VSH Management Inc. et al. v. Neufeld et al., [2002] B.C.T.C. 755 (SC)

• Judge: Melnick, J.
• Court: Supreme Court of British Columbia (Canada)
• Case Date: May 17, 2002
• Jurisdiction: British Columbia
• Citations: [2002] B.C.T.C. 755 (SC);2002 BCSC 755

VSH Mgt. Inc. v. Neufeld, [2002] B.C.T.C. 755 (SC)

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [2002] B.C.T.C. TBEd. AU.036

VSH Management Inc. and John Binkley (plaintiffs) v. Lonnie H. Neufeld and C. Geoffrey Burgess carrying on business as Burgess, Austin & Associates and the said Burgess, Austin & Associates (defendants)

(C985549; 2002 BCSC 755)

Indexed As: VSH Management Inc. et al. v. Neufeld et al.

British Columbia Supreme Court

Vancouver

Melnick, J.

May 17, 2002.

Summary:

This headnote contains no summary.

Damage Awards - Topic 766

Torts/Quebec responsibility - Fraud and misrepresentation - Negligent misrepresentation - See paragraphs 141 to 153.

Equity - Topic 3602

Fiduciary or confidential relationships - General principles - Elements of a fiduciary relationship - See paragraphs 47 to 76.

Equity - Topic 3606

Fiduciary or confidential relationships - General principles - What constitutes a fiduciary relationship - See paragraphs 47 to 76.

Equity - Topic 3719

Fiduciary or confidential relationships - Commercial relationships - Professional advisory relationships - See paragraphs 47 to 76.

Fraud and Misrepresentation - Topic 2508

Misrepresentation - General principles - Negligent misrepresentation - See paragraphs 77 to 140.

Fraud and Misrepresentation - Topic 2535

Misrepresentation - Elements of - Reliance - See paragraphs 77 to 140.

Fraud and Misrepresentation - Topic 2743

Misrepresentation - Negligent advice - What constitutes - See paragraphs 77 to 140.

Fraud and Misrepresentation - Topic 2830

Misrepresentation - Defences - No detrimental reliance (damages) - See paragraphs 77 to 140.

Professional Occupations - Topic 4067

Appraisers or adjusters - Negligence - Standard of care - Reports - See paragraphs 77 to 140.

Torts - Topic 61

Negligence - Causation - Causal connection - See paragraphs 77 to 140.

Torts - Topic 8988

Duty of care - Particular relationships - Negligent words - What constitutes negligent advice - See paragraphs 77 to 140.

Cases Noticed:

Frame v. Smith and Smith, [1987] 2 S.C.R. 99; 78 N.R. 40; 23 O.A.C. 84; 42 D.L.R.(4th) 81; 9 R.F.L.(3d) 225, refd to. [para. 50].

International Corona Resources Ltd. v. LAC Minerals Ltd., [1989] 2 S.C.R. 574; 101 N.R. 239; 36 O.A.C. 57; 61 D.L.R.(4th) 14; 35 E.T.R. 1; 44 B.L.R. 1, refd to. [para. 51].

Hodgkinson v. Simms et al., [1994] 3 S.C.R. 377; 171 N.R. 245; 49 B.C.A.C. 1; 80 W.A.C. 1; [1994] 9 W.W.R. 609; 22 C.C.L.T.(2d) 1; 117 D.L.R.(4th) 161, refd to. [para. 52].

Guerin v. Canada, [1984] 2 S.C.R. 335; 55 N.R. 161; [1985] 1 C.N.L.R. 120; 13 D.L.R.(4th) 321, refd to. [para. 54].

Varcoe v. Sterling (1992), 7 O.R.(3d) 204 (Gen. Div.), refd to. [para. 56].

Madhani v. Pirani et al., [1997] B.C.T.C. Uned. E70 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 59].

Roe, McNeill and Co. v. McNeill (1998), 104 B.C.A.C. 20; 170 W.A.C. 20; 45 B.C.L.R.(3d) 35 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 59].

