Newsletters & Bulletins
As part of our commitment to continually enhance communications and share timely information with our clients, H&A regularly produces and distributes newsletters and e-bulletins for our clients. These written publications provide you with industry news, developments in the fields of forensic accounting, computer forensics and e-Discovery… plus practical guidelines, checklists and articles to demystify these complex areas.
SHARING OUR EXPERTISE WITH YOU
This section contains the abbreviated version of key articles from our most recent newsletters, e-bulletins and e-alerts, authored by our in-house experts and designed to give you the latest information on investigative forensics. To read the full feature article, visit our Virtual Office. If you are not a registered user of the Virtual Office, click here to complete the application for password access.
H&A’s newsletter addresses the needs of law firms and corporate counsel in the rapidly evolving areas of electronic discovery and computer forensics.
Electronic Discovery E-Alerts
H&A takes pride in getting the breaking news to our clients “hot off the press”. Many of these news items involve legal decisions that are crucial to the industry.
Our new monthly communication is designed to bring you the latest in electronic discovery and computer forensics developments plus updates about our firm.
Our educational newsletter has brought timely information to our insurance clients for many years.
Forensic Accounting E-Alerts
H&A takes pride in getting the breaking news to our clients “hot off the press”. Many of these news items involve legal decisions that are crucial to the industry.
Our new monthly communication is designed to bring you the latest forensic developments plus updates about our firm.
ForensicFocus - The Journal Of Digital Forensics And Discovery Analytics
This section contains the abbreviated version of key articles from our most recent issue of ForensicFocus newsletters. The articles we author or report on are designed to give our clients the latest information on issues affecting their industry. To read the full feature article, visit our Virtual Office. If you are not a member of the Virtual Office, click here to complete the application for password access.
Title: E-Discovery – is your E-House in order?
Author: Oleh Hrycko, CA-IFA, President, H&A Computer Forensics Inc.
Subject Area: e-Discovery
Summary: Enron and WorldCom have vividly demonstrated that e-discovery is now pivotal in almost all complex litigation. To ignore this sophisticated and critical tool of the trade is to become strategically vulnerable to any adversary who has embraced the technology. The challenge for corporations is to develop a standardized, effective and cost-efficient strategy.
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Title: Best Practices for E-Document Management
Author: Oleh Hrycko, CA-IFA, President, H&A Computer Forensics Inc.
Subject Area: Computer Forensics/e-Discovery
Summary: There are two major elements to consider when developing an electronic document retention and destruction policy - (1) the management of documents during the normal course of business and (2) the management of documents when the business is notified of impending litigation. Adequate safeguards are required to ensure the integrity and authenticity of records, particularly e-mail which is the most attractive source of e-evidence in litigation. Proper implementation of best practices must include employee education and awareness, supported by the appropriate guidelines and compliance audits.
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Title: Sarbanes-Oxley and the Role of In-House Counsel in the Management of Electronic Data
Author: Janet Olsen, CA, H&A Forensic Accounting Inc.
Subject Area: Computer Forensics/e-Discovery
Summary: The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOx) was enacted to enhance disclosure, strengthen accounting oversight and intensify corporate accountability in response to the growing trend of malfeasance in corporate management practices. SOx also laid down strict rules on document retention practices including electronic records and e-mail; organizations will walk a fine line between retaining and destroying data so as not to contravene SOx. In-house counsel must play a large role in developing and managing document retention practices while balancing the conflicting goals and initiatives of the corporate team, particularly when litigation becomes a threat. It will be their responsibility to ensure that the organization is always prepared for an e-discovery request.
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Title: Best Practices for Preserving Electronic Evidence
Author: Chuck Rothman, BASc., P. Eng., Sr. e-Discovery Manager, H&A Computer Forensics Inc.
Subject Area: E-Discovery
Summary: How will you handle a request for electronic documents? Surveys of the American Bar Association indicate that the majority of people are not even aware that their e-records are discoverable and most don’t include their e-docs in document management programs or in protocols for the suspension of document destruction during litigation. The need for comprehensive e-discovery response plans has never been greater; having one in place before you get that request will save untold grief. Successful implementation of these strategies is best accomplished by a team of specialists including inside counsel, outside counsel, IT and e-discovery consultants.
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Current E-Alerts
Title: FSCO Final Decision on SABS Bill 59
Date: October 7, 2003
Author: Janet Olsen, CA, CFE
Subject Area: Insurance – Accident Benefits
Summary: In the Oct 7th 2003 appeal decision between Robert L. Welsh and Economical Mutual Insurance Company, final resolution was brought to the diverging opinions that surrounded the ordering of post accident losses from self-employment and the application of the policy maximum under Bill 59. As a result, the addition of post-accident losses from self-employment incurred as a result of the accident can, indeed, yield a weekly income replacement benefit payable significantly in excess of the policy maximum. Bill 198 effectively rectifies this outcome.
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ForensicFocus - The Journal Of Total Forensic Accounting Solutions
Title: Why Can't We Just Pay Replacement Wages, Instead of an IRB?
Subject Area: Insurance - Accident Benefits
Summary: Intuitively, this approach may seem to be the path of least resistance. However, the mechanics of the calculation of an irb, as per the SABS, will always yield a different result. Let's take a closer look.
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Title: Is There A Legitimate ‘Future Contract of Employment’?
Subject Area: Insurance - Accident Benefits
Summary: To assess the legitimacy of a future contract of employment (as required by SABS), there are eight specific questions to answer. If those responses determine a legitimate future contract, then there are six further questions that determine the amount of the weekly income replacement benefit. The eligibility of self-employed individuals to claim under “future contracts of employment” can be determined under provisions of Paragraph 4(3)(i) of SABS.
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Title: SABS – Section 60 Proposed Changes
Subject Area: Insurance - Accident Benefits
Summary: Continuing benefits paid in respect to impairment from a prior accident can be deducted in calculating weekly income replacement from a current accident. Draft regulations propose changes to the definition of ‘temporary disability benefits’, as per subsection 60(3) of the SABS. There are also implications for the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 (“the current Act”) and the predecessor Act.
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Title: Your Accident Benefits Solution
Subject Area: Insurance - Accident Benefits
Summary: We think it is fair to say that H&A’s 9th Annual Accident Benefits Seminar was a resounding success!
The feedback, both from our survey of attendees and otherwise, has been nothing but positive – no small thanks to the always informative and always entertaining contribution of our keynote speaker, Ms. Philippa Samworth of Dutton Brock, LLP.
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