As of June 15, 2012 Peter Bernard, Q.C. has retired from the practice of law. Nonetheless, Peter will continue to sit as a member of the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada and is available to serve as an arbitrator or mediator. We wish Peter all the best in his retirement.… more »
Peter Swanson was chair of the Host Committee of the recently held 18th International Congress of Maritime Arbitrators in Vancouver from May 13-18, 2012. The very successful Congress was attended by lawyers, arbitrators and other industry professionals from around the world. The next Congress will be held in Shanghai in 2015.… more »
Tom Hawkins recently chaired the very successful Canadian Maritime Law Association legal education seminar on May 12, 2012, which was held in conjunction with the Association’s annual general meeting. The topics covered ranged from shipping in the Arctic, to green house gas emissions, to general maritime law developments.… more »
Tom Beasley, Associate Counsel with Bernard LLP, is co-counsel for the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, which is an intervenor in the appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada of Moore v BC (Ministry of Education), 2010 BCHRT 478. The Appeal, which is to be heard on March 22, 2012, concerns whether the School District of North… more »
On November 26, 2009 Transport Canada issued a Notice of Violation to a cruise ship for violations under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 regarding the alleged discharge of a pollutant, failing to make entries in the oil record book, and obstructing inspectors. The administrative penalties assessed for the alleged violations exceeded $45,000. David K. Jones of Bernard LLP represented the… more »
Bernard LLP lawyer W. Gary Wharton successfully represented a vessel owner in a recent case before the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada (TATC). Under the Canada Shipping Act 2001, the owner of a pleasure vessel can charter its vessel on a bareboat basis without compromising the vessel’s status as a pleasure vessel. If the vessel is not a pleasure… more »
Bernard LLP is proud to be the first Gold Sponsor of the upcoming International Congress of Maritime Arbitrators (ICMA 2012) scheduled for May 13-18, 2012 in Vancouver, B.C. ICMA 2012 will provide arbitrators, national maritime associations, marine insurers, ship owners, charterers, cargo interests and the legal community from around the world with the opportunity to exchange views and… more »
We are pleased to announce that Tom Beasley joined the firm on January 1, 2012 as associate counsel. Tom brings a unique set of skills, and his considerable experience, to Bernard LLP expanding and enhancing our employment, human rights and litigation practices. Tom can be reached at 604-661-0617 or by e-mail at beasley@bernardllp.ca.… more »
Gary Wharton was elected Commodore of the West Vancouver Yacht Club effective November 30, 2011, having previously served as Vice Commodore and Honorary Solicitor.… more »
Four lawyers at Bernard LLP were recognized in the latest Canadian Shipping & Maritime report from Who’s Who Legal. “Bernard LLP increases its presence to four lawyers in this edition. Founding partner Peter Bernard QC is one of the most highly nominated lawyers in our research, and was described as “one of the finest lawyers on the West Coast”.… more »