Case information
Conduct a refined search of the Supreme Court of Canada database to obtain details on the status of a matter before the Court.
37759
Iranian Ministry of Information and Security, et al. v. Edward Tracy, by his Litigation Guardian, Charles Murphy, et al.
(Ontario) (Civil) (By Leave)
(Sealing order) (Certain information not available to the public)
Docket
Judgments on applications for leave to appeal are rendered by the Court, but are not necessarily unanimous.
| Date | Proceeding | Filed By (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-03-20 | Close file on Leave | |
| 2018-03-16 | Copy of formal judgment sent to Registrar of the Court of Appeal and all parties | |
| 2018-03-16 | Judgment on leave sent to the parties | |
| 2018-03-15 |
Judgment of the Court on the application for leave to appeal, The motion to join five Ontario Court of Appeal files in a single application for leave to appeal is granted. The application for leave to appeal from the judgment of the Court of Appeal for Ontario, Numbers C62403, C62404, C62405, C62406 and C62407, 2017 ONCA 549, dated June 30, 2017, is dismissed with costs. Dismissed, with costs |
|
| 2018-03-15 |
Decision on the miscellaneous motion, See judgment on application for leave to appeal. Granted |
|
| 2018-02-12 | All materials on application for leave submitted to the Judges, for consideration by the Court | |
| 2018-02-12 | Submission of miscellaneous motion, for consideration by the Court | |
| 2017-11-03 | Applicant's reply to respondent's argument, (Book Form), To Katie L. Marthaler, et al., Completed on: 2017-11-03 | Iranian Ministry of Information and Security |
| 2017-11-03 | Applicant's reply to respondent's argument, (Book Form), to Edward Tracy, et al., Completed on: 2017-11-03 | Iranian Ministry of Information and Security |
| 2017-10-27 | Certificate (on limitations to public access), (Letter Form), 23B | American Center for Civil Justice, Inc., as Assignee for Christine Higgins, Katie L. Marthaler, Herman C. Marthaler, III, Matthew Marthaler, Kirk Marthaler, |
| 2017-10-27 | Certificate (on limitations to public access), (Letter Form), 23A | American Center for Civil Justice, Inc., as Assignee for Christine Higgins, Katie L. Marthaler, Herman C. Marthaler, III, Matthew Marthaler, Kirk Marthaler, |
| 2017-10-27 | Respondent's response on the application for leave to appeal, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-10-27 | American Center for Civil Justice, Inc., as Assignee for Christine Higgins, Katie L. Marthaler, Herman C. Marthaler, III, Matthew Marthaler, Kirk Marthaler, |
| 2017-10-27 | Certificate (on limitations to public access), (Letter Form), 23B | Edward Tracy, by his Litigation Guardian, Charles Murphy |
| 2017-10-27 | Certificate (on limitations to public access), (Letter Form), 23A | Edward Tracy, by his Litigation Guardian, Charles Murphy |
| 2017-10-27 | Respondent's response on the application for leave to appeal, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-10-27 | Edward Tracy, by his Litigation Guardian, Charles Murphy |
| 2017-09-27 | Notice of name, (Letter Form) | Iranian Ministry of Information and Security |
| 2017-09-27 | Letter acknowledging receipt of an incomplete application for leave to appeal and without formal Court of Appeal order, FILE OPENED 2017/09/27 | |
| 2017-09-25 | Certificate (on limitations to public access), (Letter Form), 23B | Iranian Ministry of Information and Security |
| 2017-09-25 | Certificate (on limitations to public access), (Letter Form), 23A | Iranian Ministry of Information and Security |
| 2017-09-25 | Notice of miscellaneous motion, (Included in the application for leave to appeal), Motion to Join, Completed on: 2017-09-25 | Iranian Ministry of Information and Security |
| 2017-09-25 |
Application for leave to appeal, (Book Form), Application Sealed; 2 redacted copies filed 2017/09/25 CA Orders FILED ON OCT.2/2017; Notice of Name required, Completed on: 2017-10-03 |
Iranian Ministry of Information and Security |
Parties
Please note that in the case of closed files, the “Status” column reflects the status of the parties at the time of the proceedings. For more information about the proceedings and about the dates when the file was open, please consult the docket of the case in question.
