Geller v. Brisseau et al., (1979) 29 N.B.R.(2d) 517 (BCCA)

JudgeTaggart, Carrothers and Macdonald, JJ.A.
CourtCourt of Appeal (British Columbia)
Case DateOctober 23, 1979
JurisdictionBritish Columbia
Citations(1979), 29 N.B.R.(2d) 517 (BCCA)

Geller v. Brisseau (1979), 29 N.B.R.(2d) 517 (BCCA);

    29 R.N.-B.(2e) 517; 66 A.P.R. 517

MLB headnote and full text

Sommaire et texte intégral

Geller v. Brisseau et al.

Indexed As: Geller v. Brisseau et al.

Répertorié: Geller v. Brisseau et al.

British Columbia Court of Appeal

Taggart, Carrothers and Macdonald, JJ.A.

October 23, 1979.

Summary:

Résumé:

This headnote contains no summary.

Note: While we do not normally publish in this series of reports cases from other provincial courts we felt that this case may be a significant precedent with respect to the duty of judges to hear evidence and submissions on behalf of a litigant. The trial court judgment is reported at 25 N.B.R.(2d) 235; 51 A.P.R. 235.

Courts - Topic 586

Judges - Duties - Duty of a judge to hear evidence and submissions on behalf of a litigant - During the trial of an action for damages for wrongful dismissal the trial judge, on his own motion, dismissed the plaintiff's action because of lack of preparation by the plaintiff's counsel - The trial judge ordered that the plaintiff's counsel personally pay the costs of two days of trial - The plaintiff's counsel appealed - The British Columbia Court of Appeal set aside the trial judge's order respecting costs and declared that the trial judge's comments concerning the competence of the plaintiff's counsel were not supported by the proceedings at trial - The Court of Appeal declared that the trial judge's interference with the presentation of the plaintiff's case was improper - The Court of Appeal referred to the duty of a trial judge, where there is an arguable case, to listen fairly to the evidence and submissions on behalf of a litigant (see paragraph 20).

Practice - Topic 5382

Dismissal of action on motion by judge or court - The British Columbia Court of Appeal stated that in civil proceedings, before a judge alone, the court cannot, on its own motion, declare a "mistrial" but must proceed to a conclusion so that the action is either dismissed or allowed (see paragraph 27).

Counsel:

I.G. Nathanson, for the appellant;

R.G. Fox, for the respondents, Martin & Robertson Ltd., and Delta Food Processors Ltd.

This appeal was heard by Taggart, Carrothers and MacDonald, JJ.A. of the British Columbia Court of Appeal. The judgment of the Court of Appeal was delivered by Taggart, J.A. on October 23, 1979.

To continue reading

Request your trial
2 practice notes
  • Stewart v. Canadian Broadcasting Corp. et al., (1996) 56 O.T.C. 278 (GD)
    • Canada
    • Ontario Ontario Court of Justice General Division (Canada)
    • December 17, 1996
    ...v. Natale, [1968] 1 O.R. 189 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 5]. Geller v. Brisseau et al., [1979] 6 W.W.R. 416; 31 N.R. 125; 20 A.R. 317; 29 N.B.R.(2d) 517; 66 A.P.R. 517; 25 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 221; 68 A.P.R. 221; 36 N.S.R.(2d) 689; 64 A.P.R. 689 (B.C.C.A.), refd to. [para. Enoch and Zaretzky, B......
  • Blanchard v. Canadian Paperworkers' Union, Local 263 et al., (1991) 113 N.B.R.(2d) 344 (CA)
    • Canada
    • New Brunswick Court of Appeal (New Brunswick)
    • October 25, 1990
    ...basis - See paragraphs 8 and 9. Cases Noticed: Estok v. Tamassy (1975), 10 O.R.(2d) 308, refd to. [para. 8]. Geller v. Brisseau (1979), 29 N.B.R.(2d) 517; 66 A.P.R. 517, consd. [para. Gaskins v. British Aluminium Co. Ltd., [1976] 1 All E.R. 208, refd to. [para. 11]. Millensted v. Grosvenor ......
2 cases
  • Stewart v. Canadian Broadcasting Corp. et al., (1996) 56 O.T.C. 278 (GD)
    • Canada
    • Ontario Ontario Court of Justice General Division (Canada)
    • December 17, 1996
    ...v. Natale, [1968] 1 O.R. 189 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 5]. Geller v. Brisseau et al., [1979] 6 W.W.R. 416; 31 N.R. 125; 20 A.R. 317; 29 N.B.R.(2d) 517; 66 A.P.R. 517; 25 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 221; 68 A.P.R. 221; 36 N.S.R.(2d) 689; 64 A.P.R. 689 (B.C.C.A.), refd to. [para. Enoch and Zaretzky, B......
  • Blanchard v. Canadian Paperworkers' Union, Local 263 et al., (1991) 113 N.B.R.(2d) 344 (CA)
    • Canada
    • New Brunswick Court of Appeal (New Brunswick)
    • October 25, 1990
    ...basis - See paragraphs 8 and 9. Cases Noticed: Estok v. Tamassy (1975), 10 O.R.(2d) 308, refd to. [para. 8]. Geller v. Brisseau (1979), 29 N.B.R.(2d) 517; 66 A.P.R. 517, consd. [para. Gaskins v. British Aluminium Co. Ltd., [1976] 1 All E.R. 208, refd to. [para. 11]. Millensted v. Grosvenor ......

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT