Publications
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An insurer ordered to pay damages – The Court of Appeal intervenes
On February 12, 2024, the Court of Appeal of Quebec handed down its decision in Société d’assurance Beneva inc. c. Bordeleau,1 dealing in particular with the burden of proof incumbent on an insurer when it denies coverage on the basis of an insured’s intentional fault, and an award of damages (…)
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Class actions to watch in 2024
Quebec is a fertile ground for class actions, with over 550 active cases and between 50 to 100 applications for authorization filed each year. While 2023 marked the fifth anniversary of the “new” class action division: what is there to watch in 2024? Read on to find out. Opioids and the State: (…)
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Bill 8: Amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure to improve access to justice
Introduction On February 1, 2023, Minister of Justice Simon Jolin-Barrette introduced and tabled in the National Assembly Bill 8 entitled An Act to improve justice efficiency and accessibility, in particular by promoting mediation and arbitration and by simplifying civil procedure in the Court of (…)
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Insurers: Two-headed hydras
On January 30, 2023, the Court of Appeal of Quebec rendered a decision in Commission scolaire De La Jonquière c. Intact Compagnie d’assurance.1 The key issues in this case are the potential for conflicts arising from liability insurance policies and the obligation to disclose documents where (…)
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Construction: An unwarranted contestation may be considered an abuse of procedure
In the decision in 9058-4004 Québec inc. c. 9337-9907 Québec inc.1 rendered on October 21, 2022, the court granted compensation to a subcontractor for its extrajudicial fees further to a general contractor’s unfounded contestation of its claim as part of a hypothecary action. The facts In (…)
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Sales without legal warranty at the buyers’ risk: Clarity is key
On July 15, 2022, Justice François Lebel of the Court of Québec rendered a decision1 confirming that, in the case of the sale of immovable property, a clear and unambiguous exclusion clause, whereby the warranty is waived at the buyer’s risk, results in a break in the chain of title preventing the (…)
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Bill C-18 (Online News Act): Canada looking to create a level playing field for news media
Earlier this month, Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez introduced Bill C-18 (Online News Act) in Parliament. This bill, which was largely inspired by similar legislation in Australia, aims to reduce bargaining imbalances between online platforms and Canadian news outlets in terms of how (…)
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The Supreme Court of Canada’s Decision in Prelco: The Application of Limitation of Liability Clauses in Case of a Breach of a Fundamental Obligation of a Contract
Introduction Non-liability clauses are often included in many types of contracts. In principle, they are valid and used to limit (limitation of liability clause) or eliminate (exoneration clause) the liability of a party with respect to its obligations contained in a contract. The recent unanimous (…)
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Adoption of Bill 64: what do public bodies need to know?
Bill 64, also known as the Act to modernize legislative provisions as regards the protection of personal information, was adopted on September 21, 2021, by the National Assembly of Québec. This new bill amends some 20 laws relating to the protection of personal information, including the Act (…)
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Amendments to Privacy Laws: What Businesses Need to Know
Bill 64, also known as the Act to modernize legislative provisions respecting the protection of personal information, was adopted on September 21, 2021, by the National Assembly of Québec. It amends some 20 laws relating to the protection of personal information, including the Act respecting access (…)
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How to Negotiate Temporary Agreements or Contracts in Times of Crisis?
The rapid spread of COVID-19 and the introduction of strict government measures are limiting or changing many businesses’ operations. These measures impose unusual restrictions that make it more difficult to meet certain contractual obligations. In such a situation, many companies will want to (…)
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The Impact of COVID-19 on Contracts
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, governments and agencies are implementing an increasing number of measures of all kinds. The state of emergency is giving rise to a multitude of legal concerns, in particular contractual ones. The temporary closure of many businesses, public places and borders and (…)
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Can an Expert Report be Inadmissible for Bias as a Preliminary Stage? The Superior Court of Quebec decides
The Code of Civil Procedure gives a party the ability to apply for the dismissal of an expert report as soon as it is disclosed by the adverse party. This process is governed by the courts. In the decision in Safran Nacelles v. Learjet inc.1, rendered in August 2019, the Superior Court granted an (…)
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Cyberattack: Superior Court dismisses application for authorization to institute a class action against Yahoo! Inc.
