Practice Areas
At Crease Harman our experienced team of lawyers provide comprehensive legal advice and representation in relation to many areas of the law.
Please select one of the areas of practice below to learn more about the focus of the different lawyers at Crease Harman.
Administrative Law
Experienced Crease Harman lawyers provide legal advice and representation in relation to all aspects of Administrative Law.
Peter Klassen has extensive experience in litigation matters before Provincial tribunals, such as the Labour Relations Board, Workers Compensation Board, and the Assessment Appeal Board. Mr. Klassen has also sat as an arbitrator, adjudicator and referee on employment and non-employment related matters.
David Houston has appeared before a variety of Provincial tribunals including the Labour Relations Board, Assessment Appeal Board, Workers Compensation Board, Liquor License Adjudications, Residential Tenancy Branch, Passenger Transportation Board, Human Rights Tribunals (Federal & Provincial) and appeals from these tribunals.
Bruce Hallsor has appeared before the Assessment Appeal Board, the Employment Insurance Board of Referees, Workers Compensation Appeals Tribunal, Residential Tenancy Arbitration panels, and has successfully appealed administrative law decisions to the BC Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. Mr. Hallsor is a current member of the City of Victoria Municipal Board of Variance.
Michael McGregor has appeared as counsel in Residential Tenancy Act arbitrations, before the Human Rights Tribunal and as a member of the Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits Appeals Tribunal and Employment Standards Branch Tribunal.
Moses Watson currently sits as a panel member on the Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits Appeals Tribunal and has appeared before the Assessment Appeal Board and Residential Tenancy Board.
Banking and Commercial Finance
Crease Harman has acted as Approved Solicitors for the Bank of Montreal and Approved Commercial Solicitors for the Royal Bank of Canada for over 40 years, drafting and advising the Banks with respect to commercial mortgages and secured loan transactions. In addition, the lawyers of Crease Harman have acted for many years as Approved Senior Solicitors with respect to commercial mortgages and secured transactions for HSBC Bank Canada.
Crease Harman are also approved solicitors for a number of other institutional lenders. The firm also acts as agent for out of province law firms, providing such services as advising, preparing and registering documents, and rendering opinions with respect to secured commercial loan transactions in the Province of British Columbia.
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The following lawyers practice in the field of Banking and Commercial Finance:
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Civil Litigation
Crease Harman's team of litigators enjoys a well deserved reputation as a force to be reckoned with. The team holds a consistent record of success before all levels of court with jurisdiction in British Columbia, from B.C. Provincial Court to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Often the best way to resolve a dispute, however, is to settle outside of the courtroom. Whenever it may be advantageous for our clients, our litigators utilize alternative dispute resolution methods, including negotiation, mediation and arbitration. Backed by Crease Harman’s seasoned litigators, our clients have a strong bargaining position.
Our team of litigators is experienced in all aspects of civil litigation and can help you or your organization resolve your civil dispute, whatever its nature.
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The following lawyers practice in the field of Civil Litigation:
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Corporate, Commercial and Business Law
Complex corporate transactions require a combination of legal, business and practical knowledge. Crease Harman has provided strategic legal advice to leading British Columbia businesses for over one-hundred-and-twenty years. Our corporate law group has developed a wealth of experience in all facets of corporate and business law.
Our areas of practice in corporate and commercial law cover a full range of business transactions including:
- incorporation of companies
- the establishment of partnerships
- drafting of shareholder agreements
- purchase and sale of businesses
- negotiations and legal advice for sales and acquisitions
- developing legal forms and contracts
- advising respecting negotiation of land and commercial leases for landlords and tenants
- commercial loan transactions
- advising respecting commercial financing
- equipment acquisitions
- family transition and estate planning
- franchising
- leasing and financing agreements
- regulatory compliance
- reorganizations
Our Corporate Law Group has participated in the negotiation and closing of numerous mergers, amalgamations and acquisitions. From large provincial corporations to smaller entrepreneurial firms, we advise leading companies in a variety of industries.
