Lexpert Roundup on the Business of Law
Lexpert identifies and reports on emerging business issues and practice areas in the business of law. Whether online, in our magazine or in the DealsWire e-newsletter, we chronicle deals and lawsuits of interest, and cover issues of broad concern to the legal profession and those who purchase legal services. We hope you enjoy this sampling of our latest content.
From the DealsWire: Hydro One, Barrick, Odyssey Investment Partners, Ritchie Bros.
The Lexpert DealsWire (subscribe here) documents facts, figures and key legal players behind recent deals. This week's announced deal spotlight features the key players and figures in Hydro One Ltd.'s $4.4-billion acquisition of US-based Avista Corp.
In our closed deals section, we look at Barrick Gold selling a 50-per-cent interest in the Veladero mine to Shandong Gold, as well as private-equity firm Odyssey Investment Partners exiting its investment in Safway.
We also look at the players behind Vancouver-based Ritchie Bros. acquiring IronPlanet for US$759-million, and the sale of Nesscap Energy's business to Maxwell Technologies.
OSC criticizes TSX for casual proxy tactic approval
The Ontario Securities Commission, in its reasons for the recent Eco Oro decision, chastises the Toronto Stock Exchange for approving a private placement that uses questionable tactics meant to block a proxy challenge.
With donations in freefall, and soaring administrative costs, a crisis was afoot for the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). One solution: an unprecedented amalgamation with Vancouver-based Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF), which was completed on February 1, 2017. Here's how the Chair and external counsel – all volunteers with personal connections to the cause – got the job done.
In-House Advisor: New Rules in Neutral Territory
Canadian corporations are increasingly using cross-border commercial arbitration as a way of resolving disputes without civil litigation. This trend is likely to continue as Canada tries to diversify its commercial relationships and depend less heavily on the US market. For in-house counsel, it raises the question of whether arbitration should be their company's default option in the event of a cross-border dispute. And if so, what arbitral conditions should be included in their contracts?
Very few lawyers enjoy budgeting for complex legal matters, and this is equally true for inside counsel and partners in law firms. But companies, especially larger ones, should consider designating one member of the law department to review and approve all complex matter budgets. This builds up expertise in the law department and pays dividends for the company.
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