Last week, I, among many of my colleagues, had the opportunity to attend the OBA’s annual Evening with Estate Judges event, put on by the OBA’s Estate and Trusts section, chaired by Matthew Furrow and Angela Casey.

This event is an annual favourite at Hull & Hull LLP where we get to not only mingle with our fellow colleagues, but we get to hear directly from the Estate list judges on an array of topics.

This year did not disappoint, with The Honourable Justice Gilmore, Justice Dietrich and Justice Faieta sharing their insights.

• As we know, the Estate list judges are extremely busy, with their days booked back-to-back. Counsel were encouraged to not book placeholder scheduling appointments, limiting such bookings to only when the appointment is required;
• Scheduling appointments should remain for scheduling and non-complex consent matters. Even if a matter is on consent, but will require some review of material and submissions (such as a guardianship application), counsel were asked to book such matters for a 10:00am appearance;
• Counsel were reminded that vesting orders under the Estate Administration Act are not to be used as a means to avoid probate fees;
• Counsel were encouraged to review the many recent decisions dealing with s. 21.1 of the Succession Law Reform Act for insights on how and when this section should be used;
• Counsel were reminded to hyperlink their materials and ensure that they are uploaded in a timely manner – if they are uploaded late, there is a high risk the judge will not have time to review the materials in advance of your appearance;
• The judges will be looking for the confirmation form, the participant information form and an aide memoire. It is also helpful to have prior endorsements and orders uploaded so that the judges can have a quick review of what has happened in the matter, and
• Counsel were reminded that the court continues to look for volunteers to act as amicus curiae. Anyone who is interested in volunteering should contact Matthew Rendely at mrendely@LN.Law

The evening was a great success, and we thank The Honourable Justice Dietrich, Justice Gilmore and Justice Faieta for spending the evening with the Bar, as well as the organizers of the event!

Thanks for reading!