We regularly represent clients who have been charged with environmental or occupational health and safety offences or appear before environmental tribunals, including as part of the federal and/or provincial environmental assessment process.

We also regularly assist and represent clients in mediation and/or arbitration in an attempt to settle environmental disputes without having to resort to the courts.

Some of the litigation matters that we have been involved with include:

• Representing a large multinational auto parts manufacturer in litigation involving chlorinated solvent groundwater contamination, including negotiating and appealing government orders, litigation with neighbours and negotiations with other third parties;
• Representing a large multinational service station operator with regard to a number of environmental issues that have arisen as a result of the historic operation of these stations, including dealing with government agencies, negotiating and appealing government orders, and litigation;
• Acting for the Region of York in an unsuccessful application by the Township of King to quash a Region by-law taking jurisdiction over the King City Community Sanitary Waste Collection System (colloquially known as the "Big Pipe"). The Court confirmed that the by-law was within the Region's jurisdiction; and
• Representing numerous clients, both corporations and individuals throughout any regulatory investigations and judicial proceedings that take place following workplace injuries and fatalities.

Recent Group Activities

Class Actions Group launches its blog: CanadianClassActionsLaw.com
The Class Actions Group is pleased to announce the launch of its Canadian Class Actions Law blog, the latest addition to its blog network. The blog features information and resources on relevant legal developments in class actions law including, certification, settlements, appeals, judicial treatment of common causes of action, judicial treatment of class proceedings legislation, secondary market liability claims and securities class actions, and consumer protection, product liability, competition class actions and more!  Sign-up today for regular updates, via email or RSS, at www.CanadianClassActionsLaw.com or follow us on Twitter @CdnClassAction.

Article published in ABA's Newsletter
Douglas Harrison's article "Damages for Stigma Awarded in Canadian Environmental Class Action" about the Smith v. Inco decision by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice was published in the Fall/Winter 2010-2011 edition of the ABA's Tort Trial Insurance Newsletter