Legally Speaking with Michael Mulligan

The latest Legally Speaking segment with Michael Mulligan takes listeners on a fascinating journey through British Columbia's alternative dispute resolution landscape, revealing both promising innovations and concerning pitfalls in our justice system. The conversation begins with an extraordinary Civil Resolution Tribunal case in which a woman abandoned $95,000 of her $100,000 claim to procee...

Democracy stands at a crossroads in British Columbia as Michael Mulligan delivers a powerful analysis of the NDP's proposed Tariff Response Act (Bill C-7). Drawing on historical parallels that send shivers down the spine, Mulligan unpacks how this legislation bears troubling similarities to Nazi Germany's 1933 Enabling Act—legislation that effectively rendered their legislature irrelevan...

A Canadian adult entertainment company faces an $850,000 fine after Health Canada's undercover operation exposed a lucrative scheme selling "natural health products" that secretly contained prescription medication. Michael Mulligan walks us through how MFH International Enterprises marketed pills called "Harmony" and "Passion Femme" as herbal alternatives while c...

The spectre of trade wars looms as social media announced tariffs threaten to disrupt the Canada-US relationship, but a powerful alternative to the traditional tit-for-tat approach exists. Rather than punishing ourselves with counter-tariffs that make goods more expensive for Canadians, we could follow Brazil's remarkably successful strategy from 2010. When faced with harmful US cotton subsid...

Explore the intricate landscape of Canadian immigration law with us in this episode, where we unravel the surprising realities that can lead to deportation for long-term residents. Our primary focus is a captivating case involving a UK citizen who, after living in Canada for over 70 years, finds himself facing deportation due to organized criminality. The conversation sheds light on the legal defi...

What legal responsibilities do towns have when a simple stroll through a park turns tragic? Join us as we sit down with Michael Mulligan to uncover the layers of liability and negligence that come into play when public spaces fail to safeguard their visitors. Through the lens of a heart-wrenching case involving a young boy in Gibsons who became tetraplegic after a dead tree fell on him, we explore...

Unlock the secrets to challenging traffic citations and safeguarding your inheritance as we dissect intriguing legal scenarios from British Columbia. Ever wondered about the complexities behind those speed signs in construction zones? Discover how questioning their validity can shift the burden onto the Crown and how this impacts unsuspecting drivers. We'll shine a light on the legal presumpt...

Prepare to challenge your understanding of Canadian law with our guest, Michael Mulligan, as we unravel three pivotal legal cases making headlines in British Columbia. First, we dissect a bold ruling where a BC judge declared the 25-year parole ineligibility for first-degree murder unconstitutional. This decision could transform the legal landscape, questioning whether longstanding standards align...

What if one impulsive moment could change a murder charge to manslaughter? Understanding the intricate nuances of Canadian law, we unpack the legal concept of provocation, especially its role in the justice system. Explore the far-reaching implications of the 2015 amendments under the Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices Act and the constitutional debates they spark. Discover a recent BC...

Imagine being penalized for a simple screen touch while trying to make a living. Michael Mulligan of Mulligan Defence Lawyers joins us to unravel the outdated distracted driving laws that put gig economy drivers in a bind. Our conversation sheds light on how these regulations, which only permit screen interactions for phone calls, fail to consider today's work environment for gig workers like...

Unlock the hidden power of intellectual property in global trade as we explore Canada's strategic maneuvers against US policies. Instead of traditional tariffs, imagine the impact of restricting US intellectual property rights on Canadian soil. Get ready to dissect a thrilling legal case over a $2 million lottery ticket—is it a solo jackpot or a group windfall? We unravel the details, from th...

The episode dives into the intriguing dynamics between the United States and Canada, particularly surrounding trade and intellectual property (IP). As US President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on Canadian goods, a discussion emerged on how Canada could respond strategically. The central theme revolves around the underappreciated power of intellectual property as a bargaining chip in trade negot...

Can a province truly bypass judicial processes in the name of housing development? Join us as we tackle this question with Michael Mulligan of Mulligan Defence Lawyers, providing his expert insights into a legal storm brewing over a proposed 12-story housing project in Vancouver's Kitsilano neighbourhood. This episode uncovers constitutional tensions as the provincial government attempts to c...