Main parties
| Name | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Iranian Ministry of Information and Security | Applicant | Active |
| Islamic Republic of Iran | Applicant | Active |
| Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp. | Applicant | Active |
v.
| Name | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Edward Tracy, by his Litigation Guardian, Charles Murphy | Respondent | Active |
| Elizabeth Cicippio-Puleo, Estate of Helen Fazio, Estate of Domenic Cicippio, David B. Cicippio, Eric R. Cicippio, Richard Dennis Cicippio, Thomas J. Cicippio, Estate of Paul V. Cicippio, Allen John Cicippio, Estate of Rose Abell, Anthony Cicippio, | Respondent | Active |
| Estate of Alexander Cicippio, Nicholas B. Cicippio, Estate of Joseph J. Cicippio Jr., Estate of Marla Bennett, Michael Bennett, Linda Bennett, Lisa Bennett, | Respondent | Active |
| American Center for Civil Justice, Inc., as Assignee for Christine Higgins, Katie L. Marthaler, Herman C. Marthaler, III, Matthew Marthaler, Kirk Marthaler, | Respondent | Active |
| Richard W. Wood, Kathleen M. Wood, Shawn M. Wood, Francis Heiser, Denise M. Eichstaedt, Anthony W. Cartrette, Lewis W. Cartrette, Thaddeus C. Fennig, Catherine Fennig, Paul D. Fennig, | Respondent | Active |
| Mark Fennig, Catherine Adams, Mary Young, Daniel Adams, Elizabeth Wolf, Patrick D. Adams, John E. Adams, William Adams, Michael T. Adams, Christopher R. Nguyen, Bridget Brooks, James R. Rimkus, Anne M. Rimkus, Steve K. Kitson, Nancy A. Kitson | Respondent | Active |
| Lawrence E. Taylor, Vickie L. Taylor, Starlina D. Taylor, Dawn Woody, Bernadine R. Beekman, Tracy M. Smith, Jonica L. Woody, Timothy Woody, Ibis S. Haun, Senator Haun, Milagritos Perez-Dalis, Cecil H. Lester, Sr., Judy Lester, Cecil H. Lester, Jr., | Respondent | Active |
| Jessica F. Lester, Shyrl L. Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Jr., Nicholas A. Johnson, A Minor, by his Legal Guardian Shyrl L. Johnson, Michael Morgera, Thomas Morgera, Marie R. Campbell, Bessie A. Campbell, James V. Wetmore, | Respondent | Active |
| George M. Beekman, Che G. Colson, Bruce Johnson, Estate of Brent E. Marthaler, Estate of Sharon Marthaler, Estate of Michael Heiser, Estate of Gary Heiser, Estate of Patrick P. Fennig, Estate of Christopher Adams, Estate of Thanh Van Nguyen, | Respondent | Active |
| Estate of Sandra M. Wetmore, Estate of Kendall Kitson, Jr., Estate of Kendall K. Kitson, Sr., Estate of Nancy R. Kitson, Estate of Joshua E. Woody, Estate of Leland Timothy Haun, Estate of Christopher Lester, Estate of Kevin J. Johnson, Sr., | Respondent | Active |
| Estate of Millard D. Campbell, Estate of Peter J. Morgera, Estate of Justin R. Wood, Estate of Earl F. Cartrette, Jr., Estate of Brian Mcveigh, Estate of Joseph E. Rimkus, Estate of Jeremy A. Taylor, Estate of Laura E. Johnson, Paul Alexander Blais, | Respondent | Active |
| Estate of Curtis Taylor, Maria Taylor, Cielito Valencia, Luz Southard, Steven Wolfe, Sonya Turner Broadway, Diana Campuzano, Avi Elishis, Gregg Salzman, Elisa Nili Cirilo Peres Ben-Rafael, | Respondent | Active |
| Yonatan Mishael Ben-Rafael, A Minor by his Litigation Guardian Elisa Nili Cirilo Peres Ben-Rafael, Ralph Goldman, Noa Ruth Ben-Rafael, Judith Goldman Baumgold and Naomi Goldman | Respondent | Active |