The Superior Court of Québec dismissed an application for authorization to institute a class action against Yahoo! Inc.1 (hereinafter “Yahoo!”) seeking damages as a result of cyberattacks that compromised the confidentiality of user data. Context In September 2016, Yahoo! issued a press release (…)
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A New Look at Interlocutory Injunctions
The year 2018 has been an important one for case law regarding injunctions: the Supreme Court of Canada and the Court of Appeal of Quebec each rendered decisions that redefined certain parameters for the issuing of a interlocutory injunction. R. v. Canadian Broadcasting Corp. On February 9, 2018, (…)
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Churchill Falls (Labrador) Corp. v. Hydro-Québec | The Supreme Court rules in favour of Hydro-Québec: the interaction between good faith and the scheme of the contract
Introduction Although 24 years of jurisprudence have gone by since its codification in article 1375 of the Civil Code of Québec, the notion of good faith remains a vague concept whose incidence on the performance of contracts is still unclear. Although it is increasingly evident that good faith is (…)
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Wellington-Type Motion And Reserve Of Rights Letter
On July 9, 2018, the Superior Court once again examined the principles applicable to Wellington-type motions in connection with a matter opposing two contractors against their liability insurers in a legal proceeding initiated by the Société des traversiers du Québec (hereafter “STQ”). The (…)
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Civil liability and personal injury: A harsh decision for a winter sports centre
The Court of Québec released an interesting judgment in December in a case involving civil liability and personal injury.1 On February 23, 2013, Plaintiff, Ms. Bourgault, went to Village Vacances Valcartier (“VVV”) to take part in a snow rafting activity. During a descent, she was twice thrown (…)
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The contract may remain in force despite misrepresentations or latent defects because the consumer has obligations too
This publication was authored by Luc Thibaudeau, former partner of Lavery and now judge in the Civil Division of the Court of Québec, District of Longueuil. The duty to inform is one of the main obligations sellers owe to their purchasers. This applies in the context of civil law, business law or (…)
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Standing Senate Committee of Canada's Transport and Communications issues report on driving of smart vehicles
Introduction In January 2018, the Senate's Standing Committee on Transport and Communications (hereinafter the "Committee"), chaired by the Hon. David Tkachuk, published a report on the impact of automated vehicles in the country at the behest of the Minister of Transport of Canada. The first (…)
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Directors in the crosshairs of the Supreme Court
In the context of the case of Wilson c. Alharayeri1 (“Wilson”), issued on July 13, 2017, the highest court of the land confirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal of Québec which ordered a corporate director personally to pay an amount of $648,310 to a shareholder following an abuse he committed (…)
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Arbitration and quasi-judicial tribunals: Must corporations and private bodies necessarily be represented by a lawyer?
While individuals (natural persons) may represent themselves and need not resort to a lawyer before the courts, a legal person or a corporation must necessarily be represented by a lawyer, both pursuant to the Code of Civil Procedure (articles 23, 86 and 87) as well as by reason of the acts reserved (…)
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Artificial Intelligence and the 2017 Canadian Budget: is your business ready?
The March 22, 2017 Budget of the Government of Canada, through its “Innovation and Skills Plan” (http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/docs/plan/budget-2017-en.pdf) mentions that Canadian academic and research leadership in artificial intelligence will be translated into a more innovative economy and (…)
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Disqualification of a law firm: the Superior Court broadens the spectre of conflicts of interest
In a decision rendered on December 1, 2016, the Superior Court of Québec had to rule on a situation which, until that time, was completely novel, and to determine whether lawyers can act in a court action against former employees of a client whom they still have to work with in connection with (…)
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The judicial review of a decision rendered by the Court of Québec in civil matters: an unusual remedy, although possible in some circumstances
The superintending and reforming power of the Superior Court of Québec over the decisions of the Court of Québec is indisputable. It is furthermore confirmed by article 34 of the Code of Civil Procedure1, which grants to the Superior Court powers to judicially review decisions made by the Québec (…)
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Changes to the Code of Civil procedure (Quebec) - Small claims: From $7,000 to $15,000
On January 1, 2015, the jurisdictional threshold of the Small Claims Court will be raised from $7,000 to $15,000. This constitutes a first step toward the modernization of civil procedure, explained the Minister of Justice, which will be followed by the coming into force of the new Code of Civil (…)
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Quarterly legal newsletter intended for accounting, management, and finance professionals, Number 24
CONTENTSNominees in the context of litigationUse of a nominee by limited partnerships and trusts for holding immovablesVoluntary registration for GST and QST purposes by a nomineeImmovables held by a nominee: Issues with respect to consumption taxesNOMINEES IN THE CONTEXT OF LITIGATIONLéa Maalouf (…)
