We’re pleased to share that our colleague Angela Bespflug has been named a 2026 Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation Canada. She has also earned a spot on the shortlist for Plaintiff Litigator of the Year at the 2026 Benchmark Litigation Canada Awards – an honour she continues to receive recognition for year after year.

You can View Angela’s Benchmark profile HERE.

Congratulations, Angela, and best of luck at the Canada Awards!

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We are pleased to share that Kevin Gourlay, Keri Grenier, and Janelle O’Connor will be speaking at the 2026 Trial Lawyers Association of BC Convention May 7 – 8th in Vancouver. 

Keri is doing double duty as both co-chair of the event and speaking on Lawyer’s Guide to Public Relations with the Media: The Art of Keeping Your Mouth Shut, and Knowing When Not To. 

Kevin will speak on Psychological Injury Without Policy Control Mechanisms: Where Canadian Law Now Stands and Janelle joins a panel to discuss Three Courts, One Story: Family Violence Across Criminal, Family & Tort Law. 

The TLABC Convention is a two-day educational event for lawyers of all practice areas. The Convention will feature networking opportunities, lunchtime keynote speakers, and three concurrent tracks of small group sessions: Technology and Media, Trial and Advocacy, and Hot Topics in Law. 

If you are interested in learning more, please visit the TLABC Convention website. 

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Since its beginnings in 1911, IWD has honoured women’s accomplishments, highlighted ongoing inequalities, and encouraged us to recommit to true gender equality. Every effort, big or small, builds the spirit of the day—making it powerful and inclusive. We were delighted to be there and enjoy this year’s keynote address from award-winning scholar and best-selling author Tracey Lindberg. 

#GaintoGive #IWD2026

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What is this case about?

This class action lawsuit (known as Rorison and Methot v. ICBC) alleges that ICBC engaged in an unlawful scheme to divert money from the accident benefits accounts of injured individuals to the Medical Services Plan (MSP). The claim suggests that because ICBC applied these MSP charges for doctor visits to individual benefit accounts, some people were unable to access the full amount of accident benefits they were entitled to receive.

By settling, ICBC does not admit any liability or wrongdoing; rather, all parties have agreed to a compromise to resolve the dispute.

Settlement Details

ICBC has agreed to pay:

• $265,475.27 for unpaid accident benefits still owing to class members.
• $129,420.39 in interest on those unpaid benefits.
• $1,000 in additional compensation for each affected class member.

Who is included? You are a class member if you were injured in a motor vehicle accident on or after January 1, 1994, were insured by ICBC, and received accident benefits up to the legal limit of ICBC’s liability to pay, unless you opted-out of the class action by February 27, 2026 pursuant to a previous order of the Court. If the settlement is approved, ICBC will mail cheques directly to class members for the specific amount they are owed.

Legal Fees

This is a notable win for class members and in addition, Class Counsel is not seeking any legal fees from this settlement amount. This means the full settlement sum is intended to be paid out directly to the Accident Victim Class Members.

Your Rights and Next Steps

The settlement must be approved by the Supreme Court of British Columbia to become official.

• Approval Hearing: The hearing is scheduled for May 15, 2026, at 9:00 am at the Courthouse at 800 Smithe Street, Vancouver, BC.
• Right to Object: If you have not opted out, you have the right to comment on or object to the settlement. Written objections must be sent to Class Counsel at MSPClassAction@murphybattista.com and received by May 8, 2026.

Important Documents

For a full understanding of the settlement and your rights, please review the court-authorized documents:

• Short Form Notice – A quick summary of the settlement.
• Long Form Notice – A detailed explanation of the case and the agreement.
• Settlement Agreement – The full written agreement with ICBC.
• First Stage Order – The court order establishing the notice process and timelines.

For full details of this class action visit: ICBC MSP Class Action.

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A proposed settlement has been reached in the “Rate Payers” portion of the class action lawsuit involving the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) and the Province of British Columbia.

What is this case about?

