Legally Speaking with Michael Mulligan

Can we really ensure the safety and dignity of elderly care facility residents when young adults with severe mental health and addiction issues are placed among them? This episode exposes the unsettling reality in Victoria and Nanaimo, where vulnerable elderly individuals share long-term care homes with younger adults facing significant challenges. We break down the legal ramifications, analyze th...

Are machetes the next weapon to be banned in Canada? Join us as we dissect the provincial NDP Attorney General's request to the federal government following a tragic attack in Vancouver. We'll scrutinize the effectiveness of recent bail reforms and explore the peculiarities of Canada's current weapon prohibitions, including some surprising bans on items like nunchucks and certain mi...

Curious about the legalities that surround everyday mishaps? Join us as we explore these fascinating topics with Michael Mulligan, a seasoned Barrister and Solicitor from Mulligan Defence Lawyers. We kick off by dissecting a real-life incident where a woman sustained serious injuries after tripping in a pothole at a 7-Eleven parking lot. Michael offers a deep dive into the Occupiers Liability Act...

Discover the hidden cracks in British Columbia's mental health system as we dissect a recent tragic case in Vancouver that underscores systemic failures. Despite the Mental Health Act's provisions, inadequate resources and treatment facilities have left many vulnerable individuals untreated and homeless. We'll explore the urgent need for proactive measures and discuss how addressing...

Can changing bail laws solve the epidemic of drug addiction and mental illness plaguing British Columbia? Join us as Michael Mulligan challenges the status quo, making the case that the province's focus on bail reform is a misstep. Instead, Mulligan argues for a more holistic approach that prioritizes comprehensive treatment resources to tackle the roots of criminal behavior. Through a critic...

Ever wondered how a simple oversight can cost thousands in the legal world? Join us in this episode of Legally Speaking as we examine a pivotal case in the Canadian criminal justice system where the Crown's failure to hand over essential police notes in an impaired driving case led to a hefty financial penalty. We delve into the consequences of this negligence, including a rare ruling for cos...

Ever wondered how far the boundaries of solicitor-client privilege extend? Join us in a riveting conversation with Michael Mulligan from Mulligan Defence Lawyers as we explore the critical nuances of wiretaps and lawyer-client communications. Starting with a fascinating case from Saskatchewan, we uncover the story of a lawyer acquitted of obstruction of justice for allegedly tipping off a client a...

What if the justice system could truly hold police accountable? Explore the intricate and troubling case from Prince George, starting with a tragic encounter between an Indigenous man and RCMP officers that led to his death. We'll unravel the story of a bystander's crucial video evidence, its controversial deletion, and the ensuing legal battles that spotlight the need for judicial trans...

How can courtroom chaos lead to a year-long prison sentence being overturned? Discover the riveting story of a man's disruptive behaviour during his trial that led to a contempt conviction. Find out why his relentless pseudo-legal arguments and interruptions didn't hold up as the Court of Appeal stepped in to reverse the decision. We break down the different forms of contempt of court, f...

What happens when a tragic act of violence intersects with mental illness and substance abuse? Join us on Legally Speaking as we unpack the heart-wrenching case of a 25-year-old Indigenous man in Trail, BC, who fatally attacked a 78-year-old stranger. This episode challenges the simplistic narrative of violent acts as mere bail system failures. We scrutinize the court's decision to convict th...

What happens when the law collides with contentious family decisions and public safety? Join us as we sit down with Michael Mulligan, a barrister and solicitor from Mulligan Defence Lawyers, to dissect a variety of complex legal scenarios. From the stringent criteria required to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada to a severe sentence handed down in Ontario for driving while disqualified, we exp...

Can employers terminate employees without cause, and what are the legal nuances involved? Michael Mulligan from Mulligan Defence Lawyers to unravel a recent Court of Appeal decision in British Columbia surrounding wrongful dismissal, notice, and an employment contract. We dissect the case of a senior employee from Harbour Air Seaplanes who was let go during the COVID-19 pandemic and examine how th...

