Shotgun Clause Robs Shareholders of $750k
The BC Court of Appeal has upheld an arbitrator’s finding that triggering a shotgun clause terminated the selling parties’ interest in a joint venture, thereby eliminating their entitlement to an outstanding capital equalization payment. The Co-Ownership Agreement In 2007, JEL Investments Ltd. entered into a joint venture with Boxer Capital Corporation and Yanco Management Ltd. JEL held a 50% interest, with the other 50% split between Boxer and Yanco. Boxer and Yanco agreed that JEL would contribute proportionately less equity to the venture up front, due to a lack of available funds at the time. In exchange, any profits would ... [more] Full article
Out of Time – Investment Dealer’s Claim for Indemnity against Investment Advisor Barred by Statute of Limitations
The Court of Appeal has recently held that the limitation period to bring an action enforcing a contractual right to indemnity starts to run on the date that a party ... [more] Full article
Tim Hortons Franchisees Must Be Content With Profits from Coffee, Not Food
Tim Hortons franchisees have lost their challenge to Tim Hortons’ “Always Fresh” model that allegedly reduced the profitability of donuts, TimBits, and other food items. In Fairview Donut Inc. v. ... [more] Full article
Court pierces corporate veil on alter ego theory of liability
In Chan v. City Commercial Realty Group Ltd., the court “pierced the corporate veil” to hold the principals of a real estate brokerage personally liable for the debts of their ... [more] Full article
Corporate Litigation Contributors
Michael Binetti
Michael Binetti, a partner of the firm, brings a proven litigation background plus extensive experience in arguing both trials and appeals. He has demonstrated his strategic legal capability and expertise in wide-ranging areas of litigation. Michael’s peers and clients have commented that Michael is an “excellent and creative lawyer,” “finds unique solutions to complex problems,” and that “Michael gets it and knows how to win.”
Kenneth A. Dekker
Kenneth Dekker, a partner of the firm, is a successful trial and appellate lawyer who is valued by his clients as a resourceful and practical litigation counsel. Over more than two decades, Ken has litigated noteworthy cases in a range of fields that include class action defence, securities and broker-dealer litigation and regulatory defence, corporate and shareholder disputes (including oppression and winding up cases), defamation, civil fraud litigation, disputes over contracts, injunctions, professional liability litigation, employment litigation and cross-border litigation issues. Ken has appeared before all levels of courts in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court and the Court of Appeal for Ontario, as well as before the Supreme Court of Canada. Ken also represents and advises clients in regulatory matters before the Investment Industry Organization of Canada (IIROC), the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA) and the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). Ken has been ranked as Repeatedly Recommended for Securities Litigation by Lexpert, for Corporate and Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers of Canada, and he has been given the highest available rating of AV, or pre-eminent, by his peers on Martindale-Hubbell.
Masiel A. Matus
Masiel has a broad commercial litigation practice and represents both national and international clients in a variety of complex matters. Masiel has experience litigating cases involving professional negligence, commercial leasing and real property disputes, insurance, contract disputes, shareholder disputes, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, employment matters and defamation claims.
David N. Vaillancourt
David's practice expertise focuses on all matters of Commercial and Civil Litigation, Competition and Administrative Law. David has acted for clients in a wide range of disputes, including shareholder and partnership disputes, securities litigation, class action defence, proceedings under the Competition Act, employment law disputes, contract disputes, breach of confidence/intellectual property disputes, fidelity bond claims, and professional negligence claims. David has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, including the Court of Appeal for Ontario, and has also appeared before the Competition Tribunal and the Federal Court of Appeal. David has appeared as lead counsel in numerous trials, hearings, and motions. David has been successful in numerous adversarial proceedings, and also has successfully negotiated the resolution of dozens of cases.