Other parties
| Name | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney General of Canada | Intervener | Active |
Counsel
Party: Iranian Ministry of Information and Security
Counsel
J. Daniel McConville
15 Toronto Street, Suite 200
Toronto, Ontario
M5C 2E3
Telephone: (647) 848-3811
FAX: (416) 599-7910
Email: cstevenson@swlawyers.ca
Agent
100- 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855 Ext: 102
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: mfmajor@supremeadvocacy.ca
Party: Islamic Republic of Iran
Counsel
J. Daniel McConville
15 Toronto Street, Suite 200
Toronto, Ontario
M5C 2E3
Telephone: (647) 848-3811
FAX: (416) 599-7910
Email: cstevenson@swlawyers.ca
Agent
100- 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855 Ext: 102
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: mfmajor@supremeadvocacy.ca
Party: Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp.
Counsel
J. Daniel McConville
15 Toronto Street, Suite 200
Toronto, Ontario
M5C 2E3
Telephone: (647) 848-3811
FAX: (416) 599-7910
Email: cstevenson@swlawyers.ca
Agent
100- 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855 Ext: 102
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: mfmajor@supremeadvocacy.ca
Party: Edward Tracy, by his Litigation Guardian, Charles Murphy
Counsel
Commerce Court North, 25 King Street West, Suite 1101
P.O. Box 127, Commerce Court Postal Station
Toronto, Ontario
M5L 1E2
Telephone: (416) 499-9940
FAX: (647) 689-2059
Email: jadair@adairbarristers.com
Agent
160 Elgin Street
Suite 2600
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1C3
Telephone: (613) 786-8695
FAX: (613) 788-3509
Email: lynne.watt@gowlingwlg.com
Party: Elizabeth Cicippio-Puleo, Estate of Helen Fazio, Estate of Domenic Cicippio, David B. Cicippio, Eric R. Cicippio, Richard Dennis Cicippio, Thomas J. Cicippio, Estate of Paul V. Cicippio, Allen John Cicippio, Estate of Rose Abell, Anthony Cicippio,
Counsel
Commerce Court North, 25 King Street West, Suite 1101
P.O. Box 127, Commerce Court Postal Station
Toronto, Ontario
M5L 1E2
Telephone: (416) 499-9940
FAX: (647) 689-2059
Email: jadair@adairbarristers.com
Agent
160 Elgin Street
Suite 2600
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1C3
Telephone: (613) 786-8695
FAX: (613) 788-3509
Email: lynne.watt@gowlingwlg.com
Party: Estate of Alexander Cicippio, Nicholas B. Cicippio, Estate of Joseph J. Cicippio Jr., Estate of Marla Bennett, Michael Bennett, Linda Bennett, Lisa Bennett,
Counsel
Commerce Court North, 25 King Street West, Suite 1101
P.O. Box 127, Commerce Court Postal Station
Toronto, Ontario
M5L 1E2
Telephone: (416) 499-9940
FAX: (647) 689-2059
Email: jadair@adairbarristers.com
Agent
160 Elgin Street
Suite 2600
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1C3
Telephone: (613) 786-8695
FAX: (613) 788-3509
Email: lynne.watt@gowlingwlg.com
Party: Richard W. Wood, Kathleen M. Wood, Shawn M. Wood, Francis Heiser, Denise M. Eichstaedt, Anthony W. Cartrette, Lewis W. Cartrette, Thaddeus C. Fennig, Catherine Fennig, Paul D. Fennig,
Counsel
John Terry
79 Wellington Street West, Suite 3000
Box 270, TD South Tower
Toronto, Ontario
M5K 1N2
Telephone: (416) 865-7315
FAX: (416) 865-7380
Email: swhitmore@torys.com
Agent
