Carr Estate v. Lyman Estate, (1981) 26 A.R. 581 (CA)

• Judge: McGillivray, C.J.A., Clement, Harradence, Kerans and Stevenson, JJ.A.
• Court: Court of Appeal (Alberta)
• Case Date: March 12, 1981
• Citations: (1981), 26 A.R. 581 (CA)

Carr Estate v. Lyman Estate (1981), 26 A.R. 581 (CA)

MLB headnote and full text

Carr's Estate v. Lyman's Estate

(12179)

Indexed As: Carr Estate v. Lyman Estate

Alberta Court of Appeal

McGillivray, C.J.A., Clement, Harradence, Kerans and Stevenson, JJ.A.

March 12, 1981.

Summary:

This case arose out of an action by Carr's estate against Lyman's estate for a declaration respecting the ownership of bonds in the possession of the deceased Lyman. A letter was found in Lyman's safety deposit box concerning circumstances surrounding his possession of the bonds. On balance the letter was more favourable to Lyman's interest than against it. Lyman's estate moved for determination before trial of the question whether the letter was admissible as a statement against the interest of Lyman. The Alberta Supreme Court, Trial Division, in a judgment reported 17 A.R. 420, held that the letter was not admissible. Lyman's estate appealed.

The Alberta Court of Appeal allowed the appeal and held that the letter was admissible - see paragraphs 1 to 51.

McGillivray, C.J.A., dissenting, was of the opinion that the letter was not a statement against interest and was inadmissible - see paragraphs 52 to 58.

Evidence - Topic 1550

Hearsay rule exceptions - Statements against interest - General principles - The Alberta Court of Appeal after a thorough examination of the authorities held that a letter of a deceased containing a statement against interest was admissible, notwithstanding that it contained matter favouring the deceased's interest - The court held that once admitted the effect of the letter is merely one of weight - See paragraphs 1 to 51.

Cases Noticed:

Higham v. Ridgway (1808), 103 E.R. 717, appld. [para. 7].

Sussex Peerage Case, The (1844), 8 E.R. 1034, refd to. [para. 8].

Davies v. Humphreys (1840), 151 E.R. 361, appld. [para. 9].

Doe d. William Kinglake v. Beviss (1849), 137 E.R. 181, consd. [para. 10].

R. v. Birmingham Overseers (1861), 1 B. & S. 763; 121 E.R. 897, appld. [para. 11].

R. v. Governors of Exeter (1869), L.R. 4 Q.B. 341, appld. [para. 12].

Taylor v. Witham (1876), 3 Ch.D. 605, appld. [para. 13].

Coward v. Motor Insurers' Bureau, [1962] 1 All E.R. 531, appld. [para. 16].

Confederation Life Association of Canada v. O'Donnell (1886), 13 S.C.R. 218, dist. [para. 18].

Ganton v. Size et al. (1863), 22 U.C.Q.B. 473, consd. [para. 19].

Anderson v. Anderson (1906), 37 N.B.R. 432, appld. [para. 20].

Clergue v. Plummer (1916), 37 O.L.R. 432, appld. [para. 21].

McDonald et al. v. Young, [1943] 3 D.L.R. 172, appld. [para. 22].

Borrezee v. Bingham, [1940] 1 W.W.R. 561, appld. [para. 23].

Polak v. Polak (1962), 41 W.W.R.(N.S.) 160, appld. [para. 24].

R. v. Demeter (1977), 75 D.L.R.(3d) 251; 16 N.R. 46 (S.C.C.), dist. [para. 27].

Lloyd v. Powell Duffryn Steam Coal Co., [1913] 2 K.B. 130, revd. [1914] A.C. 733, dist. [para. 28].

Massey v. Allen (1879), 13 Ch.D. 558, not folld. [para. 30].

Edwards, Ex parte (1884), 14 Q.B.D. 415, consd. [para. 33].

Revell, Ex parte (1884), 13 Q.B.D. 720, refd to. [para. 33].

R. v. Demeter (1976), 25 C.C.C.(2d) 4017, consd. [para. 34].

Van Beelen, Re (1974), 9 S.A.S.R. 163, consd. [para. 34].

R. v. Agawa and Mallet (1975), 28 C.C.C.(2d) 379, consd. [para. 34].

Doe d. Rowlandson v. Wainwright (1838), 112 E.R. 1000, consd. [para. 35].

Ward v. Pitt and Co., [1913] 2 K.B. 130, consd. [para. 44].

Ares v. Venner, [1970] S.C.R. 608, refd to. [para. 47].

Smith v. Blakey (1867), L.R. 2 Q.B. 326, appld. [para. 49]; refd to. [para. 32].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Jefferson, Bernard S., Declarations Against Interest; An Exception to the Hearsay Rule (1944), 58 Harvard L. Rev. 1 [para. 45].

Wigmore on Evidence (11th Ed.), vol. 1, pp. 463-464 [para. 22].

Counsel:

D.R. Haigh, for the appellants;

N.T. De Meza, for the respondent.

This case was heard before CLEMENT, J.A., McGILLIVRAY, C.J.A., HARRADENCE, KERANS and STEVENSON, JJ.A., of the Alberta Court of Appeal.

On March 12, 1981, the judgment of the Court of Appeal was delivered and the following opinions were filed:

CLEMENT, J.A. - see paragraphs 1 to 39;

KERANS, J.A. - see paragraphs 40 to 51;

McGILLIVRAY, C.J.A., dissenting - see paragraphs 52 to 58.

STEVENSON, J.A., concurred with KERANS, J.A.

HARRADENCE, J.A., concurred with McGILLIVRAY, C.J.A.