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Transcript of Law Final Notes
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October 26th and 28th:
LEGAL AND CONVENTIONAL HYPOTHECS
A. Nature of Hypothecs2660 A hypothec is a real right on a movable or immovable
property made liable for the performance of an
right to followobligation. It confers on the creditor the
the property into whosever hands it may be, to take
possession of it or to take it in payment, or to sell it or
cause it to be sold and, in that case, to have a preference
upon the proceeds of the sale ranking as determined in
this Code.
- the
property remain the same
-The debts are carried onto that
property when it is sold and the
new owner must assume them.
-Object can be repossessed and
resold to obtain proceeds. -Other
rights must be payed out
according to the ranks of the
inscriptions
Example: financing of a car, inexchange for giving money you
have to oblige to pay them back.
o Real right
o
o Creditor and debtor is necessary
o One can take possession of a movable or an immovable
Can only take what is there once
Can sell it and take proceeds of the sale
2661 A hypothec is merely an accessory right, and subsistsonly as long as the obligation whose performance it
secures continues to exist
-If the debt is paid in full, then
your rights on the property no
longer exist
- If the debt does not exist
accessory to the debt
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2663 The hypothecary rights conferred by a hypothec may beset up against third persons only when the hypothec is
published in accordance with this Book or the Book on
Publication of Rights.
-Register for movables and
register of immovables: If you
property, then
Example: buy a GM car and
then the dude who sells his car
the car from the new owner.
RDPRM: personal property registry in Quebec
Land Registry: Shows you the history of a property; (previous owners and hypothecs) to find out who
owns the property.
B. Kinds of Hypothec2664 Hypothecation may take place only on the conditionsand according to the formalities authorized by law.
A hypothec may be conventional or legal.
Conventional hypothec: you
have to draft your own contract
Legal hypothec: provided by law
2665 A hypothec is movable or immovable depending onwhether the object charged is movable or immovable
property or a universality of movable or immovable
property.
A movable hypothec may be created with or withoutdelivery of the movable hypothecated. Where it is
created with delivery, it may also be called a pledge.
Examples: An elevator can be an
frame that makes it different. In
the case of the elevator, it
becomes and immovable andshould be registered (
installed?)
You have movable and immovable, And movable can be with or without delivery on a universality of
goods that you can register a hypothec
Universality of immovables:
Universality of goods: all the goods at once and not an element
right is on all the goods.
Example: shares in a company. You buy shares with a loan. Whoever loans money for the shares keeps
possession of them.
De-possession: taking the shares away
2671 A hypothec extends to everything united to the propertyby accession.
Def of accession:
-Increase by something added
-acquisition of additional
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property (as by growth or
increase of existing property)
Conventional Hypothecs
2861 A conventional hypothec may be granted only by aperson having the capacity to alienate the property
hypothecated.It may be granted by the debtor of the obligation secured
or by a third person.
Conventional hypothec: you
have to draft your own contract
The person selling the asset has
to own the asset.
2683 Except where he operates an enterprise and thehypothec is charged on the property of that enterprise, a
natural person may grant a movable hypothec without
delivery only on road vehicles or other movable property
determined by regulation and subject to the conditions
determined by regulation.
2687 A hypothec may be granted to secure any obligation
whatever.
-You can write a hypothec
contract on just about anything.- A hypothec can apply on any
tangible good
2693 An immovable hypothec is, on pain of absolute nullity,granted by notarial act en minute.
-To register an immovable
hyopthec, it has to be done by
notary to be valid.
-For a movable, it needs to be
put in writing.
En minute: a notary checks the owner of the house, the seller, the buyer, the bank etc. And writes it on
the document. The contents of the document are the minutes of the document.
Ranking: 2941-2945: whoever got there first gets paid first
2695 Hypothecs on the present and future rents produced byan immovable and hypothecs on the indemnities paid
under the insurance contracts covering the rents are
considered to be immovable hypothecs.