The lawsuit alleged that ICBC diverted funds to the Province to pay for certain health-related services. The plaintiffs argued that this practice unfairly increased compulsory auto insurance rates for British Columbians and essentially acted as an “unconstitutional tax.”

The Proposed Settlement

The Province of British Columbia has agreed to an all-inclusive settlement of $12,200,000 to resolve the Rate Payers’ claims. This agreement is a compromise of disputed claims and is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing by the Province or ICBC.

Where will the money go? Unlike some class actions where checks are mailed to individuals, the distribution for this case is structured differently due to the massive size of the class. After court-approved legal fees and costs are deducted, the remaining funds will be donated to various non-profit organizations and programs that benefit the public.

Who is included?

You are automatically considered a “Class Member” if you purchased compulsory auto insurance from ICBC between 1973 and January 26, 2026.

Your Legal Rights and Options

1. Do Nothing

If you support the settlement or do not wish to take independent legal action, you do not need to do anything. You will be bound by the court’s decision and the settlement terms.

2. Opt Out (Deadline: April 7, 2026)

If you wish to maintain your right to sue the Province independently regarding this specific claim, you must “opt out” of the class action. By opting out, you will not be part of this settlement, but you retain the right to pursue your own claim at your own expense.

How to Opt Out:

• Download the Form: Access the Ratepayer Class Opt-Out Form here.
• Submit: Complete and deliver the form to Murphy Battista LLP via mail or email (MSPClassAction@murphybattista.com) no later than April 7, 2026.
  
  

The Approval Hearing

The settlement is not yet final. A court hearing is scheduled for May 14, 2026, at 9:00 am in Vancouver. During this hearing, the court will decide whether to approve the settlement, the legal fees, and an honorarium for the representative plaintiff, Robert Rorison.

Stay Informed

For full details, we encourage all ICBC policyholders to review the official court-authorized documents:

• Long Form Notice: Detailed explanation of terms and legal rights.
• Short Form Notice: A summary of key deadlines.
  
  

For more information, visit the official case page here: ICBC MSP Class Action.

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Please note our holiday office closures:

• Closed from 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24 through Friday, December 26
  
• Closed from 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31 through Thursday, January 1, 2026

We look forward to connecting with you again in the new year. 

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At Murphy Battista LLP, we honour the commitment and sacrifices of our Canadian Armed Forces Members and Veterans. Thank you for your service. For our part, we will not forget and we will continue our commitment to fight for Veterans’ rights and ensure that our CAF Members and Veterans receive the support and respect they deserve. 

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Scott Stanley explained that “only buyers are required to transfer the registration at the vehicle registry office. The seller doesn’t have to be there.

So if a buyer never completes the paperwork, the seller’s name stays on the registration — and with it, the responsibility for tickets, towing, insurance or possibly criminal liability.”

For a Langley, BC man that liability was a $1500 bill when a car he had sold three months earlier was found abandoned without plates and towed.

This cautionary tale confirms that if you are selling a car privately you would be wise to attend at the vehicle registry office with the buyer to make sure the vehicle is properly transferred. 

Read the story here: Man billed $1,500 for vehicle he didn’t own, insurer says he still has to pay

The post Sellers beware! Scott Stanley explains loophole in most provincial vehicle laws that can leave honest sellers exposed to liability appeared first on Murphy Battista LLP.

Best Law Firms Rankings Canada (2026 Edition)

We’re grateful for this recognition, which reflects our team’s efforts and the confidence our clients have shown in us. At Murphy Battista LLP, we’ll continue to focus on providing thoughtful guidance and strong advocacy for those who rely on us.

Click to view our Best Law Firms profile.

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For two decades, the WLR has empowered and inspired women in BC’s legal community. We are honoured to support an event designed to celebrate connection, inclusion, and professional growth.

We’d also like to take this opportunity to honour the women who had the foresight and leadership to create the retreat and thank all of those who have kept it going strong.

#TLABC_women #WLR

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