
Visa Refused by Chinook or a “Boilerplate” Letter? How to Challenge It
Refused with generic reasons? Learn how IRCC uses Chinook, why template refusals can be unreasonable, and how judicial review works. Pax Law Corporation.
Pax Law was founded by Dr. Samin Mortazavi, a member of the Law Society of British Columbia and the Law Society of Ontario, with a clear mission: to deliver practical, high-quality legal services you can trust. Our experienced team advises individuals and businesses across business, criminal, family, immigration, real estate, estate planning, wills,and cross-border matters for clients in Canada. We provide strategic, tailored solutions to protect your interests and achieve the best possible outcomes.
Meet Dr. Samin Mortazavi and the Pax Law lawyers in North Vancouver and Toronto.
The Pax Law immigration team, with experienced lawyers and licensed consultants (RCIC), provides specialized services in study visas, work permits, permanent residency, family sponsorship, refugee claims, and rejected cases. With personalized legal solutions, we increase your chances of success in immigrating to Canada and provide reliable, efficient services.
Pax Law, a law firm in North Vancouver with an experienced team of real estate lawyers, provides comprehensive services in buying, selling, ownership transfer, and mortgages. With over 2,000 successful transactions, we handle all legal stages with precision and transparency and offer services in multiple languages.
The Pax Law family and divorce legal team provides specialized services in child custody, financial support, division of assets, and marital agreements to support you. With a professional and compassionate approach, we manage separation and family matters with minimal stress and maximum protection of your rights.
Pax Law began operations in Vancouver under Pax Law Corporation, a British Columbia-registered company, in March 2019 by Dr. Samin Mortazavi. It later opened its doors to clients in Toronto in June 2026, where it operates under Pax Law Professional Corporation, an Ontario-registered company, with a clear mission: to deliver practical, high-quality legal services you can trust. Our experienced team advises individuals and businesses across business, criminal, family, immigration, real estate, estate planning, wills, and cross-border matters for clients in Canada . We provide strategic, tailored solutions to protect your interests and achieve the best possible outcomes.
The Pax Law immigration team, consisting of experienced lawyers and licensed consultants (RCIC), provides immigration services to Canada. We specialize in study visas, work permits, permanent residency, family sponsorship, and refugee claims in Canada, and we manage cases of rejected immigration applications. By offering professional and personalized immigration legal solutions, we increase your chances of success in immigrating to Canada. Our goal is to provide reliable and efficient legal and immigration services to all clients.
Pax Law, a law firm in North Vancouver with an experienced team of real estate lawyers, provides comprehensive legal services in buying, selling, ownership transfer, mortgages, and mortgage repayment. With over 2,000 successful transactions, we handle all legal stages—from contract review to title transfer and financial settlement—with precision and transparency. Our services are available in English, Persian, Vietnamese, Hindi, Tamil, and Malay, making complex real estate processes simple and accessible.
The Pax Law family and divorce legal team provides specialized services to support you. Our team assists with matters such as child custody, financial support, division of assets, and drafting pre- and post-marital agreements. We strive, with a professional and compassionate approach, to ensure that the separation process and family matters proceed with minimal stress and maximum protection of your rights. In sensitive situations, such as domestic violence, we also provide immediate and supportive actions to ensure the safety of you and your children.
IRCC has recently been issuing a large number of procedural fairness letters raising concerns about inadmissibility. A PFL is often your only opportunity to respond before a decision is made, and the deadline in the letter is short. How you answer can decide the outcome of your application.
IRPA s. 34
Concerns about membership in an organization, including past service connected to the IRGC.
IRPA s. 35
Allegations that you held a senior position in a designated government.
IRPA s. 36
Convictions or charges inside or outside Canada, including foreign offences assessed for equivalency.
IRPA ss. 16 & 40
Concerns that information or documents were incomplete, inaccurate or not disclosed.
We have successful decisions at admissibility hearings for s. 35 and s. 36, and positive results in submissions and negotiations on s. 34 and s. 40 concerns.
Book a Consultation Now →Do not wait until the deadline. Book a consultation as soon as you receive the letter, so we have time to review your file and prepare a full response.
Every case depends on its own facts. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your matter. This section is general information, not legal advice.
Protect your loved one
The Pax Law legal team provides specialized services in wills and estate planning in Canada. We help you manage and transfer your assets and property in a legal and transparent manner. Properly drafting a will ensures your family’s financial security and the precise execution of your wishes after your passing. With our professional guidance, the estate planning process will be simple, reliable, and fully compliant with Canadian law.
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Buying and Selling Businesses
Our legal team, with a professional approach, defends the rights of entrepreneurs, startups, and small and large businesses. These specialized and comprehensive legal services in business law include company incorporation, contract drafting, business purchase and sale consultation, shareholder agreements, and resolution of commercial disputes. With our professional guidance, you can ensure that your business is legally positioned for growth and success.
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Workplace Contracts and Disputes
We provide specialized and comprehensive legal services in employment law. These services include consultation on wrongful termination, review of employment contracts, and handling complaints related to harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Our legal team, with a compassionate and professional approach, defends the rights of both employees and employers in British Columbia. With our guidance, you can ensure that your workplace rights are properly protected.
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Every case is unique. At Pax Law, we thoroughly evaluate your situation and craft clear strategies to stand by you through every step of your legal and immigration process.
Transparent guidance and step-by-step follow-up to achieve results.
Clear Answers. Trusted Support. Let Pax Law Be Your Compass In Law.
In the News section, follow the latest company events and achievements alongside the most important current legal news and developments. Stay informed with us about the newest legal changes and legal analyses.