-Rent is considered an
immovable
-It is an investment
2696 A movable hypothec without delivery shall, on pain ofabsolute nullity, be granted in writing.
2702
2703
2702: A movable hypothec with delivery is granted by
physical delivery of the property or title to the creditor
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or, if the property is already in his hands, by his
continuing to physically hold it, with the grantor's
consent, to secure his claim.
2703:A movable hypothec with delivery is published by
the creditor's holding the property or title, and remains
so only as long as he continues to hold it.
2710
2711
2710: A movable hypothec on a claim held by the grantor
against a third person or on a universality of claims may
be granted with or without delivery.
2711: A hypothec on a universality of claims, even when
granted by the remittance of the title to the creditor,
shall be entered in the proper register.
2724 Only the following claims may give rise to a legalhypothec:
(1) claims of the State for sums due under fiscal laws,
and certain other claims of the State or of legal persons
established in the public interest, under specific
provision of law;
(2) claims of persons having taken part in the
construction or renovation of an immovable;
(3) the claim of a syndicate of co-owners for payment of
the common expenses and contributions to the
contingency fund;
(4) claims under a judgment
1) Claims with the state (taxes)
2) Construction hypothecs
3) COOPs (syndicate ofcoowners)
2725 The legal hypothecs of the State, including those forsums due under fiscal laws, and the hypothecs of legal
persons established in the public interest may be
charged on movable or immovable property.
Such hypothecs take effect only from their registration in
the proper register. Application for registration is made
by filing a notice indicating the legislation granting the
hypothec, the property of the debtor on which the
creditor intends to exercise it, and stating the cause and
the amount of the claim. The notice shall be served on
the debtor.
You have to register in the rightregister
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2726-2728: CONSTRUCTION HYPOTHEC (exam question!!)
2726 A legal hypothec in favour of the persons having takenpart in the construction or renovation of an immovable
may not charge any other immovable. It exists only in
favour of the architect, engineer, supplier of materials,workman and contractor or sub-contractor in
proportion to the work requested by the owner of the
immovable or to the materials or services supplied or
prepared by them for the work. It is not necessary to
publish a legal hypothec for it to exist.
o Always know who you are dealing with and when did you come into the project
o There is only one end to the project
o 30 days to register the hypothec on the immovable registry within the end of a project
o One would denounce the contract when dealing with a promoter on a property the
promoter does not own in order for the lean to be valido Lean gives presumption of a right by registering the document
o Good reflex is to place stipulation relating to interest on debt owed
o If project is never completed, one can only go on the value added
o Cannot place a lean on public property
Individuals in construction can get hypothecs. Architects, engineers and contractors automatically have a
property. You add value by doing your work. But only if the work has been started.
been added, then you have to sue them with a conventional st
recourses and it will take a lot longer.
If general contractor puts his/her
2727 A legal hypothec in favour of persons having taken partin the construction or renovation of an immovable
subsists, even if it has not been published, for 30 days
after the work has been completed.It is extinguished six months after the work is
completed, unless, to preserve the hypothec, the
creditor publishes an action against the owner of theimmovable or registers a prior notice of the exercise of
a hypothecary right.
Mechanics of the procedure:
n engineer is hired and is
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30 days after the end is the maximum delay, you can send your stuff before the end?
STEP 1: 2727: AFTER THE END OF THE PROJECT, YOU HAVE 30 DAYS TO CLAIM YOUR LEGAL HYPOTHEC
r.o.t= if the
Send a notice to the owner through a bailiff to secure your legal hypotheque
STEP 2: if nothing in 6 months at the end of the projectthen send second document to follow up (served
the same way)
You can sue or you can use the hypothecary right. Hypothecary right is much simpler and more effective
than a law suit.
2728 The hypothec secures the increase in value added to theimmovable by the work, materials or services supplied
or prepared for the work. However, where those in
favour of whom it exists did not themselves enter into a
contract with the owner, the hypothec is limited to thework, materials or services supplied after written
declaration of the contract to the owner. A workman is
not bound to declare his contract.