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Quarterly legal newsletter intended for accounting, management, and finance professionals, Number 23
CONTENTS The 2014 Federal Budget Plan sounds the death knell for two family tax planning measures much appreciated by entrepreneurs and some professionals The Expert and the Court You signed a contract for services... with an employee? How to properly identify the relationship between the (…)
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Norwich orders recognized by the Court of Appeal of Québec - Financial institutions subject to duty to lend assistance in potential fraud files
On June 12, 2013, the Quebec Court of Appeal rendered a decision in the case of Fers et Métaux Américains S.E.C. et als v. Picard et als1 (“Fers et Métaux Américains S.E.C.”) confirming that the courts can issue Norwich-type orders in Quebec. This decision is consistent with the judgment (…)
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Quarterly legal newsletter intended for accounting, management, and finance professionals, Number 21
CONTENTS The Pros and Cons of Arbitration Clauses in Commercial Contracts Pirating and Using Software Without a Licence: The BSA | The Software Alliance Case Interprovincial Taxation: The Importance of Severing Residential Ties on Departure Security Under Section 427 of the Bank Act: Do the (…)
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Legal newsletter for business entrepreneurs and executives, Number 16
CONTENTS Some practical advice on the recording of customer phone calls in Quebec Employment placement agencies : who is responsible for the source deductions? What are your recourses if you believe a contract is about to be, or has been, awarded to another bidder? SOME PRACTICAL ADVICE ON (…)
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Quarterly legal newsletter intended for accounting, management, and finance professionals, Number 18
Are you ready? The harmonization of the QST and the GST may considerably impact your business or clients Sale of litigious rights : Beware of the redemption right Determining the purchase price of shares in a shareholder agreement: When “quiconque” (“any person”) (…)
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Francization – Bill No 14 amending the Charter of the French language
This publication was authored by Luc Thibaudeau, former partner of Lavery and now judge in the Civil Division of the Court of Québec, District of Longueuil. The title of this newsletter gives a good summary of the explanatory notes that serve as an introduction to Bill 14, entitled An Act to amend (…)
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Quarterly legal newsletter intended for accounting, management, and finance professionals, Number 15
Recourses Seeking Rectification Under the New Business Corporations Act You do Business in a Province Other than Quebec: Are You Required to Register Yourself? Resale Prices and Authorized Distributors: A Synopsis France Arms Itself Against Trusts
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Legal newsletter for business entrepreneurs and executives, Number 10
Integrating a Trust as a Shareholder of your Family business Noncompetition Covenants Applicable to Shareholders A Shareholder Agreement : The Essential Tool of the Private Corporation shareholder
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The Time Inc. v. Richard decision: the Fine Print Still the Subject of Much Debate
This publication was authored by Luc Thibaudeau, former partner of Lavery and now judge in the Civil Division of the Court of Québec, District of Longueuil. Article 219 of the Consumer Protection Act states that no merchant may, by any means whatsoever, make a false or misleading representation to (…)
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Legal newsletter for business entrepreneurs and executives, Number 2
Breakdown in negotiations — the binding effect of a letter of intent Being involved in finding solutions ! Bid-rigging - a Lesser known Offence in Competition Law
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The Consumer Protection Act will affect new contracts
This publication was authored by Luc Thibaudeau, former partner of Lavery and now judge in the Civil Division of the Court of Québec, District of Longueuil. On June 16 2009, the Minister of Justice introduced Bill 60 entitled An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection Act and Other Legislative (…)
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Class action and competition law: Toyota wins in the Court of Appeal
Class action and competition law: Toyota wins in the Court of Appeal
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Our Client Transat Tours Canada Inc. Prevails in the Supreme Court - A precedent Favourable to Canadian Businesses Is Established in a Matter Involving Injunctions and Private International Law
Our Client Transat Tours Canada Inc. Prevails in the Supreme Court - A precedent Favourable to Canadian Businesses Is Established in a Matter Involving Injunctions and Private International Law
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An Act to amend the Consumer Protection Act and the Act respecting the collection of certain debts: is your Website ready?
This publication was authored by Luc Thibaudeau, former partner of Lavery and now judge in the Civil Division of the Court of Québec, District of Longueuil. On November 9, 2006, the Minister of Justice introduced Bill 48, entitled An Act to amend the Consumer Protection Act and the Act respecting (…)
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Can a foreign court compel the examination of witnesses and the production of documents located in Quebec?
Assuming that a foreign court exercises the power to issue letters rogatory or to appoint a commission to examine a witness in Quebec and to ask him to produce some documents, how can that be carried out in Quebec and is there a "blocking statute" protecting some of the documents? We (…)
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Bankruptcy: RRSPs and Life Insurance Policies - The Supreme Court Rules on the Trustee's Rights
Bankruptcy: RRSPs and Life Insurance Policies - The Supreme Court Rules on the Trustee's Rights