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The following lawyers practice in the field of Corporate, Commercial and Business Law:
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Employment & Labour Law
Our Labour & Employment lawyers work closely with public and private employers in both union and non-union settings. At Crease Harman we help businesses anticipate, prevent and resolve employment disputes, navigate the complex world of employment regulation and defend employers in court and before all applicable administrative agencies.
We also represent the interests of employees in all aspects of their employment relationships from negotiating employment contracts to pursuing fair compensation and severance when the employment relationship has ended.
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Environmental Law
Bruce Hallsor assists clients in both the private and public sectors in reviewing compliance, developing environmental management systems, and completing remediation projects in British Columbia.
Landlord and Tenant Law
Landlord-tenant laws can have an affect on both the person who is leasing and the person who is renting the property. Typically, landlord-tenant disputes revolve around property and contract laws and a landlord tenant lease dispute may occur. The typical disputes between a landlord and a tenant revolve around the lease agreement, paying rent on time and damage to property. Crease Harman offers a full range of legal services under this heading including:
- Lease and rental agreements
- Commercial Lease agreements
- Lease terminations and evictions
- Landlord and Tenant disputes
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Expropriation and Valuation Law
For land owners facing expropriation or the prospect of expropriation we provide not only legal advice but assistance in all facets of the process including negotiation, identification and retainer of experts, options for challenging the decision to expropriate and conduct of the entire litigation process.
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Human Rights Law
Crease Harman Labour and Employment lawyers are actively engaged in all areas of the law including Human Rights. Our lawyers have experience appearing before a number of administrative tribunals that apply employment-related statutes including the Human Rights Tribunal, the Employment Standards Tribunal, Workers’ Compensation Appeal Tribunal, and the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.
Crease Harman also takes on matters before the Human Rights Tribunal that relate to discrimination based on race, religion, sex, political opinion and nationality.
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Legal Research and Writing
All Crease Harman lawyers prepare legal opinions, pleadings, factums, and briefs on a variety of matters arising from corporate transactions and complex litigation. Our knowledgeable and experienced research lawyers prepare arguments and submissions for tribunals and all levels of courts.
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Estates, Wills & Trusts Law
Succession, Tax Planning, Wealth Preservation and Fiduciary Relationships
Crease Harman provides comprehensive legal advice in the above areas of law including Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney, Representation Agreements for Health Care and Inter Vivos Trusts to ensure your wishes are carried out and to ensure that all financial and taxation considerations are addressed to your advantage.
Should contentious issues arise with respect to those areas of the law our legal team will assist you in negotiating a resolution to such issues or taking part in the litigation process if necessary.
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Succession, Tax Planning, Wealth Preservation and Fiduciary Relationships
Estate planning involves issues of asset ownership, protection, and distribution, both during life and upon death. Client needs are varying and may include a requirement to provide for family members, planning for incapacity, minimization of income taxes and probate fees, mitigating concerns of possible Wills Variation Act claims, protecting against risks of legal claims by various parties or tax-effective charitable giving.
An effective estate plan is a legal strategy that ensures personal objectives concerning the administration and succession to his or her wealth are implemented in a tax efficient manner.
Ensuring that your wealth is maximized and used for the things that are important to you requires careful planning. We provide ideas, advice and implementation on a wide range of legal topics including business succession, estate and incapacity planning, tax and trust planning, risk management, and charitable gift planning.
Our services include:
- Estate Planning including liaising with investment, accounting and other advisors
- Wills
- Creation, variation and maintenance of trusts including family trusts and alter ego trusts
- Estate administration
- Making provisions for disabled children or relatives
- Establishment of Charitable Foundations
- Powers of Attorney/Representation and other fiduciary relationships
- Agreements/Living Wills
- Succession planning for family businesses
- state freezes, including corporate reorganizations and other corporate structures
Crease Harman solicitors provide experienced legal counsel to clients on all matters relating to the creation of an effective estate plan, wealth preservation strategy and the appropriate fiduciary relationships.
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Family Law and Mediation
Family law disputes are inevitably frought with emotion. Whether you are involved in negotiating a marriage or co-habitation agreement at the beginning of or during a relationship, or are embroiled in a dispute with an estranged spouse or family member, you need experienced, caring and objective counsel on your side.
