Lavigne v. Canada, docket A-104-97

Date: 20001124

Docket: A-104-97

BETWEEN:

     ROBERT LAVIGNE

     Appellant

     - and -

     HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

     Respondent

     -and-

     HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

     (Formerly Health and Welfare Canada)

    

     Respondent

     -and-

     THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER

     OF OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

     Intervenor

     ASSESSMENT OF COSTS - REASONS

FRANÇOIS PILON

Assessment Officer

[1]          This appeal was dismissed with costs on the 8^th of June 1998. Mr. Raymond Piché the solicitor for the respondent Her Majesty the Queen filed a bill of costs on the 11^th of October 2000 and requested it be assessed without the personal appearance of parties. The Registry wrote to the appellant, Mr. Lavigne on the 26^th of October 2000 inviting written representations in response to be filed by the 17^th of November 2000. To date none has been received.

[2]      In assessing the bill of costs I have considered the provisions of Rule 400 (3) as they apply specifically to these proceedings. In my view the amounts claimed and recovered, the importance and complexity of the issues and the amount of work carried out do not justify the maximum number of units claimed for items 19, 22 (a) and 26. The items listed in the bill of costs will therefore be allowed as follows:

[ · ]      one (1) unit for item 18 (preparation of the appeal book) or 100,00$

[ · ]      five (5) units for item 19 (memorandum of fact and law) or 500,00$

[ · ]      two (2) units for item 22 (a) (counsel fees) or 500,00$

[ · ]      four (4) units for item 26 (assessment of costs) or 200,00$*

* Mr. Piché had already reduced the amount of this item by 50% in compliance with item 28 of Tariff B.

[3]      Various items of disbursements for photocopying charges and expenses incurred to effect the service of documents are supported by evidence and will be allowed as submitted.

[4]      The respondent's bill of costs is assessed and allowed in the amounts of $1, 300.00 for assessable services, and $ 326.59 for disbursements. A certificate of assessment will issue in the amount of $1,626.59.

Halifax, Nova Scotia     

November 24, 2000                          François Pilon

                                     Assessment Officer

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     FEDERAL COURT OF APPEAL

NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD

COURT FILE NO.:          A-104-97

BETWEEN:              ROBERT LAVIGNE

     Appellant

                 -and-

                 HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

     Respondent

                 -and-

                 HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

                 (Formerly Health and Welfare Canada)

     Respondent

                 -and-

                 THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER

                 OF OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

     Intervenor

PLACE OF ASSESSMENT:      Halifax, Nova Scotia

ASSESSMENT OF COSTS - REASONS by François Pilon, Assessment Officer

DATE OF REASONS:          November 24, 2000

SOLICITORS OF RECORD:

Morris Rosenberg

Deputy Attorney General

of Canada                  for the Respondent