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Heath Law LLP Lawyers

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Nanaimo, BC
Heath Law LLP Lawyers

We provide exceptional, cost-effective service to our clients. Heath Law LLP is a full-service law firm that was founded in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island in 1950.

The 22 lawyers at Heath Law LLP in Nanaimo, BC, engage in the following Practice Groups: Commercial; Corporate; Real Estate; Financial Services; Family Law; Wills/Estates; Litigation. Although we have clients all over British Columbia our firm primarily services the Mid-Island region including Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Port Alberni, and Ladysmith. Our 20 lawyers engage in the following Practice Groups: Commercial (business acquisitions and sales; commercial contracts; corporate records and reorganizations; real estate development and conveyancing), Family (divorce, separation, support and custody), Estates (wills, estate and incapacity planning; estate administration; estate litigation), Litigation (civil claims, construction and commercial disputes; personal injury and insurance defence; residential and commercial tenancy disputes; immigration issues) and Financial Services (commercial lending; mortgages and security agreements; secured transactions; syndicated loans; foreclosures and collections). Our lawyers are supported by experienced and talented staff within each of the Practice Groups. We are dedicated to providing exceptional, cost-effective service to our clients. We are also very proud of our legal heritage as 5 of our partners have been appointed to the Supreme Court of British Columbia, 4 as Judges and 1 as a Master. At Heath Law LLP we match our commitment to our clients with community service. We support local causes, programs and initiatives, and each year we fund a Vancouver Island University Scholarship which is awarded to deserving students from our service area.

10/14/2026

Is This Defamation? Understanding Defamation Law In BC

Defamation Law in BC: Libel, Slander & Online Reviews

Have you or your business suffered a loss as a result of someone else’s words? Conversely, is someone alleging that you have caused them harm because you shared a review online? It can be hard to tell whether a person has a legitimate claim for defamation under the law. This article provides basic information about defamation law in BC.

The basic elements of defamation in BC

There are three things which must be proved for a defamation claim to be successful. As set out in the case of Grant v. Torstar Corp., 2009 SCC 61, (1) there must be a defamatory statement, (2) the statement must refer to the plaintiff, (3) the statement must be communicated to a third party. Once these three things have been proved the person being accused of defamation must put forward a defence to escape liability. If it has been proved that a defamatory statement referring to the plaintiff was made to a third party, it is presumed that the statement was meant to cause harm to the reputation of the plaintiff.

Libel vs. slander

Libel and slander both fall under defamation. The difference between libel and slander is the method by which the statement is communicated to third parties. Libel is typically recorded in some form and shared. Under BC’s Libel and Slander Act, RSBC 1996, c 263 defamatory words in a broadcast are deemed to be published and to constitute libel. Social media posts also fall under libel.

Read the whole article here: https://www.nanaimolaw.com/is-this-defamation-understanding-defamation-law-in-bc/

Ph: (250) 753-2202, Toll Free: 1-866-753-2202

We are open Monday to Friday, 8:30AM – 5PM

10/09/2026

🦃 HAPPY THANKSGIVING 🦃

This Thanksgiving, we’re especially grateful for the opportunity to be part of a strong and caring community.

At Heath Law, we believe that serving our clients is about more than the law—it’s about people, relationships, and making a positive difference when it matters most.

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, happy, and meaningful Thanksgiving.

From all of us at Heath Law LLP

Ph: (250) 753-2202, Toll Free: 1-866-753-2202

We are open Monday to Friday, 8:30AM – 5PM

10/08/2026

Property Line And Neighbour Disputes In BC: Fences, Trees, And Boundaries

Determining where property lines are is not as simple as it may seem.

You cannot merely look to where an old fence happens to sit to figure it out. To know exactly where your property ends and your neighbour’s begins, you must look to the registered title and survey plans of your property.

How boundaries are legally determined

Land registered with the Land Title and Survey Authority (“LTSA”) will have a legal description and survey plans, which set out the exact boundaries of your property. Information about these records can easily be accessed through the LTSA website. Encroachments, meaning physical objects put on your property by your neighbour, don’t create ownership rights in BC.