Our conversation begins with a deep dive into the charge approval process for sexual assault, where we illuminate the nuances between the standards required for police arrests and those for Crown charge approvals. We tackle the challenge of relying solely on the versions of events provided by complaints due to the lack of independent witnesses or forensic evidence. Through a discussion on trauma-i...

Why did former Constable Ferris' questionable actions lead to a legal overturning of drug convictions, and what role did an inadequate defence play in this dramatic courtroom saga? Join us as we promise to unravel the complexities of police misconduct, discredited testimonies, and the impact of mental health on legal defence. With Michael Mulligan of Mulligan Defence Lawyers as our guide, we...

Michael Mulligan from Mulligan Defence Lawyers joins us to untangle the intricate web of legal challenges sparked by personal entanglements within the courtroom. Imagine a scenario where a defence counsel's paralegal is romantically involved with the Crown counsel during a sexual assault trial. This isn't a plot twist from a legal drama, but a real-life case from Courtenay that led to a...

Unravel the complexities of the criminal justice system as we confront two captivating legal stories in this episode. We begin with the unsettling case of a man whose violent spree of stranger attacks led to a legal battle over his sentence. Despite a traumatic past and serious substance issues, the BC Court of Appeal upheld his seven-year sentence, prompting us to question the balance between jus...

Experience an insightful journey through the complexities of the electoral process and the justice system with Michael Mulligan, Barrister and Solicitor at Mulligan Defence Lawyers. Ever wondered how a mere 27-vote difference can trigger a full judicial recount? This episode unravels the meticulous choreography behind recounts in the Surrey-Guilford Electoral District. Michael sheds light on how t...

Discover the serious legal ramifications of fleeing from justice in our latest episode, where we promise to unravel the complexities of absconding from trial and inter-jurisdictional disputes. Join us as we dissect a compelling case from Canada involving a woman who, after facing charges of forging a passport application, fled to India mid-trial, leading to her conviction in absentia. Her attempts...

Get ready to uncover the intricacies of the legal system with Michael Mulligan from Mulligan Defence Lawyers as we dissect a fascinating case of breach of trust theft. Ever wondered why embezzling from an employer gets a harsher sentence than other types of theft? This episode promises to enlighten you on the significant emphasis courts place on general deterrence, especially when trust is violate...

What happens when a wealthy business owner disappears without a trace, leaving behind a tangled web of allegations, destroyed property, and unanswered questions? Join us as we explore this real-life mystery with expert insights from barrister and solicitor Michael Mulligan of Mulligan Defence Lawyers. We journey through the intricacies of the Presumption of Death Act, examining a case where millio...

Ever wondered how a judicial recount can flip an election result on its head? Join us as Michael Mulligan, a seasoned barrister and solicitor with Mulligan Defence Lawyers, unravels the complexities of vote counting and recounts in Canadian elections. You'll gain unique insights into the procedures that follow the so-called "final count" and the very narrow margins that necessitate...

Unlock the secrets of British Columbia's electoral process as we journey through the intricacies of the Election Act with the knowledgeable Michael Mulligan from Mulligan Defence Lawyers. We'll explore how the act paves the way for an inclusive voting experience, spotlighting innovative measures like tele-assisted voting for individuals with disabilities and accommodations for voters wit...

Can you really shoot a dog to save your chickens? We unravel this legal conundrum with the expert insights of Michael Mulligan, a seasoned barrister and solicitor from Mulligan Defence Lawyers. Mulligan helps us dissect the latest criminal justice reform proposals from the BC election campaign, including the prospect of hiring more sheriffs and judges to alleviate court backlogs. Together, we weig...

What happens when a seemingly straightforward hunting trip turns into a legal conundrum over age determination and strict liability offences? Join us as we unpack the captivating case of the Massey Ram. Michael Mulligan from Mulligan Defence Lawyers sheds light on how hunters can find themselves in hot water under the Wildlife Act, and why counting horn annuli is not as straightforward as it seems...