Spa v. Canada Maritime Ltd., 2001 FCT 1400

Date: 20011217

Docket: T-1639-97

Neutral citation: 2001 FCT 1400

Montreal, Quebec, December 17, 2001

Present:           The Honourable Mr. Justice Nadon

Action in rem against the vessel "CANMAR CONQUEST" and in personam

against the Owners and Charterers of the vessel "CANMAR CONQUEST",

Canada Martime Ltd. and Ango-Eastern Shipmanagement Ltd.

BETWEEN:

AMUT S.P.A.

and

ROYAL FLEX LOX PIPE LIMITED

and

UNIFREIGHT ITALIA Srl.

and

UNIFREIGHT INTERNATIONAL LTD.

and

ALL THOSE PERSONS HAVING AN INTEREST IN

THE CARGO LADEN ON BOARD THE VESSEL

"CANMAR CONQUEST"

                                                                                                                                                        Plaintiffs

                                                                              AND

CANADA MARITIME LTD.

and

THE OWNERS AND CHARTERERS OF THE

VESSEL "CANMAR CONQUEST"

and

THE VESSEL "CANMAR CONQUEST"

                                                                                                                                                    Defendants

Motion on behalf of Plaintiffs for an Order:

-            Abridging the delays for the presentation of the present motion;

-            Extending the delay to hold the examination on discovery of a representative of Amut S.p.a.

                                               (Rule 8 of the Federal Court Rules, 1998)

                                               ORDER AND REASONS FOR ORDER

[1]                 The motion is allowed with costs in the sum of $500 payable to the Defendants in any event of the cause. Firstly, the delay to present the motion is abridged. Secondly, the Plaintiffs shall present a witness in Montreal, at the latest January 11, 2002, for examination on discovery by the Defendants.

[2]                 Although Teitelbaum J.'s Order of November 22, 2001 provides that the Statement of Claim will be dismissed upon failure to produce a witness by December 14, 2001, I am satisfied that, in the circumstances, Teitelbaum J.'s Order ought to be varied so as to extend the examination on discovery date from December 14, 2001 to the latest January 11, 2002.

[3]                 Counsel for Plaintiffs ought not to have agreed to the December 14, 2001 date before having verified the availability of a witness. However, I am not prepared to refuse a short extension so as to allow the Plaintiffs to produce a witness. I am satisfied that no witness could be made available prior to December 14, 2001.

[4]                 The January 11, 2002 date is peremptory. No further delay will be allowed. I will remain seized of this matter pending completion of the Defendants' examination on discovery of the Plaintiffs' witness.

                                                                                                                                             "Marc Nadon"          

                                                                                                                                                               Judge                

                    FEDERAL COURT OF CANADA

                                  TRIAL DIVISION

Date: 20011217

Docket:    T-1639-97

BETWEEN:

AMUT S.P.A.

and

ROYAL FLEX LOX PIPE LIMITED

and

UNIFREIGHT ITALIA Srl.

and

UNIFREIGHT INTERNATIONAL LTD.

and

ALL THOSE PERSONS HAVING AN INTEREST IN

THE CARGO LADEN ON BOARD THE VESSEL

"CANMAR CONQUEST"

                                                                                       Plaintiffs

                                               AND

CANADA MARITIME LTD.

and

THE OWNERS AND CHARTERERS OF THE

VESSEL "CANMAR CONQUEST"

and

THE VESSEL "CANMAR CONQUEST"

                                                                                   Defendants

             ORDER AND REASONS FOR ORDER

                                                                 FEDERAL COURT OF CANADA

                                                                              TRIAL DIVISION

                                           NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD

DOCKET:                                                          T-1639-97

STYLE OF CAUSE:                                       

AMUT S.P.A.

and

ROYAL FLEX LOX PIPE LIMITED

and

UNIFREIGHT ITALIA Srl.

and

UNIFREIGHT INTERNATIONAL LTD.

and

ALL THOSE PERSONS HAVING AN INTEREST IN

THE CARGO LADEN ON BOARD THE VESSEL

"CANMAR CONQUEST"

                                                                                                                                                                                  Plaintiffs

                                                                                           AND

CANADA MARITIME LTD.

and

THE OWNERS AND CHARTERERS OF THE

VESSEL "CANMAR CONQUEST"

and

THE VESSEL "CANMAR CONQUEST"

                                                                                                                                                                              Defendants

PLACE OF HEARING:                                  Montreal, Quebec

DATE OF HEARING:                                    December 17, 2001

ORDER AND REASONS FOR ORDER OF:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE NADON

DATED:                                                             December 17, 2001

                                                                                                                                                                                     Page: 2

APPEARANCES:

SOLICITORS OF RECORD: