Civil Litigation. Decisive advocacy when the outcome matters.

Disputes arising from business relationships — broken agreements, partnership fallouts, unpaid invoices, breaches of fiduciary duty and business torts.

Common Disputes

Breach of contract, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, conspiracy, inducing breach of contract and oppression claims.

The Legal Process

Most commercial claims proceed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, beginning with pleadings, followed by documentary and oral discovery, mediation (mandatory in Toronto, Ottawa and Windsor), pre-trial conference and trial. Many resolve at or before mediation.

When to Contact a Lawyer

Engage counsel the moment a dispute becomes likely — before you send that email, terminate that agreement or miss a limitation period. Ontario's basic limitation period is two years from discovery of the claim.

Enforcement, defence and interpretation of written and oral agreements — from commercial supply contracts to agreements of purchase and sale.

Common Disputes

Non-payment, non-performance, repudiation, termination disputes, warranty claims, restrictive covenant enforcement and disputes over ambiguous terms.

The Legal Process

We begin with a rigorous review of the contract, correspondence and conduct of the parties. Depending on the amount and complexity, claims proceed in Small Claims Court (up to $50,000), or the Superior Court under simplified ($250,000 or less) or ordinary procedure.

When to Contact a Lawyer

Before you breach, terminate or accept a repudiation. The steps you take in the first days of a contract dispute often determine the outcome.

Disputes over land — failed closings, deposit disputes, title issues, boundary disputes, easements, and claims for specific performance or damages.

Common Disputes

Buyers or sellers refusing to close, misrepresentation about a property's condition, deposit forfeiture, certificate of pending litigation motions, co-ownership disputes and construction deficiencies.

The Legal Process

Real estate disputes often begin with urgent motions — a certificate of pending litigation to tie up the property, or an order for the return or forfeiture of a deposit. We move quickly to protect your position in the property itself.

When to Contact a Lawyer

Immediately upon a threatened or failed closing. Rights and remedies — including the ability to claim the deposit or seek specific performance — depend on prompt, correct action.

Recovery remedies for lenders when borrowers default — power of sale, judicial sale, foreclosure, actions on the covenant and possession proceedings.

Common Disputes

Payment default, maturity default, failure to insure, unauthorized secondary financing, and disputes over discharge statements, priorities and surplus funds.

The Legal Process

For most Ontario private lenders, power of sale under the Mortgages Act is the fastest remedy: notice of sale after 15 days of default, a 35-day redemption period, then listing and sale. We concurrently pursue judgment on the covenant and writs of possession where required.

When to Contact a Lawyer

At the first missed payment. Early, procedurally perfect enforcement preserves priority, maximizes recovery and avoids the technical defences borrowers' counsel look for.

Judgment and enforcement work for businesses and individuals owed money — from demand letter to garnishment, writs of seizure and sale, and examinations in aid of execution.

Common Disputes

Unpaid loans, dishonoured cheques, unpaid invoices and accounts receivable, guarantees, and enforcement of foreign and domestic judgments.

The Legal Process

We assess collectability first — a judgment is only as good as the assets behind it. We then pursue the most cost-effective path: demand, claim, default or summary judgment, followed by garnishment, writs and debtor examinations.

When to Contact a Lawyer

Before the debtor's assets move. Fraudulent conveyance and preference remedies exist, but prevention through early action is far cheaper than unwinding transfers.

Claims involving construction liens, breach of trust under the Construction Act, deficiencies, delay and non-payment across the construction pyramid.

Common Disputes

Unpaid contractors and subcontractors, lien preservation and perfection, holdback disputes, deficiency claims and prompt payment adjudication.

The Legal Process

Ontario's Construction Act imposes strict timelines: liens must generally be preserved within 60 days and perfected within 90. Prompt payment rules and adjudication offer a rapid interim remedy. We act for owners, contractors and subcontractors.

When to Contact a Lawyer

The moment payment slows or deficiencies are alleged. Lien rights expire quickly and cannot be revived.

Disputes among business owners — oppression remedy applications, derivative actions, buyout disputes, deadlock and breakups of closely held corporations.

Common Disputes

Squeeze-outs of minority shareholders, misappropriation of corporate opportunities, unauthorized compensation, breaches of shareholder agreements and valuation disputes.

The Legal Process

The oppression remedy under Ontario's Business Corporations Act is broad and flexible — courts can order buyouts, compensation or governance changes. Many disputes resolve through negotiated exits once leverage is established.

When to Contact a Lawyer

As soon as trust breaks down. Positioning — who controls the corporation, the records and the narrative — matters enormously in shareholder litigation.

Emergency court orders that preserve assets, restrain conduct or maintain the status quo — interim, interlocutory and Mareva injunctions, and certificates of pending litigation.

Common Disputes

Freezing a defendant's assets, restraining a breach of restrictive covenant, stopping the dissipation of company funds and preserving property pending trial.

The Legal Process

Injunctions require evidence of a serious issue, irreparable harm and a favourable balance of convenience — assembled in days, not months. We prepare urgent motion records and appear on short notice, including without notice where justified.

When to Contact a Lawyer

Immediately. Injunctions are won or lost on speed and the quality of the initial evidentiary record.

A powerful procedural tool to win — or defeat — a claim without trial where there is no genuine issue requiring one.

Common Disputes

Debt claims, guarantee enforcement, mortgage actions and disputes turning on documents rather than credibility.

The Legal Process

Since the Supreme Court's decision in Hryniak v. Mauldin, Ontario courts embrace summary judgment as a proportionate route to justice. A well-built motion record can collapse years of litigation into months.

When to Contact a Lawyer

Early — the case should be constructed from the outset with the summary judgment record in mind.

Appellate advocacy before the Divisional Court and the Court of Appeal for Ontario, including motions for leave to appeal and stays pending appeal.

Common Disputes

Appeals from final judgments, interlocutory orders, summary judgment decisions and costs awards.

The Legal Process

Appeal routes and deadlines are strict — often 30 days from the order. Appellate work is a distinct craft: identifying extractable legal error, perfecting the record and delivering precise written and oral argument.

When to Contact a Lawyer

The day the decision is released. Preserving appeal rights, obtaining stays and ordering transcripts are all time-sensitive.