The Doctrine of Merger in California real property law provides that when a greater and lesser estate are vested in the same person, the lesser estate may merge into the greater estate and the lesser estate be terminated. A practical example is the case of an easement on one of the properties (the servient) for…
Why It’s Hard to Get a Mortgage in Canada One of the things that all investors face sooner or later is a head-on confrontation with tough financing rules. Over the last 20 years, the Canadian federal government has tightened the rules around getting a mortgage. These moves have been aimed at cooling Canada’s hot real…
As of July 1, 2023, Florida’s recently enacted legislation, SB264, restricts certain foreigners from buying or owning Florida real estate. Specifically, the new law, codified in Florida Statutes 692.202-204, provides land ownership restriction, prohibiting “foreign principals” from owning or acquiring agricultural land or real property within ten miles of any military installation or critical infrastructure…
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As Hurricane Idalia heads for Florida’s Gulf Coast, some property owners, developers, construction industry professionals, and other building permit- and authorization-holders may be eligible for extensions to preserve their development and construction rights. A Florida law allows certain qualifying permits and authorizations to be extended beyond their current expiration dates once the Governor issues a…
Nobody likes to be told not to do something. So, I am writing this blog post understanding that my contractor friends, who I have written about in many posts such as Restoration Contractors Providing Great Quality Workmanship Are Policyholder Friends But Many Insurance Companies Refuse To Pay For Quality, and The Hero Contractor: Being a Contender and Not…
Coercion and Extortion have similarities, but these crimes have distinct elements that make them unique under the New York Penal Law. Charges of extortion and coercion allege that a defendant has used the threat of property damage or force to compel another person to do something that they would have otherwise not done unless for…
The circumstances surrounding the forced resignation of Melissa Ringel on April 20th , who had headed the Appellate Division, First Department’s program for mediating appeals has raised questions about former Appellate Division Justice James M. McGuire’s conduct after he left the bench in 2011 and joined the Dechert law firm. He is now a partner…
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In assault cases, a witness can make or break a case. They can often be the most solid form of evidence and can help to establish the facts. Whether for the prosecution or the defence, a witness can be key to the outcome. Whether you are due to be a witness or are depending on…
In a previous blog post, we covered the impact of Bill C-11 and how the proposed legislation would regulate social media and streaming companies in Canada. In spring 2023, Bill C-11 received Royal Assent, becoming the Online Streaming Act, and began amending the Broadcasting Act. This included the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) developing…
Canada’s Post-Graduate Work Permit (“PGWP”) program (the “PGWPP“) allows international students who have completed certain Canadian post-secondary programs to obtain work permits after graduating. The work permits are open, meaning that the graduates can work for any employer in any Canadian province. It is a fantastic program that enhances the competitiveness of Canadian post-secondary institutions…
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