News
John Trueman and Katelyn Chaudhary win property assessment appeal involving Galiano Island forest land
AMLC lawyer John Trueman and articled student Katelyn Chaudhary successfully represented a managed forest land owner on Galiano Island in an appeal against a decision of the BC Property Assessment Appeal Board. The landowner had a 960 square foot unfinished dwelling on his 90-acre property, which he used and slept in while managing the forest. The assessor had classified the land beneath the dwelling as “residential,” thus depriving the landowner of the preferential tax treatment afforded to private managed forest land owners.
On appeal, the BC Supreme Court held that the landowner’s use of the dwelling to further the production and harvesting of forest resources on his property was sufficient to maintain the managed forest land classification. The Board had fallen into error by imposing additional requirements, such as considering whether a dwelling was “required” to manage the forest, or whether it was “integrally related” to the production or harvesting of forest resources.
Articled student Katelyn Chaudhary, making legal submissions in court for the first time in her career, successfully argued that the Board failed to properly consider the actual road and water distances involved in transporting logs from Galiano Island to the nearest sawmill.
For many years, AMLC lawyers have defended the rights of private managed forest owners on Galiano Island to live on their properties, just as many farmers live on their farms. This decision reinforces the principle that managed forest land owners should not lose that classification when they have a dwelling they use to help manage the forest.
To read the decision, visit 2024 BCSC 561. For more information on Allen / McMillan’s real estate litigation practice, please contact Wes McMillan at wes@amlc.ca or John Trueman at john@amlc.ca.
Articling student, Vivian Li, returns to AMLC
AMLC is pleased to welcome back to the team its newest articling student, Vivian Li. Vivian summered at AMLC before graduating from UBC and showed herself to be extremely capable and motivated. During her time at law school she volunteered as a peer tutor and mentor to first-year law students. Vivian will complete her articles with the firm from May 21, 2024 to May 20, 2025.
We are excited to have Vivian rejoin our team!
Congratulations to AMLC’s Mia Stewart on being called to the bar!
Congratulations to Mia Stewart who was called to the British Columbia bar on May 21, 2024, just prior to her first appearance at the Supreme Court of Canada. Mia obtained her law degree from the Schulich School of Law, during which she worked at the Dalhousie Legal Aid Service. She joined AMLC as an articling student in May 2023, and we are excited for her to stay on as an associate!
Allen / McMillan appearing at the Supreme Court of Canada in May 2024
On May 21 and 22, 2024, Greg, Alex, and Mia will be appearing at the Supreme Court of Canada in Ontario (Attorney General) v Working Families Coalition (Canada) Inc, a case involving the impact of electoral spending regulations on citizens’ right to meaningfully participate in the democratic process under section 3 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Our team will be representing the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, and providing the Supreme Court of Canada with a submission on the history of how of section 3 of the Charter has been interpreted, and the importance of contextual factors in assessing the application of the section 3 right.
For those who enjoy both constitutional rights and early mornings, the hearing will be streamed live through the Supreme Court of Canada’s website.
For more information on Allen / McMillan’s pro bono public law practice, please contact Greg at greg@amlc.ca.
AMLC, Kaitlyn, Greg and Wes are being recognized in the 13th edition of Benchmark Litigation Canada!
Congratulations to AMLC, Kaitlyn, Greg, and Wes for being recognized by Benchmark Litigation Canada! Kaitlyn is being recognized as a “Future Star” for the first time, and Greg and Wes have both been highlighted as “Benchmark Litigation Stars.” This 13th edition is identifying them as preeminent litigation practitioners in Canada based on Benchmark’s research. In addition,
AMLC is being recognized as a “Recommended Firm.” 2024 is the second year in a row that we’ve been awarded this honour.
Kaitlyn, Greg, Wes, and the team are honoured to be recognized again this year!
The 13th edition of Benchmark Litigation Canada is now available online at www.benchmarklitigation.com. Benchmark Litigation is a definitive guide to the world's leading litigation law firms and lawyers.
Summer student, Noah Faust-Robinson, joins AMLC
AMLC is excited to welcome our new summer student, Noah Faust-Robinson, who will be starting with us on April 29, 2024! Noah is a second-year law student at the University of Victoria. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a major in writing and previously worked for the BC Ministry of Health. Outside of his studies, Noah plays the trumpet and runs ultra-marathons.
We’re happy to welcome Noah to the team!