Adverse possession is when a person acquires rights to a piece of land by using it openly for a given amount of time, without the legal owner stopping them. This is NOT the law in BC, although it may be elsewhere. BC abolished adverse possession against registered titleholders long ago.

The role of a BC Land Surveyor

If there is a dispute about where a property line is, the first professional you should contact is a surveyor, not a lawyer. A surveyor will be able to determine the boundaries of your property. If the surveyor is unable to determine the existing boundaries, they will investigate and establish where the property lines should be.

Read the whole article here: https://www.nanaimolaw.com/property-line-and-neighbour-disputes-in-bc-fences-trees-and-boundaries/

Ph: (250) 753-2202, Toll Free: 1-866-753-2202

We are open Monday to Friday, 8:30AM – 5PM

10/07/2026

🏆 Three years in a row!

We’re proud to announce that Heath Law LLP has been voted 1st Place in the Lawyers category in the Nanaimo News Bulletin’s 2026 Best in the City awards!

This recognition is especially meaningful because it comes from the community we’ve proudly served for over 75 years.

A sincere thank you to everyone who voted for us, and to our dedicated team for their continued commitment to providing exceptional legal services.

We’re honoured to have your trust and support!

10/05/2026

Separation And Divorce In BC: Property, Parenting Time, And Support Basics

Two overlapping legal frameworks

Family law in BC is governed by two different pieces of legislation. The federal Divorce Act (the “DA”) and BC’s Family Law Act (the “FLA”). The DA pertains to married spouses and the FLA is applicable to both married and common-law spouses and provides guidance about property division, parenting arrangements and support issues.

Who counts as a “spouse” in BC

Under the FLA, people are spouses if they are married to one another or have lived in a marriage-like relationship for at least 2 years. For the purposes of the FLA, the term spouse includes a former spouse. The relationship between the spouses begins on the earlier of either the date on which they began to live together in a marriage-like relationship or the date of their marriage. Under the DA, people are only spouses if they are legally married to each other. In certain circumstances, a former spouse may be included under the definition of spouse for the purposes of the DA.

Property division basics
Under the FLA, spouses are both entitled to family property and responsible for family debt and, on separation, each spouse has a right to an undivided half interest in all family property as a tenant in common and is equally responsible for family debt. Family property on the date the spouses separate includes property that is owned by at least one spouse, or a beneficial interest of at least one spouse in property.

Read the whole article here: https://www.nanaimolaw.com/seperation-and-divorce-in-bc-property-parenting-time-and-support-basics/

Ph: (250) 753-2202, Toll Free: 1-866-753-2202

We are open Monday to Friday, 8:30AM – 5PM

10/02/2026

What Should Be Found In A Franchise Disclosure Document?

Before a person buys a franchise, there is certain information they will want to have.
A franchisor must provide a potential franchisee with a Franchise Disclosure Document that contains particular information and meets a specified form, as per the BC Franchises Act, SBC 2015, c 35. This article outlines basic information necessary to understand what must be included in a Franchise Disclosure Document.

Background
Under the Franchises Act, franchisors must provide potential franchisees with a disclosure document at least 14 days before either the signing by the prospective franchisee of the franchise agreement, or the payment by the prospective franchisee of any consideration relating to the franchise (whichever is earlier). This disclosure document must be delivered as one complete document, at one time. A disclosure document must contain all material facts, and the following:

prescribed financial statements;

copies of all proposed franchise agreements, and other agreements relating to the franchise, to be signed by a prospective franchisee;

prescribed statements that have the purpose of assisting a prospective franchisee to make informed investment decisions;

other prescribed information;

copies of other prescribed documents.

Read the whole article here: https://www.nanaimolaw.com/what-should-be-found-in-a-franchise-disclosure-document/

Ph: (250) 753-2202, Toll Free: 1-866-753-2202

We are open Monday to Friday, 8:30AM – 5PM

09/18/2026

Do I Actually Need A Lawyer For Small Claims In BC?

If someone owes you money or a contractor did bad work, you may be asking yourself whether you really need to hire a lawyer or whether you can just handle it yourself.

Cases which do not involve a lot of money and seem straightforward may or may not be worth hiring a lawyer. The question is, how do you know whether you will be able to navigate the dispute yourself. That is a highly fact dependent question, so here is some information about how claims of smaller monetary value are handled and some indications as to whether you should consider hiring a lawyer or whether you should represent yourself.

Two tracks in BC

There are two tracks which are meant for people to make their civil claim without the assistance of a lawyer, depending on the monetary value of their claim. The Civil Resolution Tribunal (“CRT”) is meant for claims up to $5,000. The Provincial Court (“Small Claims”) is meant for claims up to $35,000. Both of these processes are meant to be straightforward, simple, and affordable.

What the CRT process actually looks like

Read the whole article here: https://www.nanaimolaw.com/do-i-actually-need-a-lawyer-for-small-claims-in-bc/

Ph: (250) 753-2202, Toll Free: 1-866-753-2202

We are open Monday to Friday, 8:30AM – 5PM

08/28/2026

What annual documents need to be prepared for a corporation in B.C.?

Key Annual Obligations for Corporations in British Columbia

The British Columbia Business Corporations Act (BCA) requires all corporations to file an annual report with the registrar, pursuant to section 51 of the Act. By filing your annual report, you are informing the B.C. Registry that your company is in active standing. A failure to file an annual report after two consecutive years may result in company dissolution. This post looks at important annual maintenance responsibilities and obligations of a corporation.

Annual Reference Date and Annual General Meeting

Section 1(1) of the BCA describes the annual reference date as the date when the next general meeting is to be held. This date is to be one year from the previous annual general meeting or before as approved by shareholders which needs to be filed in the annual general meeting.

The BCA requires that a corporation hold an annual general meeting every year, within two months after each anniversary of the date on which the company was recognized. At the meeting, the directors are to provide financial statements as well as any auditor’s report on the financial statements.

Read the whole article here: https://www.nanaimolaw.com/what-annual-documents-need-to-be-prepared-for-a-corporation-in-b-c/

Ph: (250) 753-2202, Toll Free: 1-866-753-2202

We are open Monday to Friday, 8:30AM – 5PM

08/26/2026

What are the tax implications of buying a business, and how can I minimize them?

When purchasing a business it is essential for buyers to consider the potential tax implications and strategies to minimize them.

Two key tax considerations are the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and provincial sales tax (PST). The method of acquisition, whether through share or asset transfer, significantly impacts the tax outcome. In general, when buying a business by transferring shares, GST is often exempt, as shares are considered financial instruments.

However, in asset transfers, the GST exemption does not apply, so careful evaluation of the transaction is necessary to determine GST obligations. To further complicate matters, the choice between share and asset transactions can also affect provincial sales tax liabilities. Real estate holdings within the business, for instance, can significantly impact property transfer tax costs.

Read the whole article here: https://www.nanaimolaw.com/what-are-the-tax-implications-of-buying-a-business-and-how-can-i-minimize-them/

Ph: (250) 753-2202, Toll Free: 1-866-753-2202

We are open Monday to Friday, 8:30AM – 5PM

08/24/2026

What intellectual property considerations are important in a business acquisition?

When acquiring a business, prospective buyers should give careful attention to the realm of intellectual property (IP).

Protecting and leveraging these intangible assets is paramount. A buyer would do well to consider any trademarks, and whether they are owned by the business or individuals, and to ensure they are registered. A buyer should evaluate the business’s brand recognition in the market.

They should also assess patents and inventions, scrutinize copyrighted material, and confirm ownership and usage rights. A buyer of a business should not overlook the safeguarding of trade secrets and confidential information, as these may be pivotal to the business’s success.

Read the whole article here: https://www.nanaimolaw.com/what-intellectual-property-considerations-are-important-in-a-business-acquisition/

Ph: (250) 753-2202, Toll Free: 1-866-753-2202

We are open Monday to Friday, 8:30AM – 5PM

Address

200, 1808 Bowen Road
Nanaimo, BC
V9S5W4

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm

Website

https://www.nanaimolaw.com/

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