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E. Bruce Mellett KC

Energy, Insurance, Professional Liability and Construction Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner 

Blair C. Yorke-Slader KC

Leading Corporate, Commercial and Energy Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Vice Chair and Partner

Canada's reputation as a politically and financially stable supplier of energy has made it both a highly desirable source of supply and an increasingly frequent investment target. The substantial commercial activity which these attributes have produced has resulted in various forms of energy related litigation, including operatorship issues, title and land concerns, competition and foreign investment challenges and accounting disagreements. It has also produced a number of litigation counsel, particularly in western Canada, who have developed considerable expertise in energy related litigation and in the workings of the energy industry. Blair C. Yorke-Slader, QC and E. Bruce Mellett, published in Legal Media Group's <em><a target="_blank" href="http://www.benchmarklitigation.com/" title="Benchmark Canada 2012">Benchmark Canada 2012</a></em>.

Energy Litigation in Canada

A pithy review of several recent appellate decisions reflecting the
balancing of societal interests, and the judicial exploration for
fairness and the true intention of the parties, in the face of
apparently plain contractual language. Originally presented at the
2010 Legal Education Society of Alberta 43rd Annual Refresher
Course (Business Law).

Freedom of Contract Revisited

An entertaining and informative history of Ponzi schemes and of extraordinary relief available to victims. Originally presented at the 2010 Legal Education Society of Alberta/Canadian Bar Association Alberta Law Conference.

Ponzi Schemes and Other Really Bad Investments

Ponzi Schemes (and Other Really Bad Investments) - and What to Do About Them

A review of principles of effective oral appellate advocacy for
practitioners. Blair Yorke-Slader and Jolaine Antonio, originally prepared for the April 2007 Legal
Education Society of Alberta (LESA) Appellate Advocacy seminar.

How to Sway the Undecided and Feel Good About It

Oral Argument - How to Sway the Undecided and Feel Good About It

Kees de Ridder

Intellectual Property Lawyer, Patent Agent and Trademark Agent at Bennett Jones Calgary

Associate, Patent Agent, Trademark Agent

Benjamin K. Reingold

Intellectual Property Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner

Stephen D. Burns

Technology Lawyer, Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner, Trademark Agent

The Supreme Court of Canada will hear Pharmascience Inc v Janssen Inc on October 9, 2025, a case that could reshape the scope of patentable subject matter in Canada. At issue is whether a dosing regimen for a pharmaceutical product constitutes an unpatentable method of medical treatment or a valid invention under the Patent Act. The Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal upheld the patent&rsquo;s validity, but Pharmascience has challenged this position. With several industry groups granted intervenor status, the case is expected to have significant implications not only for the pharmaceutical industry but also for broader questions of what qualifies as an &ldquo;invention,&rdquo; including computer-implemented and AI-related technologies.

Supreme Court to Assess Subject Matter Eligibility in Canadian

Supreme Court to Assess Subject Matter Eligibility in Canadian Patent Law: Implications Beyond the Pharmaceutical Context

AI is transforming performance marketing through hyper-personalization, automated content creation, and data-driven insights&mdash;enhancing efficiency while raising new legal and ethical considerations for brands.

The Implications of AI on Performance Marketing

Sean Zweig

Restructuring, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Andrew Froh

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Associate

James Atkinson

Articling Student at Bennett Jones 

Articling Student          

A recent decision of the US Bankruptcy Court in Re: Iovate Health Sciences International Inc. provides important insights for Canadian companies involved in cross-border restructurings. The case addresses how debtor companies can rebut the presumption that their &ldquo;center of main interests&rdquo; (COMI) is located at their registered office when seeking Chapter 15 recognition in the United States. Chief Judge Glenn reaffirmed that COMI is determined by a non-exhaustive set of factors, including management, assets, creditors and creditor expectations, and may also be influenced by pre-filing restructuring activities.

Trend Watch Determining COMI in US Chapter 15 Proceedings

Trend Watch: Determining COMI in US Chapter 15 Proceedings

Dom Sorbara

Banking & Financial Services Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Elizabeth K. Dylke

Corporate and Private Funds Lawyer

James G. Morand

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

This edition of the PE Briefing examines private equity developments in the third quarter of 2025, including trends in Canadian and global deal activity, the continued growth and complexity of private credit, Ontario&rsquo;s advantages as a jurisdiction for non-US flow-through vehicles, and practical considerations in the drafting of earnouts.

The Q3 2025 PE Briefing

David J. Wahl, FCIArb

Construction Arbitration & Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Brian P. Reid

Litigation, Construction, Joint Venture Agreement and Builder's Lien Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Aly Parth

Articling Student at Bennett Jones in Calgary 

Articling Student 

The Alberta Court of Appeal&rsquo;s decision in Tempo v. Man-Shield confirms that equitable set-off is a true defence capable of precluding summary judgment in construction disputes. The ruling emphasizes that where claims and cross-claims are inseparably connected, courts must account for both to avoid unjust outcomes. This case provides important guidance for contractors, subcontractors and counsel navigating payment disputes and litigation strategy in the construction sector<br />

Appellate Advocacy Seminar for Legal Education Society of Alberta (LESA)

Authors


Bennett Jones Speaking Engagement Appellate Advocacy Seminar for Legal Education Society of Alberta (LESA) April 10, 2007 Authors Blair C. Yorke-Slader KCVice Chair and Partner Blair Yorke-Slader was a featured panellist speaking on Oral and Written Advocacy at the Legal Education Society of Alberta (LESA) Appellate Advocacy seminar. Share by Email Social Media Download Download Subscribe Republishing Requests For permission to republish this or any other publication, contact Amrita Kochhar at kochhara@bennettjones.com. For informational purposes only This publication provides an overview of legal trends and updates for informational purposes only. For personalized legal advice, please contact the authors. Authors Blair C. Yorke-Slader KC, Vice Chair and Partner Calgary • 403.298.3291 • yorkesladerb@bennettjones.com