IIROC guidance highlights limitations on limitation of liability clauses in retail client account agreements
On October 10, 2019, the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) issued what it called a Guidance Note regarding exclusion of liability clauses in retail client account agreements that it sees as inconsistent with investment dealers’ regulatory obligations. IIROC published this guidance after noticing objectionable clauses in its review of investment dealers’ agreements that either purport to exclude dealers’ liability for client losses completely, arbitrarily limit damages from breaches by the dealer, or attempt to relieve dealers from securities law obligations, such as suitability. Examples of objectionable clauses are cited in the Note, including the following: “Customer agrees not ... [more] Full article
Foreign Online Trading Platforms Pay Steep Fines to OSC
The Ontario Securities Commission recently approved settlement agreements with two online trading platforms that were alleged to have contravened Ontario securities laws by engaging in unregistered selling of derivatives and ... [more] Full article
Alberta court declines to certify class action alleging negligent performance of investment advisory services
A proposed class proceeding for alleged negligent performance of investment advisory services was recently denied certification by the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta. In Fisher v Richardson GMP Limited, ... [more] Full article
Potential Plaintiffs Cannot Force IIROC to Give Up Information about Potential Defendants
In Harrington Global Opportunities Fund S.A.R.I. and Harrington Global Inc. (“Harrington”) v. Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (“IIROC”), Justice Perell largely foreclosed the possibility of wronged investors obtaining a Norwich Order in order to get information and documentation from IIROC prior to initiating an action. [more] Full article
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Securities Litigation Contributors
Karen Bernofsky
Karen Bernofsky is a strong advocate with a focus on commercial litigation and delivering cost-effective solutions. She advises and represents clients in a broad range of complex insurance matters, construction matters and commercial disputes, including breach of contract and invoice disputes. Karen is also a skilled negotiator with a proven track record in effective mediation advocacy. She has appeared before all levels of courts and administrative tribunals in Ontario as well as before the Federal Court of Canada.
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.
Jennifer Dyck
Jennifer Dyck is a former associate of Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP
Christian Farahat
Christian Farahat is a former associate of Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP
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.
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.
- Alberta court declines to certify class action alleging negligent performance of investment advisory services
- Court of Appeal upholds stay of secondary market misrepresentation claim on jurisdictional grounds
- Simply creating a website for a business is not unregistered trading or “an act in furtherance of a trade”, court rules
Jacob Millar (Articling Student)
Jacob Millar is a versatile lawyer who as a law student and articling student has gained experience in civil and criminal litigation and administrative matters in Ontario, Nova Scotia and the U.K. As an associate with the firm, Jacob represents and advises clients in all manner of commercial disputes and competition law matters.
Sandra Monardo
Sandra Monardo is a former associate of Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP
W. Michael G. Osborne
Michael Osborne is a former Partner of Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP
Kyle J. Peterson*
Kyle's commercial litigation and advocacy practice offers particular expertise in securities, insurance, construction and employment disputes. A fierce advocate for clients, Kyle has a proven ability to approach client issues in a strategic manner, always balancing their business and commercial interests with their legal rights. Kyle's clients benefit from his experience in business and politics, and appreciate his common sense and results-driven style. * Presently on leave of absence from the Firm. Kyle Peterson was elected as a Member of the House of Commons of the Canadian Parliament in the 2015 Canadian Federal Election.
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.
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.
Brigid Wilkinson
Brigid Wilkinson is a former associate of Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP
Hooman Zargarzadeh (Former Articling Student)
Hooman Zargarzadeh formerly an Articling Student with Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP
