Ignorance Is Not Bliss: Market Registrants Beware
A market registrant’s lack of actual knowledge of the source of tip or their tipper’s relationship to an issuer will not protect them from liability under the Securities Act, according to the Ontario Court of Appeal in its recent decision in Finkelstein v. Ontario Securities Commission. The appeal court upheld findings of liability against investment advisers Howard Miller and Francis Cheng on the basis that both ought reasonably to have known that their respective tippers stood in a special relationship with the issuer. Background This case arose out of the OSC’s administrative proceedings against five individuals, including Miller and Cheng. It ... [more] Full article
IIROC and MFDA Can Now Collect Fines in Court
On May 17, 2017, Bill 127 amended the Securities Act which allows both IIROC and the MFDA to file their disciplinary decisions with the Superior Court of Justice as enforceable ... [more] Full article
Limitation periods still matter in broker/dealer cases, appeal shows
The limitation period starts to run when the plaintiff has knowledge of a wrong and the facts that would constitute a cause of action, the Ontario Court of Appeal reaffirmed ... [more] Full article
OSC announces “no-contest” settlement program
The Ontario Securities Commission decided it will now settle enforcement proceedings in some cases without requiring admissions of fault (announced on March 11, 2014). This changes the OSC’s prior practice of generally requiring parties subject to enforcement to openly admit ... [more] Full article
Broker/Dealer litigation Contributors
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 recognized for Corporate and Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers of Canada and has been given the highest available rating of AV, or pre-eminent, by his peers on Martindale-Hubbell.
Peter R. Greene
Peter is a widely recognized and renowned litigator with substantial expertise in high profile and complex Commercial Litigation at the trial and appellate levels. Peter acts as counsel for insurance companies on professional liability, E&O claims, Director's and Officer's liability, and surety, fidelity and dishonesty bond claims. He has particular expertise in securities litigation and Regulatory Hearing, and has acted for Canada's largest investment firms. He regularly acts as defence counsel in large Class Actions before the courts in Ontario, and before national and provincial Regulatory agencies, boards and tribunals. Peter is regularly involved in large product liability and construction contract cases involving Construction Liens or Surety Bonds.
Meredith Hayward
Meredith has earned an impressive reputation for her skill and abilities in Commercial Litigation and Administrative Law, appearing at all levels of court in Ontario, before the British Columbia Court of Appeal, and before the Supreme Court of Canada.
Christopher Somerville
Chris Somerville has a record of diligent and resourceful advocacy in a wide range of cases. His experience and skills cover commercial and civil litigation in general, and securities litigation, administrative law, and employment disputes in particular.