What happens when the right to a fair and public trial clashes with the need to protect informer confidentiality? This episode of our podcast takes you through a riveting journey into the complex world of informer privilege and the right to a transparent judicial process. We scrutinize a landmark Supreme Court of Canada decision involving a secret trial in Quebec, where the Quebec Court of Appeal...

Can corporations truly safeguard your privacy, or are we all at risk? Join us as we tackle this pressing question with Michael Mulligan from Mulligan Defence Lawyers. In one of the most startling cases in recent memory, we dissect how an employee at the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) sold personal information, resulting in arson and shootings. You'll learn about the class-ac...

How does a jury decide the value of the emotional and physical toll from a medical misdiagnosis? Join us as we explore a poignant case where a woman was mistakenly diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent unnecessary surgery, leading to a $400,000 jury award. We'll unravel the stringent criteria needed to hold a doctor legally accountable and dissect the often-mysterious process by which ju...

Could the very pillars of legal independence be shaking in British Columbia? Michael Mulligan, Barrister and solicitor of Mulligan Defence Lawyers, joins us in dissecting the controversial Legal Professions Act. His perspective shines an unflinching light on how this act could threaten the impartiality crucial to our justice system and the public interest. Get ready for a stirring analysis of the...

Discover the unexpected legal twist when a skid steer transforms from a farm machine into an alleged weapon! Michael Mulligan, our expert from Mulligan Defence Lawyers, is back to dissect a peculiar case from Vernon where a man faces assault charges for using his skid steer in a dispute with homeless trespassers. Learn what makes a skid steer a "weapon," and get a masterclass in the lega...

Discover the true impact of British Columbia's drug policy changes and the possible re-criminalization of hard drugs in public spaces as we navigate the labyrinthine details of Section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. With the guidance of Michael Mulligan from Mulligan Defence Lawyers, our latest conversation illuminates the gaps between government announcements and the actual l...

Prepare to be engrossed as Michael Mulligan from Mulligan Defence Lawyers dissects the intricate case of Ms. Davidson, deputy leader of the federal Green Party, whose criminal contempt conviction has stirred debate. The fine line between staunch activism and legal adherence is put to the test in our discussion of her bail pending appeal. We'll explore whether Davidson's bold pre-sentenci...

Join the riveting conversation with Michael Mulligan from Mulligan Defence Lawyers as we unravel the complexities of the presumption of innocence in a special episode that delves into the legal labyrinth following a man arrested for multiple carjacking incidents. Mulligan illuminates the difficult decision points for police post-arrest and lays bare the intricacies of bail assessment, particularly...

Prepare to navigate the tumultuous waters of legal reform and societal justice with our  guest, Michael Mulligan from Mulligan Defence Lawyers. Our latest episode peels back the layers of Bill 21, a contentious BCNDP legislation aimed at bringing the regulator of lawyers in British Columbia under political control. Feel the electric tension as we dissect the Law Society of BC's apprehensions,...

British Columbia's legal system faces a seismic shift with Bill 21, a move that could rock the bedrock principle of lawyer independence. As the government nudges its way into the Law Society's boardroom, we're left pondering: will the scales of justice tilt in favour of those in power? This episode pulls back the curtain on the potential repercussions of such unprecedented governmen...

Embark on a journey through Canada and New Zealand's legal intricacies with Michael Mulligan from Mulligan Defense Lawyers as we dissect how these common law cousins approach justice, representation, and the battle against drugs. You'll be captivated by our discussion highlighting the disparities in Indigenous peoples' representation in the prison systems—a pressing issue both here...

Discover the fate of legal independence in British Columbia as Michael Mulligan from Mulligan Defence Lawyers lends his expertise to the latest legal system 'modernization' attempts. This week's episode pulls back the curtain on the government's controversial plans to revamp the Law Society of British Columbia, including a reduction in elected lawyer positions, which may lead t...

Discover the intricate dance of legality and medicine as we sit down with Barrister and Solicitor Michael Mulligan from Mulligan Defense Lawyers, dissecting a lawsuit that could transform the landscape of healthcare in British Columbia. The Society for Canadians Studying Medicine Abroad, representing future doctors trained overseas, is challenging the residency placement system they believe is unf...