Expertise
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Practice Areas:
- Bar Admissions:
- Education:
- University of Toronto (2002) LLB (Honours Standing)
- McGill University (1999) BA (Honours - Political Science and History)
Details
- Bio
- Cases
- Associations
- Blog Posts
- News & Media
- Publications & Presentations
- Recognition
Rebecca Jones (she/her)
"Rebecca is an exceptional litigator. She is highly sophisticated and a great communicator. Her work is of the highest calibre." — Chambers Canada
Rebecca is an experienced trial and appellate lawyer. She represents private and public sector clients in public law proceedings, commercial disputes, class actions, and professional liability matters. Rebecca’s public law practice includes judicial reviews, public inquiries, integrity investigations, constitutional and regulatory proceedings, and expropriation disputes. She acts for governments, public institutions and senior public officials, as well as individuals and corporations navigating the regulatory landscape or involved in disputes or investigations with public entities.
Rebecca’s commercial and class action practice covers a range of industries, including natural resources, transportation and professional services. In her professional liability practice, Rebecca has acted for professionals and for regulatory Colleges, and has been retained to act as independent counsel. Rebecca is also retained to conduct complex workplace investigations.
Rebecca appears before all levels of court in Ontario, and as counsel in commercial arbitrations. She is a trusted advisor, who provides strategic advice to clients facing complex legal problems.
Rebecca co-leads the firm’s Public Law Practice Group, and co-chairs the firm’s Pro Bono Committee. She is also a regular speaker on numerous subjects including trial practice and professional liability and regulation.
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Public Order Emergency Commission
Counsel to Former Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly in a Judicial Inquiry into the circumstances that led to the declaration of emergency that was in place from February 14-23, 2022, and the measures taken for dealing with the emergency.
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Annapolis Group v Halifax Regional Municipality
Counsel to the plaintiff in an action concerning alleged de facto expropriation, misfeasance in public office, and unjust enrichment relating to the plaintiff’s efforts to develop its lands within the Halifax Regional Municipality. Successfully represented the plaintiff at the Supreme Court of Canada with the Court clarifying the test for de facto expropriation and concluding that our client’s claim for de facto expropriation could proceed to trial.
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Counsel to the successful defendant physician in a trial in which the patient alleged delay in the diagnosis of lymphoma and insufficient pain management. The trial judge reinforced that a “worst first” principle (that physicians must take action based on the worst possible potential outcome) is not the law in Ontario and a stepwise approach to diagnosis is appropriate.
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Counsel to a patent prosecution firm regarding a threatened negligence claim, which was promptly settled.
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Counsel to the Defendant barristers and solicitors in an action claiming damages of over $12 million arising from a dental equipment supply agreement. The plaintiffs alleged breach of fiduciary duties and negligence. At trial, nominal damages of only $2,000 were awarded.
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The Mangrove Partners Master Fund v TransAlta Corporation
Counsel to the directors of TransAlta Corporation in an oppression claim brought by a significant shareholder.
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Inquiry of the Office of the Integrity Commissioner re: The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
Counsel to senior public official summonsed as part of the Integrity Commissioner’s inquiry relating to the appointment of Ron Taverner as Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police.
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Faas v Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation
Counsel to the respondent Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation in an application and appeal by a donor to have an investigation conducted by the Public Guardian and Trustee into how the Foundation had used his donation. The Foundation was successful in resisting the relief sought at the application stage, and in having that decision upheld at the Court of Appeal for Ontario.
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Long-Term Care Homes Public Inquiry
Commission Counsel to the Public Inquiry into the safety and security of residents in the Long-Term Care Homes System.
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Cardinal v Cleveland Indians Baseball Company
Counsel for Douglas Cardinal in proceedings to restrain the use in Canada of the Cleveland baseball team's name and logo on human rights grounds.
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The Advocates' Society
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Medico-Legal Society of Toronto - Member of Council (2015-2017)
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Canadian Bar Association
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Practical Law Canada (Thomson Reuters) - Advisory Board Member (Commercial Litigation)
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Ontario Bar Association
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Lenczner Slaght Pro Bono Committee - Chair
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Private Practice and the Duties of Tribunal Counsel
A recent decision of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) provides rare guidance on the issues that can arise when counsel to an administrative tribunal enters private practice and begins to advise parties to matters before the tribunal. In Certain Container Chassis, the CITT rejected a motion seeking to remove counsel to a complainant because counsel had recently been employed by the Tribunal.
