Law Blog

In administrative law, the traditional wisdom is that discretion cannot create law. It must operate within parameters set out by statute or binding policy. Where a public authority acts outside those parameters, it risks legal excess – and the courts, through judicial review, are tasked with redrawing the limits. But is this always true in […]

In recent years, the Court of Appeal has adopted a clear trend of reversing judgments of the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal (EPRT), primarily based on what it identifies as erroneous legal interpretations of applicable planning policies. Still, with some exception, numerous EPRT decisions have been annulled not due to direct breaches of policy wording […]

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) in legal composition has sparked considerable interest. AI-driven platforms provide tools to refine language, enhance coherence, and standardize tone, benefits that many legal professionals have embraced. Recent discussions at legal technology conferences underscore the imperative for attorneys to adopt AI to boost efficiency and maintain competitiveness in the evolving […]

In recent years, a growing number of development permits have been annulled by the courts. This pattern has not gone unnoticed, prompting reflection among academics, developers, NGOs, policymakers, public authorities, and the media alike. What lies behind these judicial reversals? A wide array of legal issues can lead to the revocation of a permit. However, […]

COVID was not something we want back, but one good thing for sure emerged: the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal’s (EPRT) rapid shift to electronic processes. The EPRT has long been recognized for its procedural flexibility, operating with the principle that “in the absence of any rules on any matter, the Tribunal may regulate its […]