160 Elgin Street, Suite 2600
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1C3
Telephone: (613) 786-0171
FAX: (613) 563-9869
Email: jeff.beedell@gowlingwlg.com
Party: Mark Fennig, Catherine Adams, Mary Young, Daniel Adams, Elizabeth Wolf, Patrick D. Adams, John E. Adams, William Adams, Michael T. Adams, Christopher R. Nguyen, Bridget Brooks, James R. Rimkus, Anne M. Rimkus, Steve K. Kitson, Nancy A. Kitson
Agent
160 Elgin Street, Suite 2600
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1C3
Telephone: (613) 786-0171
FAX: (613) 563-9869
Email: jeff.beedell@gowlingwlg.com
Party: Lawrence E. Taylor, Vickie L. Taylor, Starlina D. Taylor, Dawn Woody, Bernadine R. Beekman, Tracy M. Smith, Jonica L. Woody, Timothy Woody, Ibis S. Haun, Senator Haun, Milagritos Perez-Dalis, Cecil H. Lester, Sr., Judy Lester, Cecil H. Lester, Jr.,
Counsel
John Terry
79 Wellington Street West, Suite 3000
Box 270, TD South Tower
Toronto, Ontario
M5K 1N2
Telephone: (416) 865-7315
FAX: (416) 865-7380
Email: swhitmore@torys.com
Agent
160 Elgin Street, Suite 2600
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1C3
Telephone: (613) 786-0171
FAX: (613) 563-9869
Email: jeff.beedell@gowlingwlg.com
Party: Jessica F. Lester, Shyrl L. Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Jr., Nicholas A. Johnson, A Minor, by his Legal Guardian Shyrl L. Johnson, Michael Morgera, Thomas Morgera, Marie R. Campbell, Bessie A. Campbell, James V. Wetmore,
Counsel
John Terry
79 Wellington Street West, Suite 3000
Box 270, TD South Tower
Toronto, Ontario
M5K 1N2
Telephone: (416) 865-7315
FAX: (416) 865-7380
Email: swhitmore@torys.com
Agent
160 Elgin Street, Suite 2600
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1C3
Telephone: (613) 786-0171
FAX: (613) 563-9869
Email: jeff.beedell@gowlingwlg.com
Party: George M. Beekman, Che G. Colson, Bruce Johnson, Estate of Brent E. Marthaler, Estate of Sharon Marthaler, Estate of Michael Heiser, Estate of Gary Heiser, Estate of Patrick P. Fennig, Estate of Christopher Adams, Estate of Thanh Van Nguyen,
Counsel
John Terry
79 Wellington Street West, Suite 3000
Box 270, TD South Tower
Toronto, Ontario
M5K 1N2
Telephone: (416) 865-7315
FAX: (416) 865-7380
Email: swhitmore@torys.com
Agent
160 Elgin Street, Suite 2600
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1C3
Telephone: (613) 786-0171
FAX: (613) 563-9869
Email: jeff.beedell@gowlingwlg.com
Party: Estate of Sandra M. Wetmore, Estate of Kendall Kitson, Jr., Estate of Kendall K. Kitson, Sr., Estate of Nancy R. Kitson, Estate of Joshua E. Woody, Estate of Leland Timothy Haun, Estate of Christopher Lester, Estate of Kevin J. Johnson, Sr.,
Counsel
John Terry
79 Wellington Street West, Suite 3000
Box 270, TD South Tower
Toronto, Ontario
M5K 1N2
Telephone: (416) 865-7315
FAX: (416) 865-7380
Email: swhitmore@torys.com
Agent
160 Elgin Street, Suite 2600
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1C3
Telephone: (613) 786-0171
FAX: (613) 563-9869
Email: jeff.beedell@gowlingwlg.com
Party: Estate of Millard D. Campbell, Estate of Peter J. Morgera, Estate of Justin R. Wood, Estate of Earl F. Cartrette, Jr., Estate of Brian Mcveigh, Estate of Joseph E. Rimkus, Estate of Jeremy A. Taylor, Estate of Laura E. Johnson, Paul Alexander Blais,
Counsel
John Terry
