Lignum v. Azur (The), docket A-458-98

Date: 20000214

Docket: A-458-98

CORAM:      THE CHIEF JUSTICE

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE LÉTOURNEAU

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE NOËL

BETWEEN:      LIGNUM LTD.

     -and-

     SOFTWOOD TRADING LTD.

     -and-

     TEESPORT DISTRIBUTION LTD.

     Plaintiffs/Appellants

     AND

     THE SHIP "AZUR"

     -and-

     HER OWNERS, MANAGERS, CHARTERERS AND OPERATORS

     -and-

     CHASE FINANCE INC.

     -and-

     TRANSOCEAN MARITIME AGENCIES S.A.M.

     -and-

     FEDNAV LIMITED

     Defendants/Respondents

     Heard at Montreal, Quebec on Monday, February 14, 2000

     Judgment delivered from the Bench at Montreal, Quebec

     on Monday, February 14, 2000

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT BY:      RICHARD C.J.

                                        

                                     Date: 20000214

                                     Docket: A-458-98

                                            

CORAM:              THE CHIEF JUSTICE

                 THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE LÉTOURNEAU

                 THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE NOËL

BETWEEN:         

     LIGNUM LTD.

     -and-

     SOFTWOOD TRADING LTD.

     -and-

     TEESPORT DISTRIBUTION LTD.

     Plaintiffs/Appellants

    

     AND

     THE SHIP "AZUR"

     -and-

     HER OWNERS, MANAGERS, CHARTERERS AND OPERATORS

     -and-

     CHASE FINANCE INC.

     -and-

     TRANSOCEAN MARITIME AGENCIES S.A.M.

     -and-

     FEDNAV LIMITED

     Defendants/Respondents

    

     REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

     (Delivered from the Bench at Montreal, Quebec

     on Monday, February 14, 2000)

THE CHIEF JUSTICE

[1]      Applying the two step approach enunciated in Baroud v. Canada,¹ it has not been shown that the motions Judge erred in the exercise of her discretion in dismissing the Plaintiffs' action for failure to show why it should not be dismissed on account of undue delay pursuant to Rule 382(2)a) of the Federal Court Rules, 1998.

[2]      The appeal will be dismissed with costs.

     J. Richard

     C. J.

    

     FEDERAL COURT OF CANADA

     APPEAL DIVISION

Date: 20000214

Docket: A-458-98

BETWEEN:

     LIGNUM LTD.

     -and-

     SOFTWOOD TRADING LTD.

     -and-

     TEESPORT DISTRIBUTION LTD.

     Plaintiffs/Appellants

     AND

     THE SHIP "AZUR"

     -and-

     HER OWNERS, MANAGERS, CHARTERERS

     AND OPERATORS

     -and-

     CHASE FINANCE INC.

     -and-

     TRANSOCEAN MARITIME AGENCIES S.A.M.

     -and-

     FEDNAV LIMITED

     Defendants/Respondents

    

     REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

    

     FEDERAL COURT OF CANADA

     APPEAL DIVISION DIVISION

     NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS ON THE RECORD

COURT FILE NO.:      A-458-98

STYLE OF CAUSE:      LIGNUM LTD. ET AL

     Plaintiffs/Appellants

     AND

     THE SHIP "AZUR" ET AL

     Defendants/Respondents

PLACE OF HEARING:      Montreal, Quebec

DATE OF HEARING:      February 14, 2000

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE

DATED:      February 14, 2000

APPEARANCES:

Mr. Richard L. Desgagnés      for the Plaintiffs/Appellants

Mr. Peter Swanson      for the Respondent

     FEDNAV LIMITED

Mr. Peter Pamel      for the Respondents

     CHASE FINANCE INC. and

     TRANSOCEAN MARITIME AGENCIES S.A.M.

SOLICITORS OF RECORD:

OGILVY RENAULT

Montreal, Quebec      for the Plaintiffs/Appellants

CAMPNEY & MURPHY

Vancouver, B.C.      for the Respondent

     FEDNAV LTD.

McMASTER GERVAIS

Montreal, Quebec      for the Respondents

     CHASE FINANCE INC. and

     TRANSOCEAN MARITIME AGENCIES S.A.M.

__________________

¹      [1998] F.C.J. No. 1729 (T.D.)