Duncan, Linton LLP

10/07/2026

A failed real estate deal can lead to court-enforced title transfers. Stay legally protected! Read more: https://ow.ly/xQq350ZV1Ll

Ruling notes would-be seller repeatedly breached contractual obligations

10/05/2026

Recent court rulings continue to highlight the critical role of statutory holdback compliance in large-scale infrastructure projects. In a recent decision involving the Ottawa LRT Trillium Line extension, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ordered general contractor AtkinsRéalis to release over $703,000 in holdback funds to a subcontractor.

This case serves as an important reminder for project owners, general contractors, and subcontractors across Ontario: statutory holdbacks under the Construction Act are strictly enforced to protect project cash flow and ensure fair payment practices. Managing holdback obligations and navigating payment disputes early can make all the difference in safeguarding your operations.

Read the full details of the decision here:

Ontario Construction News staff writer An Ontario Superior Court of Justice judge has ordered general contractor AtkinsRéalis to release $703,000 in statutory holdback funds to Ottawa subcontractor Bradley-Kelly Construction Ltd., establishing critical guidance on how the province’s Construction ...

09/30/2026

Today we remember the tragic legacy of residential schools and reaffirm our dedication to supporting Indigenous rights, self-determination, and cultural revitalization.

09/29/2026

AI-driven virtual staging is transforming how residential properties are marketed across Ontario. While digital enhancement can boost buyer interest and showcase a property's potential, real estate transactions require clear boundaries between creative marketing and legal disclosure.

In Waterloo Region, misrepresenting a property's true condition or features can lead to disputes regarding misrepresentation, latent defects, or breach of contract. Working with a real estate lawyer ensures seller disclosures, purchase agreements, and marketing representations align with provincial property standards and protect your interests on closing day.

https://ow.ly/I2Gs50ZS0p8

Is this a dangerous path?

09/23/2026

Our firm was happy to support the local Romanian community as one of the sponsors of the second annual Romanian Food Festival this past weekend. Our associate, Adrian L. Roșu, and his family enjoyed connecting with many members of the Romanian community, which he proudly serves through his legal practice.

Thank you to the organizers and volunteers for a fantastic event. We were pleased to support this celebration of Romanian culture and community!

09/22/2026

The sudden bankruptcy and immediate closure of the International Language Academy of Canada highlight the severe financial strain that shifting regulatory environments can place on private educational institutions and operational businesses.

When a corporate entity abruptly files for bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, it creates urgent priorities for creditors, commercial landlords, employees, and contract partners seeking to recover unpaid claims, enforce security interests, or navigate statutory priorities with the appointed licensed insolvency trustee.

The school said in a notice it had done "everything possible" to ensure it had the resources it needed to operate, but it could no longer continue to operate.

09/15/2026

An effective estate plan is about far more than drafting legal documents—it is about structuring conversations that bring clarity to complex decisions.

A well-designed planning process helps clients answer three fundamental questions: who should inherit, how gifts should be structured (such as outright distributions versus trusts), and how assets actually move through the estate under different scenarios. Moving beyond linear, clause-by-clause reviews to visual and structured frameworks helps families across Waterloo Region truly understand how their estate plans operate in practice.

https://ow.ly/Er8250ZNYB0

How a structured conversation can help clients understand what their estate plan is intended to do

09/08/2026

Canadian consumer insolvencies have reached their highest quarterly levels since 2009, driven by persistent cost-of-living pressures and structural debt gaps.

Restructuring mechanisms under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act - such as consumer proposals or commercial restructurings - provide viable pathways to regain financial stability and manage creditor relationships before choices become forced.

This article breaks down the latest Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy data and insights from industry leaders.

https://ow.ly/9mhh50ZKKHz

09/04/2026

Happy Labour Day Long Weekend! We hope your long weekend is filled with good food, great company, and time to unwind. Enjoy the last long weekend of the summer season.

09/01/2026

Using AI chatbots to draft a will may seem like a quick and cost-effective solution, but relying on algorithmic tools for estate planning carries substantial legal risks. Online generators often fail to account for complex provincial legislation, tax implications, or unique family dynamics. Minor drafting errors, ambiguous language, or missed statutory requirements can easily lead to invalid documents, unintended tax consequences, and costly court disputes for surviving family members.

Personalized legal guidance remains essential to ensuring your estate plan is valid, legally binding, and fully enforceable under Ontario law: https://ow.ly/4Nl050ZHmII

As Canadians turn to AI for estate advice, lawyers warn the technology has its limits