained how they came across the information by accident. "Yesterday, while searching the Bronx County court records for my father in a separate matter, we found record of a workers' comp case filed on his behalf in '97," the person wrote. Don't Miss: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — According to the post, the poster's father lost three fingers in a factory accident in 1996. The family had recently immigrated to the U.S. at the time, and he spoke no English. "The issue is my father had no idea that this lawsuit was even filed," the poster wrote. Though he sat for a deposition, he was allegedly told by the company that nothing would come of the case. The family then moved, changed phone numbers, and assumed that was the end of it. They later added, 'It feels to me like things weren't handled correctly and I want to make sure he is compensated appropriately as our lives could have been much different had he received this money.' Trending: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: . Expired Judgment? Most commenters were quick to point out that New York judgments typically expire after 20 years unless they are renewed. "In New York, a judgment is deemed unenforceable after 20 years. If nothing was done to renew the judgment, it's dead now," wrote one commenter, who identified themselves as a lawyer. However, several people noted that exceptions exist in cases involving fraud or malpractice. 'Sometimes the law allows for an extension of deadlines where there's fraud or another good reason,' one person pointed out. Another added, 'If the lawyer collected on the judgment, then a claim could exist against the lawyer for your father's share.' But, as someone said, 'I'd be afraid someone filed and collected on his behalf without ever telling him, maybe even someone at the company.'Redditors with legal experience weighed in with suggestions on what steps to take. First on the list: track down the original attorney or firm. Even if they have since left the industry, they may still have records or owe a duty to account for any funds. "Contacting the attorney would be a very helpful start," wrote one poster familiar with bar association procedures. "There's a decent chance they still have a hard copy of the files in a box somewhere." Another crucial step? Search the New York State Comptroller's unclaimed funds database. Multiple commenters said they had found forgotten funds owed to them through the site. One even commented, "I just made my rent this month" after finding a claim in their name. And if it turns out the money was never paid? The family may have a legal malpractice case if the attorney failed to inform them of the judgment or disbursed funds improperly. A few commenters speculated that the case might have involved subrogation, where the workers' compensation insurer sues a third party – like the machine manufacturer – on the injured worker's behalf. In that case, most or all of the money could have gone to reimburse the insurer. Still, the original poster is determined to pursue answers: "We'll be contacting the original lawyer and a few other avenues mentioned here," they wrote. Read Next:'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article They 'Just Found Out Yesterday' About Winning A '$1.5M Judgment 28 Years Ago.' Now They're Asking: What Do I Even Do With This? originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