79 Wellington Street West, Suite 3000
Box 270, TD South Tower
Toronto, Ontario
M5K 1N2
Telephone: (416) 865-7315
FAX: (416) 865-7380
Email: swhitmore@torys.com
Agent
160 Elgin Street, Suite 2600
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1C3
Telephone: (613) 786-0171
FAX: (613) 563-9869
Email: jeff.beedell@gowlingwlg.com
Party: Estate of Curtis Taylor, Maria Taylor, Cielito Valencia, Luz Southard, Steven Wolfe, Sonya Turner Broadway, Diana Campuzano, Avi Elishis, Gregg Salzman, Elisa Nili Cirilo Peres Ben-Rafael,
Counsel
John Terry
79 Wellington Street West, Suite 3000
Box 270, TD South Tower
Toronto, Ontario
M5K 1N2
Telephone: (416) 865-7315
FAX: (416) 865-7380
Email: swhitmore@torys.com
Agent
160 Elgin Street, Suite 2600
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1C3
Telephone: (613) 786-0171
FAX: (613) 563-9869
Email: jeff.beedell@gowlingwlg.com
Party: Yonatan Mishael Ben-Rafael, A Minor by his Litigation Guardian Elisa Nili Cirilo Peres Ben-Rafael, Ralph Goldman, Noa Ruth Ben-Rafael, Judith Goldman Baumgold and Naomi Goldman
Counsel
John Terry
79 Wellington Street West, Suite 3000
Box 270, TD South Tower
Toronto, Ontario
M5K 1N2
Telephone: (416) 865-7315
FAX: (416) 865-7380
Email: swhitmore@torys.com
Agent
160 Elgin Street, Suite 2600
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1C3
Telephone: (613) 786-0171
FAX: (613) 563-9869
Email: jeff.beedell@gowlingwlg.com
Party: American Center for Civil Justice, Inc., as Assignee for Christine Higgins, Katie L. Marthaler, Herman C. Marthaler, III, Matthew Marthaler, Kirk Marthaler,
Counsel
John Terry
79 Wellington Street West, Suite 3000
Box 270, TD South Tower
Toronto, Ontario
M5K 1N2
Telephone: (416) 865-7315
FAX: (416) 865-7380
Email: swhitmore@torys.com
Agent
160 Elgin Street, Suite 2600
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1C3
Telephone: (613) 786-0171
FAX: (613) 563-9869
Email: jeff.beedell@gowlingwlg.com
Party: Attorney General of Canada
Counsel
130 King Street
Suite 3400
Toronto, Ontario
M5X 1K6
Telephone: (416) 952-6010
FAX: (416) 973-0809
Agent
50 O'Connor Street, Suite 500, Room 557
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0H8
Telephone: (613) 670-6290
FAX: (613) 954-1920
Email: christopher.rupar@justice.gc.ca
Summary
Keywords
International law — Diplomatic immunity — Suspension of diplomatic relations — Diplomatic premises and property — State immunity for state supporters of terrorism — Recognition of foreign judgments — Respondents were victims in terrorist attacks who obtained judgments in proceedings in United States against Iran for its support of terrorist organizations — Later, in 2012, Canada suspended diplomatic relations with Iran — Respondents have since obtained orders and judgments in Ontario enforcing U.S. judgments pursuant to Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act, S.C. 2012, c. 1, against Iranian assets remaining within Canada — Iran’s motions to set aside, vary or stay enforcement orders and judgments dismissed — Whether Iranian assets available to satisfy U.S. judgments — Whether respondents required to prove Iran’s support for terrorism in their recognition and enforcement actions — Whether U.S. court’s assumption of jurisdiction in the actions that led to the U.S. judgments correct.
