CIBC Life Insurance Co. v. Hupman,

• Jurisdiction: Nova Scotia
• Judge: Barnett
• Neutral Citation: 2015 NSSM 48
• Citation: (2015), 367 N.S.R.(2d) 285 (SmCl),2015 NSSM 48,367 NSR(2d) 285,(2015), 367 NSR(2d) 285 (SmCl),367 N.S.R.(2d) 285
• Date: 09 November 2015
• Court: Small Claims Court of Nova Scotia (Canada)

CIBC Life v. Hupman (2015), 367 N.S.R.(2d) 285 (SmCl);

    1157 A.P.R. 285

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [2015] N.S.R.(2d) TBEd. DE.019

CIBC Life Insurance Company Limited (applicant) v. Bette Hupman (respondent)

(440050; 2015 NSSM 48)

Indexed As: CIBC Life Insurance Co. v. Hupman

Nova Scotia Small Claims Court

Barnett, Adjudicator

December 3, 2015.

Summary:

CIBC Life Insurance Company Ltd. refused Hupman's claim for benefits under an accidental death insurance plan. Hupman commenced a small claims action against CIBC. Although CIBC was served via its recognized agent, it did not file a defence or appear at the hearing. An adjudicator granted Hupman's claim. CIBC applied to set aside the adjudicator's order pursuant to s. 23 of the Small Claims Court Act.

The Nova Scotia Small Claims Court dismissed the application.

Courts - Topic 6204.1

Provincial courts - Nova Scotia - Small Claims - Jurisdiction - General - [See Practice - Topic 9770 ].

Courts - Topic 6209

Provincial courts - Nova Scotia - Small Claims Court - Jurisdiction - Adjudicator - [See Practice - Topic 9770 ].

Practice - Topic 6250

Judgments and orders - Setting aside orders - Jurisdiction - [See Practice - Topic 9770 ].

Practice - Topic 9768

Small claims - Jurisdiction - Bars - [See Practice - Topic 9770 ].

Practice - Topic 9770

Small claims - Judgment - Setting aside - Hupman commenced a small claims action against CIBC - Although CIBC was served via its recognized agent, it did not file a defence or appear at the hearing - The adjudicator accepted documents, heard viva voce evidence from Hupman, and granted Hupman's claim - CIBC applied to set aside the adjudicator's order pursuant to s. 23 of the Small Claims Court Act - The Nova Scotia Small Claims Court dismissed the application for lack of jurisdiction - There was no statutory basis for setting aside the order - An adjudicator had no authority under s. 23 to reconsider his or her order that was granted where (a) the defendant did not file a defence; (b) the defendant did not attend the hearing; and (c) the adjudicator issued an order after proceeding with a hearing on the date stipulated in the Notice of Claim form in the absence of the defendant - If CIBC sought relief, it would have to proceed with an appeal.

Cases Noticed:

Stewiacke Home Hardware v. Leighton (2012), 316 N.S.R.(2d) 315; 1002 A.P.R. 315; 2012 NSSC 184, folld. [para. 3].

Lelacheur v. Densmore (2012), 323 N.S.R.(2d) 249; 1025 A.P.R. 249; 2012 NSSM 58, refd to. [para. 15].

Little (H.E.) Excavating Ltd. v. Blair's Custom Metals, [2006] N.S.R.(2d) Uned. 98; 2006 NSSC 251, refd to. [para. 15].

Brown v. Newton (2009), 285 N.S.R.(2d) 228; 905 A.P.R. 228; 2009 NSSC 388, refd to. [para. 16].

Atton v. Malloy et al. (2004), 225 N.S.R.(2d) 201; 713 A.P.R. 201; 2004 NSSC 110, refd to. [para. 16].

Kemp v. Prescesky (2006), 244 N.S.R.(2d) 67; 774 A.P.R. 67; 2006 NSSC 122, refd to. [para. 19].

Manley v. Manley and Armor Moving and Storage Ltd., [1988] O.J. No. 2942 (Prov. Ct.), refd to. [para. 22].

Pottinger v. Toney, [1988] O.J. No. 2403 (Prov. Ct.), refd to. [para. 22].

Diciaula v. Mastrogiacomo (2006), 209 O.A.C. 173 (Div. Ct.), refd to. [para. 22].

Boivin v. Smith, 2010 ONCJ 411, refd to. [para. 22].

Farhan v. Farhan, [2012] O.T.C. Uned. 6596; 2012 ONSC 6596, refd to. [para. 22].

Boucher v. Boucher (1983), 1 O.A.C. 47; 44 O.R.(2d) 481 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 22].

Moody Brothers Groceteria v. Benjamin (1982), 54 N.S.R.(2d) 423; 112 A.P.R. 423 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 25].

Consumer Impact Marketing Ltd. v. Rzepus, [2003] N.S.R.(2d) Uned. 153; 2003 NSSM 9, refd to. [para. 32].

Statutes Noticed:

Small Claims Court Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 430, sect. 23 [para. 27].

Counsel:

Ryan P.W. Lebans, for CIBC Life Insurance Company Limited;

J. Gordon Allen, for Bette Hupman.

This application was heard on November 9, 2015, with final written submissions received on November 20, 2015, by Barnett, Adjudicator, of the Nova Scotia Small Claims Court, who delivered the following written decision on December 3, 2015.