Frivolous, vexatious, or abusive applications or proceedings: The Court of King’s Bench clarifies (and limits) the use of Civil Practice Note 7
Introduction On April 12, 2023, Associate Chief Justice Nielsen provided much needed clarity on the purpose of Alberta’s Civil Practice Note 7 (“CPN7”) entititled “Vexatious Application/Proceeding Show Cause Procedure (General Powers to Stay or Dismiss a Frivolous, Vexatious, or Abusive...
Do private investigators in Alberta owe a duty of care to a person they are investigating?
Introduction Do private investigators in Alberta owe a duty of care to a person they are investigating? The Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) and the courts of Alberta have yet to rule on this question, and there is conflicting case...
Confirming Alberta’s approach to specific performance: Kroetsch v Chick, 2023 ABKB 326
Introduction and overview Specific performance is an equitable remedy that can be ordered by a court to compel a person to perform a contractual obligation. This remedy is only available when monetary damages are inadequate. In the recent decision of...
Enforceability of non-competition clauses and damages for mental distress in commercial agreements: Ruel v Rebonne, 2023 ABCA 156
Introduction and overview In Ruel v Rebonne, 2023 ABCA 156,[1] the Alberta Court of Appeal (“ABCA”), upheld a 5-year non-competition clause in a purchase and sale agreement as being reasonable. In doing so, the Court confirmed the proper approach for...
The Alberta Court of Appeal cancels fishing expedition of corporate consultants: CNOOC Petroleum North America ULC v 801 Seventh Inc, 2023 ABCA 97
Introduction and overview The Alberta Court of Appeal’s decision in CNOOC Petroleum North America ULC v 801 Seventh Inc, 2023 ABCA 97 [CNOOC Petroleum] summarizes the discovery regime under the Alberta Rules of Court, Alta Reg 124/2010 [Rules], and provides...
The contractual duty of good faith and self-interest: Business Development Bank of Canada v Cummins, 2023 ABKB 173
Introduction In a breakdown of a contractual relationship, the “duty of good faith” is often touted by parties who feel that they have been treated unfairly. However, a recent decision by the Court of King’s Bench has clarified that the...
Recognizing and enforcing foreign judgments in Alberta
In our increasingly global community, disputes often do not adhere to traditional jurisdictional boundaries. The same holds true for the enforcement of judgments and orders. Increasingly, parties are looking to other provinces or countries to enforce their judgments. However, in...
Adjournment applications at critical junctures – A cautionary tale on expert evidence
Introduction and overview The Alberta Court of King’s Bench’s decision in Baldock Estate v Abou Reslan, 2023 ABKB 149 [Baldock Estate], reaffirms the test for granting an adjournment after the commencement of trial and provides insight into the Court’s assessment...
No more take-backs: Supreme Court of Canada restricts equitable remedies
Introduction In 2016, the Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) released their decision in Canada (Attorney General) v Fairmont Hotels Inc., 2016 SCC 56 (“Fairmont”), in which they restricted the availability of rectification, an equitable remedy whereby the court corrects error(s)...
New potential for oppression provisions of the Alberta Business Corporations Act
The Alberta Court of King’s Bench allowed a dismissed employee to use the oppression remedy for a severance claim in Wisser v. CEM International Management Consultants Ltd., 2022 ABQB 414. The dismissed employee successfully brought a claim as a creditor...
