Business Litigation

Resolving Disputes Before and During Litigation

Lawyers on the Business Litigation Team are experienced in resolving disputes before they reach court, offering strategies to avoid conflict while protecting your rights. When resolution is impossible, we have experience representing clients in court proceedings and administrative hearings at every level, up to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Arbitration

Arbitration employs a neutral third party, the arbitrator, who is selected by the parties to adjudicate on the matter. Effective arbitration can significantly reduce the time required to resolve a dispute, saving the client the inconvenience and costs associated with court proceedings.

Construction

Construction projects can be capital-intensive and involve disputes between contractors, subcontractors and other parties. These disputes may necessitate litigation. We assist clients in filing and/or vacating Builders’ Liens. We advise clients regarding the Occupational Health and Safety Act and tender requests from government agencies.

Corporate & Shareholder Disputes

Conflict within a corporation directly affects its ability to operate successfully. Our team of lawyers has experience with all aspects of dispute resolution between shareholders and corporations. We have acted on behalf of corporations, as well as both majority and minority shareholders, regarding shareholder disputes.

Debt Collection

It is a common occurrence for a business to face the situation of having delinquent accounts on its records. We focus on initiating lawsuits on behalf of creditors for the efficient recovery of outstanding debts.

Defamation

Defamation occurs on the internet, television, in newspapers, or through speech, although the defamatory statement(s) must reach a third party. We have significant experience litigating and defending defamation lawsuits.

Employment Litigation

We act in all aspects of labour relations and Employment Law on behalf of both employers and employees. We represent institutional clients, private businesses, and individuals in employment disputes.

Environmental

Navigating federal and provincial environmental regulations requires experience. We can offer advice on strategies to resolve complaints and can defend complaints that cannot be resolved.

Insolvency & Restructuring

Companies and individuals may face challenging solvency issues in an ever-changing economy. We act for secured and unsecured creditors, trustees, monitors and receivers in insolvency matters, including the enforcement of security and providing advice during bankruptcy or restructuring.

Insurance Litigation

We represent plaintiffs and insurance companies in a variety of individual and commercial cases. Our litigators have represented individuals and commercial clients across Canada as well as in the United States. We advise insurance companies regarding their liability and exposure under various policies.

Mediation

In the mediation process, the parties or their representatives, together with an impartial third party, the mediator, work together to try to arrive at a solution that is acceptable to both sides. We recognize that effective mediation can significantly reduce the time required to resolve a dispute, saving clients both time and money.

Professional Negligence

We advise and act for a number of self-regulating professions, including lawyers, accountants, engineers, and various medical and allied health professions. We advise and act on behalf of these professions regarding corporate governance, professional standards, discipline, and aspects of the law that impact these professions in negligence suits.

Property, Lease & Contract Disputes

When landlords, tenants, vendors, purchasers and homeowners are involved in a contract with another party, there are many conditions put in place to ensure that all sides hold up their end of the bargain. In many instances, the agreements run smoothly throughout their duration. However, this may not always be the case, for which litigation may be the only viable option to achieve a resolution.

Securities Matters

We have acted for numerous issuers, underwriters/agents, and other market participants in respect of corporate finance matters, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, regulatory matters, and securities litigation. Our team of lawyers has extensive experience advising clients on the regulatory regimes governing the issuance and trading of securities.

Small Claims Court

The Small Claims Court of Nova Scotia handles claims with a value of $25,000 or less. The Court offers a more economical and efficient method of litigating these claims than the traditional litigation process. We represent both claimants and defendants in Small Claims Court for legal claims and taxations.