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The Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act and the National Concern Doctrine: A Rights-Based Approach?
Over the past two days, the Supreme Court of Canada heard appeals from decisions of the Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario Courts of Appeal on the constitutionality of the federal government’s Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (the “GGPPA” or the “Act”).
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The Federal Court of Appeal has affirmed the constitutionality of Canada’s federal anti-spam legislation (“CASL”) in 3510395 Canada Inc v Canada (Attorney General), on both federalism and Charter grounds.
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In recent years, aggrieved candidates have not had much luck seeking relief against their political parties in court. Courts have held that because unincorporated associations, such as political parties, do not exercise public authority, they are not subject to public law remedies like judicial review.
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In the season of giving the Supreme Court of Canada has given lawyers and legal scholars the greatest gift of all: a new approach to the standard of review.
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The UKSC’s Prorogation Ruling and Its Implications for Public Law
On September 24, 2019, the United Kingdom Supreme Court released a historic decision nullifying the recent prorogation of Parliament obtained on the advice of the British Prime Minister. The implications of the decision are potentially far-reaching as a matter of public law, even though the Court took pains to describe its decision as a “one off.”
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In 2018, Parliament passed the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (the “Act”). The Act applies in provinces and territories that have not implemented sufficiently stringent carbon pricing mechanisms regarding greenhouse gas (“GHG”). Part 1 of the Act imposes a regulatory charge on carbon-based fuels; it applies, subject to several rules and exceptions, to fuels produced, delivered, used, distributed, or imported (“Fuel Charge”). Part 2 of the Act establishes a regulatory trading system applicable to large industrial GHG emitters. A credit is given to those who operate within their emissions’ limit. A charge is imposed on those who exceed it (“Excess Emissions Charge”).
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The Scope for Governance: The Broad Immunity for Core Policy Decisions from Civil Action
When is the government entitled to act without the possibility of liability or subsequent second-guessing by the Courts? That was the very issue in a recent decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal that upheld a lower court’s decision striking out a misfeasance in public office claim against the Ontario Government relating to the 2015 decision to privatize Hydro One.
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Imperfect Information on Summary Judgment
In a recent pair of decisions in a solicitor-negligence action, Superior Court Justices Charney and Boswell confirmed that causation must be proved, not assumed – even on summary judgment motions.
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Late-Breaking Expert Reports: Deadlines and Prejudice
When will considerations of prejudice trump strict adherence to time requirements in the submission of expert reports?
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Lenczner Slaght’s Litigation Excellence Recognized in 2023 Lexpert Directory
Following comprehensive peer review surveys and interviews with senior members in the legal profession, the 2023 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory has recognized 31 of the firm’s expert litigators for their experience, knowledge, and precision, with 108 rankings spanning 17 practice areas.
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Lenczner Slaght Recognized Among Canada’s Leading Litigation Lawyers
Following an in-depth peer review process, the 2022 Lexpert Special Edition: Canada's Leading Litigation Lawyers guide recognizes 15 Lenczner Slaght lawyers for their extensive courtroom experience and subject-matter expertise. We know courts, and courts know and trust us. That is why clients turn to us to solve their most complex legal problems.
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Lenczner Slaght Successful for Annapolis at Supreme Court of Canada
In Annapolis Group Inc. v Halifax Regional Municipality, our expert litigators were successful at the Supreme Court of Canada in reversing a decision of the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal granting summary judgment against Annapolis Group Inc. (“Annapolis”). The Supreme Court of Canada concluded that Annapolis’ claim for de facto expropriation (or, “constructive taking”, the term preferred by the majority of the Supreme Court) could proceed to trial. Peter Griffin, Scott Rollwagen, Rebecca Jones and Amy Sherrard were counsel to Annapolis Group, the successful appellant.
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SCC Takes Expansive Approach to Regulatory ‘Constructive Taking’ Claims Against Public Authorities
The Lawyer's Daily discussed the SCC's decision in Annapolis Group Inc. v Halifax Regional Municipality. As counsel to the successful appellant, Peter Griffin, Scott Rollwagen, Rebecca Jones, and Amy Sherrard are mentioned in the article.
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Lenczner Slaght Ranked Band 1 in Chambers Canada for 5th Consecutive Year
Canada’s leading litigation firm and its expert litigators continue to be recognized in the latest edition of world-renowned directory, Chambers & Partners.
