Class counsel are not permitted to pay off their rival firm using proceeds from the settlement funds in order to avoid competing actions, the Ontario Court of Appeal recently held. This type of payment arrangement was first brought before the Superior Court for approval in the Visa/MasterCard Class Actions, in the form of a fee sharing agreement. Both the Superior Court and the Court of Appeal rejected the agreement on the on ground that it was not in the best interests of the class members. The Visa/MasterCard Class Actions Beginning in 2010, a number of class actions were brought in several provinces across Canada, on behalf of merchants who accepted ... [more] Full article
A court may hear a price fixing action against foreign defendants that never had any business presence in the jurisdiction if the defendants allegedly participated in a conspiracy that impacted the ... [more] Full article
Superior Court judges can sit outside their home provinces, the Supreme Court held today. This decision will facilitate the management of national class actions and other inter-provincial litigation in Canada. The ... [more] Full article
The plaintiffs in these class actions claim that rules established by the Visa and MasterCard networks constitute a conspiracy to fix the fees that merchants pay (namely, merchant discount rates and interchange fees), contrary to section 45 of the Competition Act. [more] Full article
Michael Binetti*, Managing Partner of Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP, brings a wealth of litigation experience, with extensive expertise in both trials and appeals. Known for his strategic legal acumen, Michael has consistently demonstrated his ability to navigate complex cases and deliver successful outcomes across a wide range of litigation areas. Peers and clients alike praise Michael as an “excellent and creative lawyer” who “finds unique solutions to complex problems” and “knows how to win.” Recognized for his dedication and professionalism, he is described as a “strong advocate who always looks out for the best interests of his clients” and provides “timely, honest, and extremely valuable counsel.” Michael’s reputation for excellence is underscored by his inclusion in ranking services such as Best Lawyers, Lexology, and Lexpert.
Ken 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 25 years, 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 Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court and the Court of Appeal for Ontario, as well as before the Supreme Court of Canada. Ken has also represented and advised clients in regulatory matters before the Investment Industry Organization of Canada (IIROC), the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA), both of which are now known as the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO). Ken has also represented clients before the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), the Financial Planning Canada Standards Council (FPCSC), and the CPA Ontario Tribunal. Ken has been ranked for Corporate and Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers of Canada, for Securities Litigation by Lexpert, and he has been given the highest available rating of AV, or pre-eminent, by his peers on "Martindale-Hubbell."
Masiel, a Partner of the firm, has a broad commercial litigation practice and represents both national and international clients in a variety of complex business matters. Masiel has expertise in cases involving shareholder disputes, contract disputes, corporate fraud, commercial leasing and real property disputes, breach of trust, professional negligence, D&O claims, and employment matters. Masiel is a tough-minded advocate dedicated to obtaining results for her clients.
Chris brings a creative, strategic, and practical approach to litigation. His wide-ranging experience and expertise encompass numerous areas of law, including corporate/commercial, securities, employment, construction, product liability, asset recovery, and administrative law. Chris has represented clients as lead counsel at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Court of Appeal for Ontario, and Ontario Securities Commission. Beyond Ontario courts and tribunals, Chris has advocated before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, Canada Border Services Agency, and the Federal Court of Appeal. He is proud to have acted for national and international corporations, investment dealers and advisors, insurance companies, labour unions, charities, high-net-worth individuals, and working families. Chris is also honoured to be legal counsel for the Canadian Crime Stoppers Association and Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers. He has published on the subject of informer privilege in The Advocates’ Journal and has presented at the Canadian Institute’s Law of Policing Conference. Before private practice, Chris received the John Yaremko Award in Human Rights during law school at the University of Toronto. He also mooted in French at the Laskin constitutional and administrative law competition, and his team won First Place Pair and Second Place Factum.
David is a determined and committed advocate for his clients. David has extensive courtroom experience, having successfully appeared as lead counsel in trials, hearings, motions, and appeals. David is also a skillful negotiator, having successfully negotiated the resolution of numerous cases. David is ranked as a leading practitioner in competition law by both Lexpert and Who’s Who Legal, and has been recognized by Best Lawyers for his expertise in corporate and commercial litigation, and competition law. David is also rated as AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell (the highest rating possible), with his peers at competitor law firms noting that David is an “excellent lawyer and advocate”, he is “diligent and creative in his approach”, and “is capable of taking charge in the largest commercial and insurance claims”. David has a broad practice in commercial litigation, insurance law, and competition law.
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