Merck & Co. Inc. v. Brantford Chemicals Inc., 2005 FCA 173

Date: 20050510

Docket: A-567-04

Citation: 2005 FCA 173

CORAM:        DESJARDINS J.A.

ROTHSTEIN J.A.

SHARLOW J.A.

BETWEEN:

                         MERCK & CO., INC. and MERCK FROSST CANADA & CO.

                                                                                                                                          Appellants

                                                                                                                                           (Plaintiffs)

                                                                           and

                                                BRANTFORD CHEMICALS INC.

                                                                                                                                        Respondent

                                                                                                                                        (Defendant)

                                            Heard at Toronto, Ontario on May 10, 2005.

                      Judgment delivered from the Bench at Toronto, Ontario on May 10, 2005.

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF THE COURT BY:                                              SHARLOW J.A.

Date: 20050510

Docket: A-567-04

Citation: 2005 FCA 173

CORAM:        DESJARDINS J.A.

ROTHSTEIN J.A.

SHARLOW J.A.

BETWEEN:

                         MERCK & CO., INC. and MERCK FROSST CANADA & CO.

                                                                                                                                          Appellants

                                                                                                                                           (Plaintiffs)

                                                                           and

                                                BRANTFORD CHEMICALS INC.

                                                                                                                                        Respondent

                                                                                                                                        (Defendant)

                                     REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

                        (Delivered from the Bench at Toronto, Ontario on May 10, 2005)

SHARLOW J.A.

[1]                This is an appeal of a decision of a judge of the Federal Court, dismissing an appeal from an order made by a prothonotary, dismissing the motion of the appellants for bifurcation of this action: Merck & Co. v. Brantford Chemicals Inc. (2004), 35 C.P.R. (4th) 4 (F.C.).

[2]                The judge declined to reverse the decision of the prothonotary because, based on the principles stated in Canada v. Aqua-Gem Investments Ltd., [1993] 2 F.C. 425 at 463 (F.C.A.) and VISX Inc. v. Nidek Co. (1996), 72 C.P.R. (3d) 19 at 22, 23 (F.C.A.), he was not persuaded that the prothonotary had made any error that warranted his intervention.

[3]                Despite the able submissions of counsel for the appellant, we are all of the view that the judge understood and applied the correct principles to the appeal before him.

[4]                We note particularly that the appellant was not entitled to a bifurcation order in this case, just because bifurcation had been permitted in another case that, in certain respects, is similar to this one. Nor is the appellant entitled to expect that the judge or the prothonotary would disregard or discount the affidavit of counsel for respondent.

[5]                We find no basis for the intervention of this Court. This appeal will be dismissed with costs.

"Karen R. Sharlow"   

                                                                                                                                                      J.A.                           

FEDERAL COURT OF APPEAL

NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD

DOCKET:                                           A-567-04

STYLE OF CAUSE:               MERCK & CO., INC., and

MERCK FROSST CANADA & CO.

Appellants

(Plaintiffs)

and

BRANTFORD CHEMICALS INC.

Respondent

(Defendant)

PLACE OF HEARING:                     TORONTO, ONTARIO

DATE OF HEARING:                       MAY 10, 2005

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

OF THE COURT:                               (DESJARDINS, ROTHSTEIN, SHARLOW, JJ.A.)

DELIVERED FROM THE

BENCH BY:                                       SHARLOW J.A.

APPEARANCES:

Allyson Whyte-Nowak              FOR THE APPELLANTS (PLAINTIFFS)

David E. Lederman                                FOR THE RESPONDENT (DEFENDANT)

SOLICITORS OF RECORD:

OGILVY RENAULT

Barristers & Solicitors

Toronto, Ontario

FOR THE APPELLANTS (PLAINTIFFS)

GOODMANS LLP

Barristers & Solicitors

Toronto, Ontario

FOR THE RESPONDENT (DEFENDANT)