Example:icated in a part of the project and ys
automatically you have the right to a hypothecE
automatically have a right to get paid and the right to a hypothec. No need to resister. You have 30 days
until the END OF CONSTRCTION IN GENERAL to protect the legal hypothec the law gave you. You have
to send a notice if
Send 2 page Notice to the OWNER. ``W `
If you write the notice, then you d
The property is registered on the land registry. If there are complications, then the bank is alerted and
they can force the person to pay you by withholding funds.
the person you have a contract with who you ASSUME is the owner. If the
A
you s
2952(ranking)
Legal hypothecs in favour of persons having taken part
in the construction or renovation of an immovable are
ranked before any other published hypothec, for the
increase in value added to the immovable; such
hypothecs rank concurrently among themselves, in
proportion to the value of each claim.
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2729 The legal hypothec of a syndicate of co-owners chargesthe fraction of the co-owner who has defaulted for more
than 30 days on payment of his common expenses or his
contribution to the contingency fund, and has effect only
upon registration of a notice indicating the nature of the
claim, the amount exigible on the day the notice is
registered, and the expected amount of charges and
claims for the current financial year and the next two
years.
Co-op/condominium stuff: you
have to pay your dues every
month. There are rules. The dues
are pooled and used to make
renovations on the building
equation in the contract which
t
then the condo association can
put a legal hypothec on you. If
you are on default on payment
for 30 days, then they can
exercise the legal hypothec.
2730 Every creditor in whose favour a judgment awarding asum of money has been rendered by a court having
jurisdiction in Qubec may acquire a legal hypothec on
the movable or immovable property of his debtor.
He may acquire it by registering a notice describing the
property charged with the hypothec and specifying the
amount of the obligation, and, in the case of an annuity
or support, the amount of the instalments and, where
applicable, the annual Pension Index. The notice is filed
with a copy of the judgment; it must be served on the
debtor.
If the court awards you (1) a sum
of money and ,
then you can exercise a legal
hypothec (this was a question
one year)
2731Except in the case of the legal hypothec of the State or of
a legal person established in the public interest, the
court, on application of the owner of the property
charged with a legal hypothec, may determine which
property the hypothec may charge, reduce the number
of the properties or give leave to the applicant to
substitute other security for the hypothec sufficient to
secure payment; it may thereupon order the registration
of the legal hypothec to be cancelled.
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October 28th (November 16th in course outline):
INSURANCEFundamental principles
2389 A contract of insurance is a contract whereby the
insurer undertakes, for a premium or assessment, tomake a payment to the client or a third person if an
event covered by the insurance occurs.
Insurance is divided into marine insurance and non-
marine insurance.
-Something is described for a
premium-Evaluate the risk and fix the
premium in relation to the risk
-If the risk is greater, the
premium will be higher
-Risk is based on number of
accidents and past experiences
o When insurer sets your premium he looks at the risk pertaining to what is being insured
o The higher the deductible the lower the premium is
o If the risk materialises then the insurer has to compensate the individual
o If something is expected then it becomes un-insurable
o Only unexpected accidents/events can be covered
Definition of premium: the consideration paid for a contract of insurance
Deductible: The first percentage of the claim that you have to support yourself. If your deductible is
500$, then it me
of damage, then your insurance company will only give you 1500$ (2000$ minus your deductible of
500$)
Example: car accident you have to pay 1000$ to repair the car. Garage will ask for money from the
insurance. You will have to pay a portion of the repairs (deductible). If the deductible is greater than the
worth claiming because your future insurance premiums will be higher.
2464 The insurer is liable to compensate for injury resultingfrom superior force or the fault of the insured, unless an
exclusion is expressly and restrictively stipulated in the
policy. However, the insurer is never liable to
compensate for injury resulting from the insured's
intentional fault. Where there is more than one insured,
the obligation of coverage remains in respect of thoseinsured who have not committed an intentional fault.
Where the insurer is liable for injury caused by a person
for whose acts the insured is liable, the obligation of
coverage subsists regardless of the nature or gravity of
the fault committed by that person.
