Chart: SIGNIFICANT RULINGS

Two recent Canadian court rulings are expected to ease the burdensome legal environment for class action defendants:

Walker vs. Ritchie (Oct. 13), Supreme Court of Canada--The risk of nonpayment to a plaintiffs' lawyer is not a relevant factor in determining the legal cost award that should be paid by the losing party under Ontario's "loser pays" cost legal system.

Bouchard vs. Agropur Cooperative (Oct. 18), Quebec Court of Appeal--A plaintiff seeking certification for a class action proceeding must have a cause of action against each named defendant.

Source: Court documents