When it comes to court orders, clever wording and strategic manoeuvring are not always the best route. Do it wrong, and you could find yourself facing contempt of court, a rare but serious situation. In this episode, hosts Ted Brook and Erin Brown, along with their guests, unpack the intriguing case between the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) and the Association of Architectural Technologists of Ontario (AATO), whose licensing dispute led to a rare finding of contempt. Joining them in the conversation are guests Chris Muir, a litigation partner in the Toronto office, and David Litwin, Senior Counsel at the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority.
Together, they take a detailed look at the case, the key players, and the long-standing tensions between the two associations. They walk through everything from the consent order to the contested conduct that triggered the contempt motion, breaking down what makes up the legal standard for civil contempt. Finally, they share broader takeaways for today’s counsel, including the importance of clarity in court orders, consistency in regulatory decision-making, and the caution all regulators must exercise.
This episode is accredited 0.67 substantive hours in Ontario and 0.67 substantive hours in British Columbia.
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