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Episode 1 | The Multijurisdictional Maze

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Overview

Most class actions in Canada have a multijurisdictional or national component. Unlike the U.S., however, Canada does not have a federal court system of generalized jurisdiction to coordinate such proceedings. In our first episode, we explain what is needed for defendants to succeed when navigating this “multijurisdictional maze”.

  

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We approach class action litigation with one goal: to win, either in court or through strategically negotiated settlements. We have an experienced legal team that can advocate for you, develop a strong tactical response, and help you navigate the Canadian maze. 

Contact the Authors

For more information or to discuss a particular matter please contact us.

Contact the Authors

Team

Primary Contacts
  • Mirna Kaddis, Associate, Montréal, QC, +1 514 397 7484, mkaddis@fasken.com
  • Andrew Borrell, Partner, Vancouver, BC, +1 604 631 3195, aborrell@fasken.com
  • Michael Parrish, Partner, Vancouver, BC, +1 604 631 4863, mparrish@fasken.com
  • Tracey M. Cohen, KC, FCIArb, Partner, Vancouver, BC, +1 604 631 3149, tcohen@fasken.com
  • Zohaib I. Maladwala, Partner, Toronto, ON, +1 416 868 3453, zmaladwala@fasken.com
  • Peter J. Pliszka, Partner | CHAIR, LIFE SCIENCES LITIGATION | CHAIR, PRODUCT LIABILITY & INSURANCE GROUP, Toronto, ON, +1 416 868 3336, ppliszka@fasken.com
  • Noah Boudreau, Partner, Montréal, QC, +1 514 394 4521, nboudreau@fasken.com
  • Vera Toppings, Partner, Toronto, ON, +1 416 865 5136, vtoppings@fasken.com
Mirna Kaddis, Associate | Litigation and Dispute Resolution Mirna Kaddis Associate Montréal, QC +1 514 397 7484
Andrew Borrell, Partner | Litigation and Dispute Resolution Andrew Borrell Partner Vancouver, BC +1 604 631 3195
Michael Parrish, Partner | Product Liability Michael Parrish Partner Vancouver, BC +1 604 631 4863
Tracey M. Cohen, Partner | Commercial Litigation Tracey M. Cohen, KC, FCIArb Partner Vancouver, BC +1 604 631 3149
Zohaib Maladwala Toronto Lawyer Zohaib I. Maladwala Partner Toronto, ON +1 416 868 3453
Peter J Pliszka Toronto Lawyer Peter J. Pliszka Partner | CHAIR, LIFE SCIENCES LITIGATION | CHAIR, PRODUCT LIABILITY & INSURANCE GROUP Toronto, ON +1 416 868 3336
Noah Boudreau Avocat/Associate Montréal Noah Boudreau Partner Montréal, QC +1 514 394 4521
Vera Toppings, Partner | Litigation and Dispute Resolution Vera Toppings Partner Toronto, ON +1 416 865 5136

Authors

  • Peter J. Pliszka, Partner | CHAIR, LIFE SCIENCES LITIGATION | CHAIR, PRODUCT LIABILITY & INSURANCE GROUP, Toronto, ON, +1 416 868 3336, ppliszka@fasken.com
  • Zohaib I. Maladwala, Partner, Toronto, ON, +1 416 868 3453, zmaladwala@fasken.com
  • Noah Boudreau, Partner, Montréal, QC, +1 514 394 4521, nboudreau@fasken.com
  • Mirna Kaddis, Associate, Montréal, QC, +1 514 397 7484, mkaddis@fasken.com
  • Paul J. Martin, Partner, Toronto, ON, +1 416 865 4439, pmartin@fasken.com
  • Gulu Punia, Partner, Calgary, AB, +1 403 261 5509, gpunia@fasken.com
  • Tracey M. Cohen, KC, FCIArb, Partner, Vancouver, BC, +1 604 631 3149, tcohen@fasken.com
Peter J Pliszka Toronto Lawyer Peter J. Pliszka Partner | CHAIR, LIFE SCIENCES LITIGATION | CHAIR, PRODUCT LIABILITY & INSURANCE GROUP Toronto, ON +1 416 868 3336
Zohaib Maladwala Toronto Lawyer Zohaib I. Maladwala Partner Toronto, ON +1 416 868 3453
Noah Boudreau Avocat/Associate Montréal Noah Boudreau Partner Montréal, QC +1 514 394 4521
Mirna Kaddis, Associate | Litigation and Dispute Resolution Mirna Kaddis Associate Montréal, QC +1 514 397 7484
Paul Martin Toronto Lawyer Paul J. Martin Partner Toronto, ON +1 416 865 4439
Gulu Punia, Partner | Litigation and Dispute Resolution Gulu Punia Partner Calgary, AB +1 403 261 5509
Tracey M. Cohen, Partner | Commercial Litigation Tracey M. Cohen, KC, FCIArb Partner Vancouver, BC +1 604 631 3149

Related Solutions

Practices

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    • Episode 2 - The Rarity of Pre-Certification Discovery, In our second episode, we explain the limits of pre-certification discovery, as well as related procedural differences between different Canadian jurisdictions. In contrast to U.S. practices, pre-certification discovery is rare in Canadian class actions — and procedural differences across Canada further highlight the benefit of a legal team with national expertise.
    • Episode 3 | The Knockout Punch of Pre-Certification Motions, Some pre-certification motions are available in Canada that can put an end to, or significantly narrow, a proposed class action. In our third episode, we highlight different approaches across Canadian jurisdictions to such motions — including recent legislative changes and trends in the case law.
    • Episode 4 | The Contrasting Criteria for Certification Motions, Our fourth episode goes through the five-part test for certification applicable in Canadian jurisdictions except Quebec. We explain what elements of this test are common battlegrounds, how they fit together, and recent legislative changes and case law developments across Canada affecting defence strategy. We also explain the test for class action authorization in Quebec.
    • Episode 5 | The Hard-Fought End of Settlement or Trial, The Canadian experience with class action resolution is very similar to the U.S. — most cases settle and very few proceed to trial. In our fifth and final episode, we highlight key decision-points in the resolution of class proceedings, the challenges associated with coordinating settlements on a national scale, and the importance of case assessment in evaluating options available to defendants.
    womans hands in meeting Resource Episode 2 - The Rarity of Pre-Certification Discovery In our second episode, we explain the limits of pre-certification discovery, as well as related procedural differences between different Canadian jurisdictions. In contrast to U.S. practices, pre-certification discovery is rare in Canadian class actions — and procedural differences across Canada further highlight the benefit of a legal team with national expertise. Read more
    womans hands in meeting Resource Episode 3 | The Knockout Punch of Pre-Certification Motions Some pre-certification motions are available in Canada that can put an end to, or significantly narrow, a proposed class action. In our third episode, we highlight different approaches across Canadian jurisdictions to such motions — including recent legislative changes and trends in the case law. Read more
    womans hands in meeting Resource Episode 4 | The Contrasting Criteria for Certification Motions Our fourth episode goes through the five-part test for certification applicable in Canadian jurisdictions except Quebec. We explain what elements of this test are common battlegrounds, how they fit together, and recent legislative changes and case law developments across Canada affecting defence strategy. We also explain the test for class action authorization in Quebec. Read more
    womans hands in meeting Resource Episode 5 | The Hard-Fought End of Settlement or Trial The Canadian experience with class action resolution is very similar to the U.S. — most cases settle and very few proceed to trial. In our fifth and final episode, we highlight key decision-points in the resolution of class proceedings, the challenges associated with coordinating settlements on a national scale, and the importance of case assessment in evaluating options available to defendants. Read more

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