Summary
Case summaries are prepared by the Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada (Law Branch). Please note that summaries are not provided to the Judges of the Court. They are placed on the Court file and website for information purposes only.
In 2012, Parliament enacted the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act, S.C. 2012, c. 1 (“JVTA”). The legislation granted victims of terrorism the ability to sue terrorists and foreign states that have materially contributed to terrorism and terrorist-sponsored attacks. The respondents hold judgments issued by courts in the United States for the sponsorship of terrorism by one or more of the applicants (collectively, “Iran”). In 2012, Canada suspended diplomatic relations with Iran. The respondents later sued in Ontario to enforce their judgments under the provisions of the JVTA against Iranian assets remaining within Canada. Iran did not defend the respondents’ enforcement actions, and ultimately a series of judgments and enforcement orders were granted. Iran then moved unsuccessfully to set aside the judgments and orders in a series of motions before a judge of the Ontario Superior Court. The Ontario Court of Appeal dismissed the appeals, except for judgments based on acts of terrorism that occurred prior to January 1, 1985, because the JVTA does not apply prior to that date and therefore, those judgments could not be enforced.
Lower court rulings
Ontario Superior Court of Justice
2016 ONSC 3759, CV-13-10201-00CL, CV-13-10204-00CL, CV-13-493290, CV-14-010403CL, CV-14-497414
Iran’s motions to set aside, vary or stay enforcement orders and judgments dismissed.
Court of Appeal for Ontario
2017 ONCA 549, C62403, C62404,, C62405, C62406, C62407
Appeals dismissed, except for judgments based on acts of terrorism that occurred prior to January 1, 1985.
Filed documents
The memorandums of argument on an application for leave to appeal will be posted here 30 days after leave to appeal has been granted unless they contain personal information, information that is subject to a publication ban, or any other information that is not part of the public record. You may also obtain copies of the memorandum by filling out the Request for Court records form or by contacting the Court’s Records Centre either by email at records-dossiers@scc-csc.ca or by telephone at 613‑996‑7933 or at 1‑888‑551‑1185.
If you have questions about a memorandum of argument or want to use a memorandum of argument, please contact the author of the memorandum of argument directly. Their name appears at the end of the memorandum of argument. The contact information for counsel is found in the “Counsel” tab of this page.
Downloadable PDFs
Not available
Related links
The factums of the appellant, the respondent and the intervener will be posted here at least 2 weeks before the hearing unless they contain personal information, information that is subject to a publication ban, or any other information that is not part of the public record. You may also obtain copies of factums by filling out the Request for Court records form or by contacting the Court’s Records Centre either by email at records-dossiers@scc-csc.ca or by telephone at 613‑996‑7933 or at 1‑888‑551‑1185.
If you have questions about a factum or want permission to use a factum, please contact the author of the factum directly. Their contact information appears on the first page of each factum.
Downloadable PDFs
Not available
Related links
The condensed books of the appellant, the respondent and the intervener will be posted here upon receipt of the electronic version, 2 days prior to the scheduled appeal hearing. You may also obtain copies of condensed books by filling out the Request for Court records form or by contacting the Court’s Records Centre either by email at records-dossiers@scc-csc.ca or by telephone at 613‑996‑7933 or at 1‑888‑551‑1185.
If you have questions about a condensed book or want permission to use a condensed book, please contact the author of the condensed book directly. Their contact information appears on the first page of each condensed book.
Downloadable PDFs
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