Intention to cause
damage/predjudice, is not
covered by insurance.
2414 Any clause in a non-marine insurance contract which -The insurance contract is null if
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grants the client, the insured, the participant, the
beneficiary or the policyholder fewer rights than are
granted by the provisions of this chapter is null.
Any stipulation which derogates from the rules on
insurable interest or, in liability insurance, from those
protecting the rights of injured third persons is also null.
any stipulations in the contract
remove rights which are granted
from the code.
-Insurance companies have a
duty to defend if you are sued.
Any restrictions on rights are not
valid.
Basic Divisions
2389-
2414
General Provisions
2391: Non-marine insurance is divided into insurance of persons and damage insurance.
2392: Insurance of persons deals with the life, physical integrity or health of the insured.
Insurance of persons is divided into individual insurance and group insurance.
Group insurance of persons, under a master policy, covers the participants in a specified
group and, in some cases, their families or dependants.
o Insurance of persons
2395: Damage insurance protects the insured from the consequences of an event that may
adversely affect his patrimony.
o Damage insurance
2396: Damage insurance includes property insurance, the object of which is to indemnify the
insured for material loss, and liability insurance, the object of which is to protect the insured
against the pecuniary consequences of the liability he may incur for damage to a third
person by reason of an injurious act.
o Property and liability insurance
2399: If there is a difference in the proposition and the policy, the proposition prevails
2405: if the insurer wants to reduce the coverage, he has to obtain your consent in writing
to do it. Where such a change is made upon renewal, the insurer shall indicate it in a
separate document
a breach of 2408 and there are consequences.
(esp if you die of lung cancer). You have to obligation to let the insurer determine your
appropriate risk.
ok. If
.
2410: exception of age or risk, if they discover a mistake there can be an annulation of the
policy.
If the risks were not disclosed, they can annul the policy. You get your money back but your
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increased premium, has no effect unless the
policyholder consents to the change in writing.
Where such a change is made upon renewal of the
contract, the insurer shall indicate it clearly to the
insured in a separate document from the rider which
stipulates it. The change is presumed to be accepted by
the insured 30 days after receipt of the document.
-If the insurer wants to reduce the coverage, he has to obtain your consent in writing to do it.
-Where such a change is made upon renewal, the insurer shall indicate it in a separate document
-Additions or modifications
-Riders modify the same policy and must be signed by both parties
-Riders are there to protect the insurer
2408 Obligations of the Insured
The client, and the insured if the insurer requires it, is
bound to represent all the facts known to him whichare likely to materially influence an insurer in the
setting of the premium, the appraisal of the risk or the
decision to cover it, but he is not bound to represent
facts known to the insurer or which from their notoriety
he is presumed to know, except in answer to inquiries.
The insurer will ask you a ton a
the truth, then there is a breach
of 2408 and there areconsequences.
Ex. If you
insurer can refuse to pay you
(esp if you die of lung cancer).
You have to obligation to let the
insurer determine your
appropriate risk.
2409 Limit of the obligation
The obligation respecting representations is deemed
properly met if the representations are such as a
normally provident (prudent) insured would make, if
they were made without material concealment and if
the facts are substantially as represented.
If the insured is in good faith and
huge deal
2410 Subject to the provisions on statement of age and risk,any misrepresentation or concealment of relevant facts
by either the client or the insured nullifies the contract
at the instance of the insurer, even in respect of losses
not connected with the risks so misrepresented or
concealed.
Exception of age or risk, if they
discover a mistake there can be
an annulation of the policy.
If the risks were not disclosed,
they can annul the policy. You
get your money back but your
claim will be invalid
2411 In damage insurance, unless the bad faith of the client isestablished or unless it is established that the insurer
would not have covered the risk if he had known the
true facts, the insurer remains liable towards the
Unless the insurer established
bad faith and he can
demonstrate the risk hidden
from him was important that he
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insured for such proportion of the indemnity as the
premium he collected bears to the premium he should
have collected.
would not have covered it, then
he has to pay.