Refused with generic reasons? Learn how IRCC uses Chinook, why template refusals can be unreasonable, and how judicial review works. Pax Law Corporation.

Can a parent legally cut you out of their will in British Columbia? While parents can write a disinheriting clause, BC courts hold statutory power under WESA to rewrite unfair distributions. Here is how judicial variation works, the 180-day limitation rule, and how the courts evaluate adult child claims.

When siblings face estate conflicts in British Columbia, the legal remedy depends entirely on two threshold questions: was there a valid will, and was the deceased a parent or a brother/sister? Discover the statutory paths, critical 180-day limits, and procedural steps under WESA.

Can a will be challenged in BC? Discover the distinct legal grounds under WESA—from lack of capacity to undue influence—and the critical court procedures required before and after probate is granted.

Backing out of an accepted real estate offer in British Columbia usually carries steep financial penalties, but specific legal pathways allow buyers to exit with their full deposit intact. Discover how unfulfilled subject clauses, REDMA pre-construction protections, and mutual discharge rules protect your funds.

Facing criminal inadmissibility to Canada? Discover the key legal differences between automatic Deemed Rehabilitation and an individual Criminal Rehabilitation application under the IRPA.

Navigating estate distribution in British Columbia requires understanding the strict boundaries between registered title, beneficial ownership, and statutory inheritance rights under WESA. Discover how assets actually pass upon death.

In Canadian criminal law, adult convictions are rarely erased entirely. Discover the strict waiting periods, eligibility bars, and statutory frameworks that govern record suspensions before the Parole Board of Canada.

Many claimants fear that marital separation automatically terminates their asylum proceedings in Canada. The legal reality is distinct: divorce does not cancel a claim on its own. Learn how IRPA sections, joined claims under Rule 56, and risk reassessments actually function before the RPD.

An in-depth overview of permanent residence on Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) grounds under Section 25 of the IRPA, exploring key assessment factors, the best interests of the child (BIOC), and core differences from refugee claims.

