Civil and Commercial Litigation

We’re proud to announce that four of our lawyers were named “Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation Canada for 2023: Patrick Henry, Lynne Kassie, Hugues Duguay and Vikki Andrighetti. Congratulations for this accomplishment!

There is a theory in civil liability called “assumption of risk”. This well-enshrined notion is based on the premise that an individual who willingly participates in a risky or dangerous activity and is aware of the inherent risks associated thereto cannot claim damages if he is injured when this risk or danger materializes. Two recent […]

This paper was written under a partnership with the Montreal Association of Insurance Women. Quebec’s Automobile Insurance Act, CQLR c A-25 [Act], is the object of abundant jurisprudence. The courts are frequently called upon to determine the field of application of the State regime, the object of which is to facilitate prompt compensation of the […]

The recent decision in Nguyen c. Succession de Durand, 2022 QCCS 3224 provides a useful illustration of the legal principles which apply in the event of a claim for damages for latent defects. The Superior Court reiterated that a buyer’s obligation to inspect a residence prior to purchase is limited in scope and that the […]

Quebec law allows for the recognition and enforcement of judgments rendered by foreign courts. Although these decisions are rendered according to foreign laws, can or must Quebec courts take into consideration the Quebec and Canadian public order principles in deciding whether to recognize such judgments? In Awanda c. AMBC Ventures Inc., 2022 QCCA 1133, the […]

The Civil Code of Québec [Code] provides special protection to businesses and workers in the construction industry: 2726. A legal hypothec in favour of the persons having taken part in the construction or renovation of an immovable may not charge any other immovable. It exists only in favour of the architect, engineer, supplier of materials, […]

On August 12, 2022, in Palmer v. Teva Canada Ltd., 2022 ONSC 4690, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice dismissed an application for authorization to bring a class action against the manufacturers of a hypertension drug sold under the generic name of valsartan. The application was filed in 2018, a few days after the manufacturers […]

Profile of Martin Côté Martin Côté is a lawyer, and a partner in our Civil and Commercial Litigation practice. He is the author of the fall edition of our revamped newsletter. Over the past few years, he has developed extensive expertise, especially in defamation cases and in matters related to university education. Have a look […]

In Mitchell c. Procureur général du Québec, 2022 QCCS 2983, Madam Justice Chantal Corriveau of the Superior Court has just suspended the coming into force of sections 9 and 208.6 of the Charter of the French Language as amended by An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec, better known as Bill […]

While looking for a home, you fall for a century-old residence: what should you do? Make sure you carry out certain verifications before closing the sale. Although the legal warranty of quality applies regardless of the building’s age, courts generally have more stringent expectations towards buyers of older properties. The Superior Court illustrated this in […]