Crease Harman will prepare your prenuptial, co-habitation, marriage and separation agreements with your best interests and legal rights in mind. If a dispute arises and a negotiated or mediated settlement cannot be reached, we will represent your interests in separation, divorce, custody, guardianship, access, maintenance (spousal support) and property division proceedings in both B.C. Supreme Court and Provincial Court.
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The following lawyers practice in Family Law and Mediation:
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Municipal Law
Crease Harman offers comprehensive advice and expertise in relation to all forms of municipal law including:
- severances, minor variances, non-conforming uses and other permissions
- development permits
- subdivision and site plan agreements
- development agreements
- cost sharing agreements
- by-law approvals and appeals
- lobbying for legislative change
- property tax planning
- municipal by-law interpretation and litigation
- municipal law opinions
- licencing matters
- building, occupancy and other permits, and appeals arising therefrom including judicial review
- Building Code, Fire Code and other code defences
- representation before tribunals and courts
- appearances before municipal councils and committees
- construction and project management agreements
- operation and management agreements
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The following lawyers practice in the field of Municipal Law:
As of December, 2011, Lorena Staples Q.C. and Crease Harman will carry on a referral relationship. Incidental to this relationship with Ms. Staples, Crease Harman clients have access to top level advice and support in dealing with municipal government. |
Personal Injury Law & ICBC Claims
If you have been injured because of the negligence of another person, you deserve to be compensated for your pain, suffering, inconvenience, out of pocket expenses, loss of income and other damages. Even what seems like a minor injury can have a major impact on many aspects of your life and the lives of your loved ones.
Crease Harman barristers have resolved scores of lawsuits by way of settlement or trial and obtained millions of dollars in compensation for their clients for personal injury claims involving:
- motor vehicle accidents (ICBC claims)
- occupiers liability
- medical malpractice
- wrongful deaths
- slips and falls
- product liability
- sexual assault including historical sexual assault
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The following lawyers practice in the field of Personal Injury Law:
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Property Valuation & Assessment Law
Counsel at Crease Harman have extensive experience in all matters relating to property assessment, valuation and taxation. Having been active in these areas of practice since the inception of the British Columbia Assessment Authority in 1974, Crease Harman has been counsel in hundreds of assessment appeals before the Property Assessment Review Panel through to the British Columbia Court of Appeal.
Crease Harman has been involved in the determination of the proper assessment for all types of properties from single family residential and hotel, office and commercial buildings to utilities and large industrial developments such as coal mines, pulp mills and forest lands.
Over the decades, counsel from Crease Harman have been instrumental in the development of the case law of property assessment in British Columbia and bring unique experience to our clients in these areas.
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The following lawyers practice in the field of Property Valuation & Assessment Law:
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Real Estate and Mortgage Law
Crease Harman has over one-hundred-and-twenty years of experience in dealing with real property issues in British Columbia. Our offices have expertise in all areas of real property including:
- residential & commercial conveyancing
- institutional & private mortgages
- leasehold residential & commercial properties
- subdivision & consolidation of lands
- contracts for purchase, sale & lease of property
- property development including strata property development
Our litigation department also has expertise in matters such as expropriation law, nuisance and municipal law relating to land use issues.
Crease Harman is retained by many land development firms, chartered banks and governmental authorities to advise them on land issues.
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The following lawyers practice in the fields of Real Estate and Mortgage Law:
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Tax Law
Crease Harman offers tax planning advice to clients relating to income tax, HST and other excise taxes and property taxes.
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The following lawyer practices in the field of Tax Law:
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Insolvency and Bankruptcy Law
Crease Harman’s corporate solicitors advise businesses, lenders, shareholders, directors, receivers and trustees on all manner of debtor/creditor issues and assist clients through formal or informal insolvency proceedings or debt restructurings. Crease Harman lawyers have the acumen to craft and implement practical and cost-effective solutions for clients. Whether negotiating forbearance arrangements or workout plans, collecting indebtedness and realizing on security or guiding a debtor or creditor through a reorganization under the Companies Creditors' Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, Crease Harman brings to bear experience and a reputation for solid, timely and practical advice.
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The following lawyers practice in the field of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Law
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