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Lenczner Slaght Litigators Recognized Among the Best Lawyers in Canada
In the latest edition of Best Lawyers in Canada, 39 of our expert litigators are recognized by their peers for their expertise across 24 practice areas.
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The 2022 Lexpert Directory Recognizes Lenczner Slaght’s Litigation Excellence
31 of our expert litigators are recognized by their peers as the foremost practitioners across 18 fields.
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Lexpert Recognizes Lenczner Slaght’s Litigation Expertise
Following an in-depth peer review process, the 2021 Lexpert Special Edition: Canada's Leading Litigation Lawyers guide recognizes 19 Lenczner Slaght lawyers for their extensive courtroom experience and subject-matter expertise.
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Chambers Canada Recognizes Lenczner Slaght’s Litigation Excellence
Canada’s leading litigation firm and its expert litigators continue to advance their position in the latest edition of world-renowned directory, Chambers & Partners.
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Lenczner Slaght Litigators Ranked Among Best Lawyers in Canada
In the latest edition of Best Lawyers in Canada, 37 of our expert litigators are recognized for their expertise across 25 practice areas.
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Dealing With Difficult Counsel
Rebecca Jones was invited to speak on The Advocates' Society's program titled "Dealing With Difficult Counsel". Rebecca spoke on the panel Managing Difficult Counsel Outside the Courtroom.
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Vavilov in the age of the autocrat: Law as power that justifies itself
Scott Rollwagen and Rebecca Jones co-authored the article "Vavilov in the age of the autocrat: Law as power that justifies itself", which appeared in the Fall 2020 Issue of The Advocates' Journal.
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Prosecuting and Defending Professional Discipline Cases 2020
Rebecca Jones shared her expertise at OsgoodePD's webcast program Prosecuting and Defending Professional Discipline Cases 2020. She presented on how to navigate examinations, interviews and inquiries.
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Prosecuting and Defending Professional Discipline Cases
Rebecca Jones presented at OsgoodePD's Prosecuting and Defending Professional Discipline Cases program. Her panel provided tips and strategies on navigating a client through examinations, interviews and inquiries during the investigation phase of professional discipline cases.
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Rebecca Jones was a member of faculty at The Osgoode Certificate in Health Law program. Rebecca shared her expertise on Causation Basics in medical malpractice actions.
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Evidence Essentials for Litigators
Rebecca Jones spoke at the Law Society of Ontario's program Evidence Essentials for Litigators. She co-presented on the topic "Ethical Issues".
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Civil Litigation Skills Certificate Program: Evidence for Litigators
Rebecca Jones spoke at the Advocates' Society's Civil Litigation Skills Certificate Program. She shared her litigation expertise on the panel Hearsay, Privilege and Objections at Trial.
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Medical Malpractice: Theory and Practice
Rebecca Jones was a member of faculty at The Osgoode Certificate in Health Law program. She spoke on "Medical Malpractice: Theory and Practice" which provided a key insight into the adversarial process in malpractice litigation and causation basics.
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Privacy, Security and Risk Management in Health Care
Rebecca Jones was a member of faculty at The Osgoode Certificate in Health Law program. She shared her expertise on the panel Privacy, Security and Risk Management in Health Care, which provided an overview of the law relating to the privacy of health information.
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Leading Your Case: Opening Statements and Exam-in-chief
Rebecca Jones spoke at the Advocates' Society's program on strengthening your case through powerful and effective opening statements, and comprehensive examinaions-in-chief.
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Chambers Canada (2022-2023)
Litigation: Administrative & Public Law (Ontario)
Healthcare: Contentious (Nationwide – Canada) -
Lexpert Special Edition: Canada's Leading Litigation Lawyers (2019-2022)
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Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (2015-2023)
Litigation - Corporate Commercial, Litigation - Regulatory & Public Law, Medical Negligence, Professional Liability
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Best Lawyers in Canada (2014-2023)
Administrative and Public Law, Corporate & Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law, Medical Negligence
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Benchmark Canada (2017-2022)
Litigation Star – Class Action, Competition, Product Liability
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Benchmark Litigation (2017)
Under 40 Hotlist
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Best Lawyers in Canada (2023)
Toronto "Lawyer of the Year" in Medical Negligence
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Lexpert Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-border Litigation Lawyers in Canada (2016)
Litigation Lawyers to Watch
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Lexpert Rising Stars (2015)
Leading Lawyers Under 40
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Lexpert Special Edition: Canada's Leading Health Sciences Lawyers (2021)