A class action allows one person, called a representative plaintiff, to start a lawsuit on behalf of himself/herself as well as all others who fit into the defined class, subject to the rights of class members to withdraw or opt-out.

This means that a single person can commence a class action on behalf of hundreds or thousands of people.

Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland are the only five provinces in Canada with Class Action Legislation in effect. The Saskatchewan and Newfoundland legislation came into force in early 2002..

In any event, the Supreme Court of Canada has recently ruled that court procedures allowing representative actions can be interpreted so as to allow for class actions.

Class action legislation in Canada allows greater access to justice by permitting groups of people who are similarly affected to join together in commencing legal action.

Scarfone Hawkins LLP is a Canadian law firm experienced in handling significant and complex class action claims.

As stated by the Honourable Mr. Justice P.A. Cumming, Designated Class Proceeding Judge for the Toronto Region in Reasons for Decision in Directright Cartage Ltd. v. London Life Insurance Company (October 18, 2001) in relation to our firm:

"The Class Counsel in the case at hand is experienced in class proceedings. It is apparent from the evidence and submissions at the fairness hearing that the class members have been well represented".

Scarfone Hawkins LLP has acted in class action claims involving classes of approximately 100 people to large classes of close to 1 million people. We have achieved recovery for class members in excess of $300 million

For more information, you can access our Class Action Hotline at 1-905-523-8048 or 1-888-245-8829.