An authoritative legal guide to seeking asylum in Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), examining eligibility criteria, Convention grounds, IFA tests, and RPD claim procedures.
Consult
Schedule an initial consultation to review your needs and receive clear information about the available legal process
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Contract
Preparation of agreements that reflect your instructions and comply with the applicable laws of British Columbia
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Pay
Make secure payments through a straightforward process designed to ensure clarity and proper record keeping
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Pax Law Corporation has a proven record of success in immigration, family, and civil law. Our lawyers have represented clients before the Supreme Court of BC and the Federal Court of Canada. These cases reflect our commitment to transparency and strong results.
Citizenship and Immigration
SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
We overturned a study permit refusal at the Federal Court. The officer rejected the application with a generic refusal, citing travel history, family ties, and purpose of visit. The Court found the decision unreasonable, granted judicial review, and ordered redetermination by a new officer. Aghaalikhani has since been cited in many other cases, shaping the law on study permit refusals.
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Citizenship and Immigration
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Citizenship and Immigration
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Citizenship and Immigration
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Find answers to our most common client inquiries here. Can’t find what you’re looking for? We are here to help.
With offices in North Vancouver and Toronto, Pax Law Corporation provides legal services in Immigration Law (including visa refusals and Federal Court litigation), Family Law and Divorce, Real Estate Conveyancing, Civil Litigation, and Corporate Law.
Yes. In addition to in-person appointments at our North Vancouver and Toronto offices, we provide remote legal consultations and file management via Zoom, Google Meet, and phone for clients worldwide.
Lawyers are licensed by provincial Law Societies and have the standing to represent clients in provincial and Federal courts. Communications with a lawyer are also protected by Solicitor-Client Privilege.
Depending on the nature of the matter, fees are structured as either a flat fee or standard hourly billing. All costs, fees, and disbursements are set out in the Retainer Agreement prior to starting work.
All reviews4.7![]()
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Trustindex3.9
BBB1.0Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Mr. Haghjou handled my case with the support of Mr. Erfan Behzadi. They were truly even more proactive than I was in following up on my case and handled every step with great care and attention to detail. I sincerely thank them both for their dedication and support.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
A big thank you to the whole Pax Law team, especially Dr. Mortazavi and Mr. Haghjou. Everyone was kind, patient, and caring. I really appreciate everything they did for me!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I cannot thank Dr. Samin Mortazavi and the incredible team at Pax Law Corporation enough for their exceptional work. After facing long delays with my citizenship application, I reached out to Dr. Samin for a Mandamus application before the Federal Court. From day one, his expertise and legal mastery were evident. The Memorandum of Argument he prepared was a masterpiece—thorough, impeccably structured, and completely airtight. Within just five and a half months, my citizenship was approved, and I have already got my Canadian citizenship. A special thanks to Mr. Pouria Soltani, the case manager, who was amazingly supportive and very helpful during whole the process. He took the time to explain every detail and guided me through the entire process with great patience. Also, special appreciation to Ms. Anousheh at the front desk for always being so welcoming, polite, and responsive over the phone. If you are looking for a highly skilled, dedicated, and top-tier legal team that delivers results, Dr. Samin and Pax Law Corporation are hands down the best. Highly recommended!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I had a very good experience with Pax Law. I needed my PR card renewal sorted quickly because of an upcoming business trip, so I did some research and also asked ChatGPT for the best and fastest option in Vancouver. Pax Law came up as the first recommendation, so I gave them a call. They were friendly, very organised and paid attention to every detail. They understood the urgency and had everything prepared for me within two days, with really good communication and follow up throughout. Very happy with the service and would definitely recommend them.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I had a great experience working with Ms. Sultani at Pax Law. She handled my case professionally and efficiently, and the entire process went smoothly. She was responsive, helpful, and clear throughout. I truly appreciate her support and would highly recommend her services.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I’m very grateful for the excellent guidance and professional support I received from Pax Law. They were knowledgeable, attentive, and truly took the time to understand my situation. I greatly appreciate the work they did for me and would highly recommend their services to anyone looking for a trustworthy and dedicated lawyer.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
