Canada: Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration

The Supreme Court of Canada has clarified the legal test for spoliation, establishing a four-part framework that litigants must understand when preserving evidence. This doctrine, rooted in ancient Roman law, creates a mandatory presumption against parties who intentionally destroy or suppress relevant evidence, with courts now empowered to impose severe but proportionate remedies based on the magnitude of the misconduct.

Garnishment allows judgment creditors to intercept money owed to debtors by third parties, such as banks or employers. While this legal tool can be highly effective for debt collection in certain circumstances, it comes with procedural requirements, exemptions, and practical challenges that creditors must navigate. Understanding when garnishment works best and its limitations is essential for anyone seeking to collect on a judgment in British Columbia.

Dans l’arrêt SS&C Technologies Canada Corp. c. Bank of New York Mellon Corp., 2026 CSC 29, la Cour suprême a clarifié la doctrine de la « destruction d’éléments de preuve », soit l’acte intentionnel de détruire, de modifier, d’abîmer ou de dissimuler des éléments de preuve dans le but de compromettre le processus de recherche de la vérité pendant une instance.