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Family Law

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12-03-25 | Business Law, Civil Law, Family Law

Finding Your Own Path in Law: The Journey of Michael Vathilakis

Michael Vathilakis, a graduate of the University of Ottawa’s Civil Law Section (LL.L./LL.B., 2000), looks back in this visual post on the experiences that shaped his inspiring career path. Driven by a desire to give back to the Faculty “that gave him his start” he now supports the next generation of legal professionals through the Renno & Vathilakis award in family law, offered by his firm.

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09-25-25 | Droit de l'enfant, Droit de l'enfant, Family Law, Human Rights

Reforming Quebec’s Surrogacy Laws

Coming into force in June 2023, Bill 12 significantly reformed the legal framework surrounding surrogacy in Quebec. According to the Minister of Justice, the law aims to better reflect the realities faced by Quebec families, prioritize the best interests of children born through surrogacy, and protect the rights of surrogates. In this visual post, Professor Stefanie Carsley revisits the reform, pointing out that some measures may actually run counter to the legislator’s intended goals. Her analysis is drawn from her article Reforming Quebec’s Surrogacy Laws, published in the Revue générale de droit.

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06-17-25 | Children’s Rights, Family Law, Student Projects

The Daily life of Foster Families

In a welcoming home in the Outaouais region, Coralie Dufresne and her husband have been foster parents to seven children for nearly four years. Despite challenges within the system, such as staff shortages and unstable follow-ups, their commitment remains strong. Coralie emphasizes that a child’s return to their biological family is not a failure, but a collective success.

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05-25-23 | Access to Justice, Family Law, Mediation, Student Projects

Family Mediation: In the Best Interests of the Child

Going to court in family matters is particularly difficult for all parties involved, especially for issues involving children such as custody, access or support. However, litigation is not the only option in a family dispute. Students in the faculty of law have been interested in family mediation as a way of resolving disputes that allows the parties in conflict to find a solution on their own instead of leaving it in the hands of a court, all in the best interests of the child.

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