Ontario Court of Appeal upholds decision declining to enforce cryptocurrency exchange arbitration agreement as contrary to public policy
Introduction In a recent decision in Lochan v Binance Holdings Limited, the Court of Appeal for Ontario upheld a Superior Court decision declining to stay a proposed class action in favour of arbitration, finding that the arbitration agreement effectively bars claims by imposing prohibitive costs on claimants. The Court further held that these clauses may also be void for being contrary to public policy and unconscionable. Background The defendant, Binance, is the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. It sold cryptocurrency derivatives to Canadians from 2019 through 2022 but failed to file a prospectus or register with the Ontario Securities Commission. In ... [more] Full article
Ontario’s Top Court upholds decision significantly limiting proposed securities class action against Barrick Gold
In its decision last week in Drywall Acoustic Lathing and Insulation (Pension Fund, Local 675) v. Barrick Gold Corporation, the Court of Appeal for Ontario has upheld the decision of ... [more] Full article
Superior Court Finds Arbitration Agreement for Crypto Trading Platform Unenforceable
In the recent decision, Lochan v. Binance Holdings Limited, 2023 ONSC 6714, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has demonstrated that the courts will find an arbitration agreement unenforceable when ... [more] Full article
Superior Court refuses leave to securities class action based on the difference between “Material Facts” and “Material Changes”
In a recent decision declining to grant leave under Part XXIII.1 of the Securities Act to proceed with a proposed class action on behalf of purchasers of securities on the ... [more] Full article
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Class Actions Contributors
Michael Binetti
Michael Binetti, a partner of the firm, brings a proven litigation background plus extensive experience in arguing both trials and appeals. He has demonstrated his strategic legal capability and expertise in wide-ranging areas of litigation. Michael’s peers and clients have commented that Michael is an “excellent and creative lawyer,” “finds unique solutions to complex problems,” and that “Michael gets it and knows how to win.”
Jeremy Brodeur, Articling Student
Jeremy joins AGM from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, where he was involved in the law student union and competitive mooting. During law school, Jeremy and his team reached the semi-final round of the Vis Moot, ranking near the top of 385 law schools in the global competition. Jeremy looks forward to putting his passion for advocacy into practice at AGM.
Adam Casey
Adam’s litigation practice includes a range of matters involving civil and commercial litigation, shareholder disputes, administrative law, competition law, and insurance defence. Adam joined AGM having completed his articles at a leading international law firm and graduated from the McGill University Faculty of Law.
- Supreme Court of Canada clarifies when fraud by senior management will be attributed to a corporation
- Supreme Court of Canada affirms jurisdiction of securities commissions over out-of-province parties
- Court of Appeal Comments on Knowledge Requirement for Torts of Knowing Assistance and Knowing Receipt
Kenneth A. Dekker
Kenneth 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 two decades, 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 Ontario Court of Justice, 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 also represents and advises clients in regulatory matters before the Investment Industry Organization of Canada (IIROC), the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA) and the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). Ken has been ranked as Repeatedly Recommended for Securities Litigation by Lexpert, for Corporate and Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers of Canada, and he has been given the highest available rating of AV, or pre-eminent, by his peers on Martindale-Hubbell.
Meredith Hayward
Meredith has earned an impressive reputation for her skill and abilities in Commercial Litigation and Administrative Law, appearing at all levels of court in Ontario, before the British Columbia Court of Appeal, and before the Supreme Court of Canada.
Masiel A. Matus
Masiel has a broad commercial litigation practice and represents both national and international clients in a variety of complex matters. Masiel has experience litigating cases involving professional negligence, commercial leasing and real property disputes, insurance, contract disputes, shareholder disputes, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, employment matters and defamation claims.
Ardita Sinojmeri
Ardita joins Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP as an Associate Lawyer after completing her articles with the firm. Her growing practice encompasses a broad range of litigation matters including securities litigation, insurance defence, employment disputes, and shareholder disputes. Ardita earned her Juris Doctor from Western University’s Faculty of Law. Prior to joining the firm, she participated in a number of initiatives aimed at helping individuals and businesses struggling through COVID-19. Ardita looks forward to putting her legal, business, and community engagement skills to use in all the firm’s practice areas.
David N. Vaillancourt
David's practice expertise focuses on all matters of Commercial and Civil Litigation, Competition and Administrative Law. David has acted for clients in a wide range of disputes, including shareholder and partnership disputes, securities litigation, class action defence, proceedings under the Competition Act, employment law disputes, contract disputes, breach of confidence/intellectual property disputes, fidelity bond claims, and professional negligence claims. David has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, including the Court of Appeal for Ontario, and has also appeared before the Competition Tribunal and the Federal Court of Appeal. David has appeared as lead counsel in numerous trials, hearings, and motions. David has been successful in numerous adversarial proceedings, and also has successfully negotiated the resolution of dozens of cases.