My experience with Pax Law did not start off well. My file was initially assigned to Ms. Parisa Pourhashemi, and unfortunately, I was very disappointed with the way my case was handled. There were several occasions when I had to repeatedly explain or defend documents that were actually correct. One particularly frustrating example involved our property deed. Ms. Pourhashemi firmly told me that the deed I had provided was incorrect and that the property was not in our name. She stated this with such certainty that I was genuinely shocked. What made this situation even more troubling was something Ms. Pourhashemi later wrote to me in an email. She told me, with complete confidence, that because I had supposedly provided her with an incorrect property deed, I was essentially in no position to criticize the quality of their work. I found this comment both disrespectful and extremely concerning. The very same property deed was subsequently sent to Mr. Haghjou, who reviewed it and confirmed that there was nothing wrong with it. So my question to Ms. Pourhashemi is this: how can you speak to a client with such certainty—and in such a dismissive manner—when the very premise of your statement turns out to be incorrect? If there was uncertainty about the document, I would have expected you to consult someone with greater knowledge or experience before making such a definitive statement and using it as a reason to dismiss a client’s legitimate concerns. This incident reflects one of the biggest problems I had with my experience. It was not simply about making a mistake. Mistakes happen. What concerned me was the combination of being extremely confident about something that ultimately turned out to be incorrect, not reconsidering that position, and then speaking to a client in a dismissive manner based on that incorrect conclusion. When the forms were eventually sent to me for final review before submission, I found numerous errors. What disappointed me most was what happened after I expressed my concerns. I communicated my disappointment politely and respectfully and explained that I did not feel my file had received the level of attention, care, and focus that I expected. In response, I received an email whose tone I found surprisingly harsh and unprofessional. I was genuinely shocked by it. In my opinion, anyone working directly with clients should be able to receive respectful feedback and respond professionally. Based on my personal experience, I do not believe the communication I received met that standard. For these reasons, based solely on my personal experience, I would not recommend having a visa application handled by Ms. Pourhashemi. That being said, I also believe in giving credit where it is deserved, and this is where my experience with Pax Law changed significantly for the better. Once my concerns were brought to Mr. Haghjou’s attention, the situation was handled very differently. He contacted me very quickly, obtained the necessary documents from me, carefully reviewed the issues I had raised, and moved the case forward promptly. I am genuinely grateful to Mr. Haghjou for the way he stepped in and managed the situation. His responsiveness, professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to resolve the issues gave me a much better impression of Pax Law as a firm. For that reason, despite the very negative experience I had at the beginning, I felt it would be unfair not to give Pax Law five stars overall. Update: Unfortunately, I left a review that was critical but respectful, and I felt that the response I received was unnecessarily confrontational. You stated that I had “yelled at your staff,” which I did not do. If you have a recording or any other evidence of this, I would appreciate it if you could provide it. You also stated that the issue regarding the document was an “ambiguity.” However, your staff member explicitly stated that I had sent the wrong document. All of the relevant communication and documentation is available in our email correspondence.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We had an excellent experience with Pax Law and Samin Mortazavi as our lawyer when buying a condo. He was thorough, answered all of my questions, and double checked with his team during the meeting to make sure that all information was correct. Thanks for the great service!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Trustindex.
Trusted Experts in Legal Matters I’m truly honored that I trusted you with my case. You did an absolutely amazing job – professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely dedicated. I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer. Special thanks to Mr. Hagjoo, Mr. Mortazavi, and dear Kamand for all your support and kindness. I’ll confidently recommend you to anyone who needs legal help.”Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Trustindex.
Miracle professionals Dr. Mortazavi's work is like a magic.... bring hopes and shine to all families and people in needTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Trustindex.
Lucas Pearce. Legal Services, Pax Law We had the distinct pleasure of working with Lucas Pearce on two different matters. His professionalism and expertise are gold standard. I would give him the highest recommendation; we very much appreciated his consultative communication style: in particular, his ability to make a client feel heard and respected especially when dealing with sensitive issues. A definite 5 star review in every regard. He is the best.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Trustindex.
Thank you I now understand my entittlement. THANK YOUTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Trustindex.
They are professional team and doing perfectlyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Trustindex.
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Trustindex.
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Trustindex.
Thank you for your sense of responsibility and getting things done.
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T Mirzaee64 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I’m very happy with the service I received. They were supportive, knowledgeable, and kept me informed throughout the entire process. I truly appreciate their dedication and would highly recommend their services to anyone looking for a reliable and caring lawyer.Posted on Google![]()
minoush bakhtiari99 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I had a consultation with Dr.Samin Mortazavi.He was very professional and helpful. Thank you Pax LawVerified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
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