R. v. Kelly, [1992] 2 S.C.R. 170; 137 N.R. 161; 9 B.C.A.C. 161; 19 W.A.C. 161; 92 D.L.R.(4th) 643, refd to. [para. 59].

Haida Inn Partnership v. Touche Ross & Co. (1989), 42 B.C.L.R.(2d) 151 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 63].

C.A. et al. v. Critchley et al. (1998), 113 B.C.A.C. 248; 184 W.A.C. 248; 60 B.C.L.R.(3d) 92 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 63].

Ubacol Investments Ltd. v. Royal Bank of Canada (1995), 171 A.R. 122 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 75].

Abbey Blinds Inc. v. Mikesh, [1996] B.C.J. No. 920 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 78].

Avco Financial Services v. Holstein (1980), 8 Sask.R. 192; 109 D.L.R.(3d) 128 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 79].

Cari-Van Hotel Ltd. v. Globe States Ltd. et al., [1974] 6 W.W.R. 707 (B.C.S.C.), refd to. [para. 80].

Baxter v. Gapp (F.W.) & Co., [1938] 4 All E.R. 457 (K.B.), refd to. [para. 81].

Kokanee Mortgage MIC Ltd. v. Concord Appraisals Ltd., [2000] B.C.T.C. 595 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 82].

Friedland v. Derochie, Hoffman Ltd., [1992] O.J. No. 1179 (Gen. Div.), refd to. [para. 83].

Haven Investments Ltd. v. Harper, [1985] B.C.J. No. 190 (Co. Ct.), affd. (1987), 10 B.C.L.R.(2d) 56 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 85].

Caisse Populaire de Maillardville Credit Union v. Severn, Buchan & Associates Ltd., [1985] B.C.J. No. 465 (S.C.), affd. [1986] B.C.J. No. 990 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 86].

Eaton Bay Trust Co. (Alta.) v. First Citizens Financial Corp. (1988), 30 B.C.L.R.(2d) 84 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 86].

Kripps v. Touche Ross & Co. (1995), 5 B.C.L.R.(3d) 22 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 118].

Snell v. Farrell, [1990] 2 S.C.R. 311; 110 N.R. 200; 107 N.B.R.(2d) 94; 267 A.P.R. 94; 72 D.L.R.(4th) 289; 4 C.C.L.T.(2d) 229, refd to. [para. 126].

Athey v. Leonati et al., [1996] 3 S.C.R. 458; 203 N.R. 36; 81 B.C.A.C. 243; 132 W.A.C. 243; 140 D.L.R.(4th) 235; 31 C.C.L.T.(2d) 113; [1997] 1 W.W.R. 97, refd to. [para. 126].

Rainbow Industrial Caterers Ltd. et al. v. Canadian National Railway Co. et al., [1991] 3 S.C.R. 3; 126 N.R. 354; 3 B.C.A.C. 1; 7 W.A.C. 1; 8 C.C.L.T.(2d) 225; 59 B.C.L.R.(2d) 129; [1991] 6 W.W.R. 385; 84 D.L.R.(4th) 291, refd to. [para. 128].

Canson Enterprises Ltd. et al. v. Boughton & Co. et al., [1991] 3 S.C.R. 534; 131 N.R. 321; 6 B.C.A.C. 1; 13 W.A.C. 1; 85 D.L.R.(4th) 129; [1992] 1 W.W.R. 245; 61 B.C.L.R.(2d) 1, refd to. [para. 130].

Granville Savings & Mortgage Corp. v. Mark Swallow Thompson Allard & Co. (1996), 19 B.C.L.R.(3d) 303 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 130].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Linden, Allen M., Canadian Tort Law (6th Ed. 1997), pp. 104, 105 [para. 126].

Counsel:

C.E. Hinkson, Q.C., and M.G. Thomas, for the plaintiffs;

R.M. McLennan and K. Zimmer, for the defendants.

This action was heard on December 3-7, 10-14 and 27, 2001, before Melnick, J., of the British Columbia Supreme Court, who delivered the following decision on May 17, 2002.

Please note: The following judgment has not been edited.