Renn A. Holness is a gifted lawyer and author to over 1000 legal blog articles. Married father of two daughters, son of a neurosurgeon and founder of Holness and Small Law Group

Disbursements and Expert Evidence Regulation

6% Cap on Case Expenses for Car Accident Claimants: Case Review

Background to the 6% Cap on Disbursements The Disbursements and Expert Evidence Regulation caps disbursements in personal injury cases at 6% of the plaintiff’s total damages post-trial or settlement. It only applies to vehicle injury proceedings, essentially car accident cases. It requires injury claimants to apply to exclude disbursements from this cap before the disbursement…

Nursing Staff Negligent for Failing to Provide One‑to‑One Supervision

In this medical malpractice case the Vancouver General Hospital appealed a decision finding them negligent in failing to assign one-on-one supervision to an elderly patient (Vancouver General Hospital v. Zheng,2024 BCCA 42). The patient subsequently fell and broke his hip. The appeal focused on whether the trial judge erred in concluding that the standard of…

Canada’s Artificial Intelligence Law: Federal AI Regulation

 Bill C-27: Laws to regulate artificial intelligence systems in Canada Artificial Intelligence Regulation Introduces the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act to set common requirements for the design, development, and use of artificial intelligence systems, aiming to mitigate risks of harm and biased output. Prohibits specific practices with data and artificial intelligence systems that may result in serious harm to…

ICBC’s Minor Injury Defense Fails to Stay Lawsuit

In this personal injury case, Ross v. Hammer, 2023 BCSC 2306  the defendants sought a stay on the injury claimant’s Supreme Court lawsuit until the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) determined whether the injuries from a motor vehicle accident were minor as per the Insurance (Vehicle) Act. The CRT’s jurisdiction over this matter, as outlined in…

Disbursements and Expert Evidence Regulation

Case Expenses Excluded from the 6% Disbursement Cap

In the first reported 6% disbursement cap case,  Nagra v. Prasad,2023 BCSC 2297 the plaintiff sought an exclusion of disbursements under the Disbursements and Expert Evidence Regulation, B.C. Reg. 31/2021. The regulation, effective November 27, 2023, capped disbursements at 6 percent of a plaintiff’s total damages, requiring applications to exclude disbursements before they are incurred.…

Humans No Longer Center of the Intelligent Legal World

Not only can our modern AI’s beat humans at math and memory skills, some are now far better at creating art and literature. It has become clear, humans are no longer the most intelligent on the planet. That’s not to say we won’t find purpose and meaning in the future, just not for the same…

ICBC Denied Minor Injury Cap Defence

In this personal injury case the car accident occurred in February 2021. The plaintiff alleged severe and ongoing injuries affecting her ability to work as a registered nurse.(Wiggins v. Yokota 2023 BCSC 219) The ICBC lawyer originally on the case did not plead the Minor Injury cap as a defense. The new lawyer sought to…

6% Cap on Injury Victim Case Costs Brought Back by NDP

Financial hardship is expected for those injured in car accidents in British Columbia. David Eby and the NDP have brought back the 6% cap on injury victim’s case expenses. The Disbursement and Expert Evidence Regulation will create prejudice for those injury victims left fighting ICBC and their lawyers. The change in law prevents injury victims…

Witness Testimony and Constructed Emotions: A New Way to Understand Credibility

  The interpretation of witness evidence plays a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of many injury cases. Understanding the emotional states and intentions of witnesses can be a crucial factor in assessing the credibility of their testimony. Our discussion of the theory of constructed emotions provides valuable insights for lawyers when interpreting witness evidence.…