Summary

Keywords

Administrative law — Appeals — Action against employees alleging fraud and deceit/fraudulent misrepresentation, conspiracy, and breach of fiduciary duty relating to allegations law office used as platform to promote and facilitate fraudulent schemes and conspiracies — Whether the lower courts erred in their reasoning and decision — Whether application for leave to appeal raises issues of national and public importance.

Summary

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The applicant is a lawyer. The respondent, Jennifer Li, worked at his law firm as a real estate clerk. The respondent, Raymond Ho, is her husband.

The Law Society of Upper Canada started investigating the applicant’s practice based on his failure to supervise real estate transactions. The applicant was suspended for four months, and ordered to pay $10,000 in costs. The Law Society appealed, which resulted in an increased award of $50,000 in costs.

The applicant commenced an action against the respondents and others. He alleged fraud and deceit/fraudulent misrepresentation, conspiracy, and breach of fiduciary duty in relation to real estate transactions addressed in the Law Society proceedings. The applicant alleged that his office was used as a platform to promote and facilitate fraudulent schemes and conspiracies.

The trial judge dismissed all claims against Ms. Li and Mr. Ho.

The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.

Lower Court Rulings