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Date: 20000418


Docket: A-418-99

CORAM :      DÉCARY J.A.

         LÉTOURNEAU J.A.

         NOËL J.A.


BETWEEN:

     LES ENTREPRISES A.B. RIMOUSKI INC.

     AND ALDÈGE BANVILLE

     Appellants


     - and -




     HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

     Respondent





Hearing held at Montréal, Quebec, on Wednesday, April 12, 2000


Judgment delivered at Ottawa, Ontario, on Tuesday, April 18, 2000





REASONS FOR JUDGMENT BY:      NOËL J.A.

CONCURRED IN BY:      LÉTOURNEAU J.A.

     DÉCARY J.A.



Date: 20000418


Docket: A-418-99

CORAM :      DÉCARY J.A.

         LÉTOURNEAU J.A.

         NOËL J.A.


BETWEEN:

     LES ENTREPRISES A.B. RIMOUSKI INC.

     AND ALDÈGE BANVILLE

     Appellants


     - and -




     HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

     Respondent




     REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

NOËL J.A.

[1]          This is an appeal from a decision of Rouleau J. granting the respondent's motion for a review of the fees and disbursements awarded by the assessment officer.

[2]          The appellant, Mr. Banville, in his capacity as plaintiff-assignee, had been successful in an appeal to this Court, and costs had been awarded in his favour. He then demanded that the respondent pay the costs he had incurred to perfect the appeal, including the following two items:

                 legal fees:             $4,761.47
                 loss of income:          $3,000.00

[3]          Both these amounts were allowed by the assessment officer but were subsequently struck in part by Rouleau J. on motion of the respondent. Mr. Banville appeals from that decision, arguing that Rouleau J. misdirected himself.

[4]          The appeal cannot succeed. According to the file, the claim for loss of income is an estimate of the earnings Mr. Banville could have generated during the period of time he represented himself in these proceedings. Clearly, reimbursement of this amount cannot be ordered, as it is not a "disbursement" within the meaning of the Federal Court Rules, 1998.1

[5]          According to the file, the claim for legal fees represents amounts paid to a lawyer who was advising Mr. Banville "behind the scenes" regarding his appearance before our Court. As Rouleau J. stated, a person who represents himself cannot, in principle, be awarded costs for legal fees. In fact, legal fees can only be reimbursed if awarded on a "solicitor-and-client" basis in accordance with subparagraph 400(6)(c) of the Federal Court Rules, 1998. Nevertheless, Rouleau J. allowed $2,500 for legal fees as well as most of the disbursements incurred by the lawyer, recognizing that Mr. Banville was representing himself and that the lawyer's advice may have facilitated his submissions before this Court. Mr. Banville is in no position to complain.

[6]          I would dismiss the appeal and, under the circumstances, without costs.





Marc Noël

J.A.


"I concur.

     Robert Décary J.A."

"I concur.

     Gilles Létourneau J.A."



Certified true translation

Mary Jo Egan, LL.B



Date: 20000418


Docket: A-418-99

CORAM :      DÉCARY J.A.

         LÉTOURNEAU J.A.

         NOËL J.A.


BETWEEN:

     LES ENTREPRISES A.B. RIMOUSKI INC.

     AND ALDÈGE BANVILLE

     Appellants


     - and -




     HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

     Respondent



     JUDGMENT


     The appeal is dismissed without costs.






Robert Décary

J.A.

Certified true translation

Mary Jo Egan, LL.B.

FEDERAL COURT OF CANADA

APPEAL DIVISION


NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD



COURT FILE NO.:                  A-418-99

STYLE OF CAUSE:

LES ENTREPRISES A.B. RIMOUSKI INC.

AND ALDÈGE BANVILLE

Appellants


-and-


HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

Respondent



PLACE OF HEARING:          MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC

DATE OF HEARING:          APRIL 12, 2000

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT BY: NOËL J.A.

CONCURRED IN BY:          LÉTOURNEAU J.A.

                     DÉCARY J.A.

DATED:                  APRIL 18, 2000



APPEARANCES:

Aldège Banville                              FOR HIMSELF

Stéphane Lilkoff                              FOR THE RESPONDENT


SOLICITORS OF RECORD:

Morris Rosenberg

Deputy Attorney General of Canada

Ottawa, Ontario



__________________

1      See subsection 1(4) of Tariff B of the Federal Court Rules, 1998.


Modified : 2007-04-24 Top of the page Important Notices

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