Design Law – Lawyer for Architects and Interior Designers

Rules Governing Architects and Interior DesignersArchitectsThe Ontario Association of Architects (the "OAA") governs services between architects and users. The OAA's Code of Ethics establishes guidelines that Architects must follow when providing services. These should be reflected in Architects' service agreements, which we can assist in drafting as business lawyers. Typically, architectural services include:the preparation or provision of a design to govern the construction, enlargement, or alteration of a building;evaluating, advising on or reporting on the construction, enlargement, or alteration of a building;a general review of the construction, enlargement, or alteration of a building;planning, urban design, and land-use planning;creating preliminary studies,...

17 April

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Buying a Medical Practice In Ontario

Posted by Rana Charif

in Business Law

Only licensed physicians can purchase a medical practice.Although buying a medical practice may be a safer financial decision, there may be some major adaptations required to continue the process successfully. Buyers are likely required to adapt to current practices and cultures or risk losing patients and staff.From a legal perspective, purchasing a medical practice requires fundamentally the same core steps as other business purchases: Due diligence is the rule of thumb.First Things First: Confidentiality & Non-Disclosure AgreementAlthough some practitioners may wish to shortcut the sale and purchase process and rely solely on a written agreement to complete...

23 November

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Partnership Agreements: What You Need To Know

Posted by Rana Charif

in Business Law

BASICSA Partnership Agreement is an agreement between parties to provide for the terms of a business partnership between partners. Could be more than two. The agreement would typically govern capital contributions, management of the business venture, distribution of profits between partners and loss.NECESSITYI ALWAYS recommend and encourage clients to put any commitment in writing. Colloquially, "talk is cheap". However, when parties put commitments and promises in writing, then sign it, you have your evidence at the tip of your fingers. Although a valid contract may be oral, it is very challenging to prove. As a lawyer, I would happily...

05 August

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Make Money With Your Intellectual Property – Small Business Lawyer Toronto

Posted by Rana Charif

in Business Law

According to Statistics Canada Surveys on Financing and Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises, Businesses that manage their intellectual Property are: four times more likely to export, sixty four percent more likely to be high growth and thirty two percent more likely to seek financing.Intellectual property ("IP") is when expressions of intellectual or creative pursuits are treated in legal and social spheres as property, with all its resulting implications (e.g., ownership, use, economic transactions, etc.), see here. Some examples of intellectual property are:inventions, such as products and processesthe original visual features of a productliterary, artistic, dramatic and musical creationsexpressed words,...

19 July

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What is an Asset Purchase? When to opt for it.

Posted by Rana Charif

in Business Law

When looking to invest or grow a business, a common investment strategy is the purchase of another business's shares or assets. Another option is statutory amalgamations which will be discussed in another blog post.Share Purchase TransactionsShare Purchase Transactions, on the one hand, represent approximately 65% of private equity acquisitions in Canada. A "Share Purchase Transaction" is when a buyer buys some or all of a company’s shares. In a partial share sale (less than 100% of the shares), the buyer will become a shareholder alongside the other shareholders of the company. From a legal conveyancing perspective, the simple delivery...

06 April

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Does a valid Contract have to be in writing?

Posted by Rana Charif

in Business Law, Employment Law, Litigation

The simple answer is: no.A contract is an agreement. It is legally defined as a "meeting of the minds". If you can prove that there is a meeting of the minds, you have proof of a contract.A meeting of the minds is when two parties agree to the same basic elements. Those elements are:Making an offer and accepting that same offer. The offer must be specific enough so as to discern what exactly is being offered, when, and for what value in exchange (point number 2 below) ; An exchange of value that is agreed upon (e.g. services, money, goods...