SPILL: You Know You’re Practising Law in Canada When…

In the lead-up to Canada Day, we’ve decided to take a lighthearted look at those national quirks or distinctions that set us apart, so we asked lawyers to complete a sentence that begins:

 “You know you’re practising law in Canada when…”

“... you read a statute and there is punctuation to guide you.” – Lisa Laredo, Sole, Small Firm and General Practice Executive
 

“... you are constantly reminding your client that it’s examination for discovery and not deposition.” – Brenda Hollingsworth, OBA Board
 

“... the IRCC portal is down (again), you are hitting refresh while explaining, for the tenth time today, that 'in process’ could mean anything from tomorrow to next Canada Day.” – Aminder Kaur Mangat, Citizenship and Immigration Law Executive
 

"... you have to check the division of powers.” – Mina Karabit, Administrative Law Section Executive
 

"... the case law you're relying on has to do with the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist.” – Alisha Kapur, Health Law Section Executive
 

“... you have to call someone your friend when they are actually your enemy.” – Emma Gardiner, Administrative Law Section Executive

and
“... when you call your adversary ‘my friend’!” - Saba Ahmad, Civil Litigation Section Executive
 

“... when there is a solicitor representing each of the seller and buyer in a real estate transaction.” – Raymond G Leclair, Real Property Law Section
 

"... a key part of mentoring is teaching juniors how to get to court entirely underground in a blizzard that shuts down the subway.” – Elizabeth Hall, OBA Executive Director
 

"... you find yourself straightening your court tabs with your curling iron on the morning of trial.” – Brenda Hollingsworth, OBA Board
 

“... you can threaten to appeal to the Privy Council and some people still get the joke.” – Mitchell Rose, Labour and Employment Law Section Executive