Whittle v. Davies, (1987) 104 A.R. 336 (CA)

• Judge: Laycraft, C.J.A., Haddad and Stevenson, JJ.A.
• Court: Court of Appeal (Alberta)
• Case Date: November 02, 1987
• Citations: (1987), 104 A.R. 336 (CA)

Whittle v. Davies (1987), 104 A.R. 336 (CA)

MLB headnote and full text

Whittle and Whittle v. Davies and Davies

(No. AC0118545)

Indexed As: Whittle v. Davies

Alberta Court of Appeal

Laycraft, C.J.A., Haddad and Stevenson, JJ.A.

November 2, 1987.

Summary:

The successful plaintiffs in a motor vehicle action were awarded costs notwithstanding a payment into court by the defendants - see 69 A.R. 390. The defendants appealed respecting costs.

The Alberta Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.

Practice - Topic 7226

Costs - Party and party costs - Payment into court - Amount required - The Alberta Court of Appeal stated that a notice of payment into court (under rule 166) must include prejudgment interest (to the date of payment in) for purposes of the costs sanction in rule 174 (see paragraphs 11 to 25).

Practice - Topic 7231

Costs - Party and party costs - Payment into court - Effect on judge's discretion - Rule 174 prescribed costs where a defendant has made a payment into court (see paragraph 5) - The Alberta Court of Appeal stated that if rule 174 applies, costs are not "in the discretion of the court" but must be awarded to the defendants "unless for special reason" (see paragraph 7) - The court stated that an ambiguous form of notice of payment into court constitutes "special reason" for purposes of refusing to apply the sanction in rule 174 (see paragraphs 9 and 10).

Cases Noticed:

Stecyk v. Public Trustee (1961), 37 W.W.R.(N.S.) 92, refd to. [para. 8].

Wyss Estate v. Crooks (1978), 10 A.R. 209, refd to. [para. 8].

Smith v. McMullin Estate (1976), 1 A.R. 263, refd to. [para. 8].

Jefford v. Gee, [1970] 1 All E.R. 1202, refd to. [para. 16].

Harbutt's "Plasticine" Ltd. v. Wayne Tank & Pump Co., [1970] 1 Q.B. 447, refd to. [para. 16].

Morozuk v. Boon (1979), 108 D.L.R.(3d) 607; 28 O.R.(2d) 130, refd to. [para. 19].

Irvington Holdings Ltd. v. Black (1987), 20 O.A.C. 390; 35 D.L.R.(4th) 641; 58 O.R.(2d) 449; 14 C.P.C.(2d) 229, refd to. [para. 20].

Kellner v. Greig, [1980] I.L.R. 1-1175; 103 D.L.R.(3d) 244; 15 B.C.L.R. 126, refd to. [para. 21].

Maines v. Acme Plumbing & Heating, [1952] O.W.N. 91, refd to. [para. 21].

Legros v. Evans (1977), 78 D.L.R.(3d) 752; 3 B.C.L.R. 395, refd to. [para. 21].

Ellis v. Whitepass Transportation Ltd. (1983), 43 B.C.L.R. 103; 34 C.P.C. 85, refd to. [para. 21].

Rushton v. Lake Ontario Steel Co. Ltd. (1980), 112 D.L.R.(3d) 144; 29 O.R.(2d) 68; 16 C.P.C. 191, refd to. [para. 22].

MacDonald v. Lockhart (1980), 118 D.L.R.(3d) 397; 44 N.S.R.(2d) 261; 83 A.P.R. 261; 31 C.P.C. 81, refd to. [para. 23].

Wamboldt v. Willson Office Specialty Ltd. (1981), 48 N.S.R.(2d) 250; 92 A.P.R. 250, refd to. [para. 23].

Minkoff v. Knickle (1981), 48 N.S.R.(2d) 487; 92 A.P.R. 487, refd to. [para. 23].

Hubley v. N.S. Bldg. Supplies Ltd. (1984), 29 C.P.C.(2d) 202, refd to. [para. 23].

Statutes Noticed:

Rules of Court (Alta.), rule 174 [para. 5].

Judgment Interest Act, S.A. 1984, c. J-0.5, sect. 2, sect. 3 [para. 13].

Counsel:

J.A. Weir, for the appellants;

C.W. Ford, for the respondents.

This appeal was heard by Laycraft, C.J.A., Haddad and Stevenson, JJ.A., of the Alberta Court of Appeal. The decision of the Court of Appeal was delivered by Stevenson, J.A., on November 2, 1987.