Jacob Gehlen has joined SMS as an associate in its Litigation group. Jacob was called to the B.C. Bar in 2016 and has spent his career conducting high-level civil litigation with leading firms in Vancouver. Jacob earned his law degree from the University of Toronto after obtaining an undergraduate degree at McGill University. We are excited to have Jacob join our team.

From all the lawyers and support staff at Stewart McDannold Stuart, we wish you all the best for the holiday season and a happy and prosperous New Year. Please note that our office will be closed from December 25th to 27th.

The recent decision of Armstrong v. District of North Saanich, 2024 BCSC 1844 involved the District of North Saanich finding itself in the middle of a neighbour dispute. It is an important decision in confirming that the courts cannot and will not interfere with local government decisions so long as the local government can demonstrate it acted on the basis of at least one reasonable interpretation of the legislative framework granting it authority to act. Even where there is another reasonable interpretation of the legislative framework, even a stronger interpretation, that is not sufficient to authorize the Court to interfere with the local government’s decisions or actions. Click here to continue reading at sms.bc.ca

At 10:00 am on October 7, 2024, municipal tax collectors across British Columbia will conduct the statutorily mandated annual tax sale for 2024.  Properties with delinquent property tax accounts, which are those with three years of unpaid property taxes, will be sold to the highest bidder above the “upset price.” The upset price is the amount of outstanding taxes plus penalties, interest, costs, and fees. Click here to continue reading at sms.bc.ca

On June 17, 2024, in the judgment of R v Reid, 2024 BCSC 1044, Madam Justice Sharma of the British Columbia Supreme Court released her decision on what, at first blush, appears to be an undeniably odd question under appeal: is a guinea fowl a “fowl” for the purposes of Vancouver’s Animal Control Bylaw 9150 (The “Animal Control Bylaw”). Click here to continue reading at sms.bc.ca