Example, charge 50$ a month
and discovers something even
more risky, then they can still
give you protection, but the
claim made will be a proportion
of what they should have
charged you??? Wtf
Instead of cancelling the policy it
is adjusted
Damage Insurance
2463 Limits to coverage
In damage insurance, the insurer is obliged to
compensate for any injury suffered at the time of theloss but only up to the amount of the insurance.
2466 The insured shall promptly notify the insurer of anychange that increases the risks stipulated in the policy
and that results from events within his control if it is
likely to materially influence an insurer in setting the
rate of the premium, appraising the risk or deciding to
continue to insure it.
If the insured fails to discharge his obligation, the
provisions of article 2411 apply, adapted as required.
2470 Notice of Loss
The insured shall notify the insurer of any loss which
may give rise to an indemnity, as soon as he becomes
aware of it. Any interested person may give such notice.
An insurer who has not been so notified may, where he
sustains injury therefrom, set up against the insured any
clause of the policy providing for forfeiture of the right
to indemnity in such a case.
Duty to report any claims assoon as possible
-Must give notification as soon
as the individual is aware
-There are some restrictions
-Insurers will want you to give
them notice of anticipated
claims
2472 Deceitful representation
Any deceitful representation entails the loss of the right
of the person making it to any indemnity in respect of
the risk to which the representation relates.
However, if the occurrence of the event insured against
entails the loss of both movable and immovable
property or of both property for occupational use and
personal property, forfeiture is incurred only with
-Loss of coverage for risk
-Moveable vs. immovable
-Occupational vs. personal use
-Very broad article which goes
back the obligation of good faith.
If there was a false
representation, the insure who
can prove that there was false
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respect to the class of property to which the
representation relates.
representation can refuse to give
money
2481 A person has an insurable interest in a property wherethe loss or deterioration of the property may cause him
direct and immediate damage.
It is necessary that the insurable interest exist at the
time of the loss but not necessary that the same interest
have existed throughout the duration of the contract.
Insurable interests. You have to
have an interest in the property
insure some random dude on
your street, not permitted by law
for insurance money).
2503 Duty to defend
The insurer is bound to take up the interest of any
person entitled to the benefit of the insurance and
assume his defence in any action brought against him.
Costs and expenses resulting from actions against theinsured, including those of the defence, and interest on
the proceeds of the insurance are borne by the insurer
over and above the proceeds of the insurance.
The insurer has a duty to defend
you if you get sued.
Insurance of Persons Insurable interest:
o 2418:In individual insurance, a contract is null if at the time the contract is made the client has no insurable
interest in the life or health of the insured, unless the insured consents in writing.
Subject to the same reservation, the assignment of such a contract is null if the assignee does not have the
required interest at the time of the assignment.
o 2419: A person has an insurable interest in his own life and health and in the life and health of his spouse, of
his descendants and the descendants of his spouse, or of persons who contribute to his support or education.
He also has an interest in the life and health of his employees and staff or of persons in whose life and health
he has a pecuniary or moral interest.
Application governs:
o 2417: In accident and sickness insurance, the insurer may not, except in case of fraud, exclude or reduce the
coverage by reason of a disease or ailment disclosed in the application except under a clause referring by
name to the disease or ailment.
Except in the case of fraud, an insurer may not, by a general clause, exclude or limit the coverage by reason
of a disease or ailment not disclosed in the application unless the disease or ailment appears within the first
two years of the insurance.
Payment of Premiums:
o 2427: In life insurance, the policyholder is entitled to 30 days for the payment of each premium, except the
initial premium; the insurance remains in force during the 30 days, but failure to pay the premium within
that period terminates the insurance.
The period runs concurrently with any other period granted by the insurer, but it may not be reduced by
agreement.30 days
o 2431: The insurer is bound to reinstate individual life insurance that has been cancelled for non-payment of
the premium if the policyholder applies to him therefor within two years from the date of the cancellation
and establishes that the insured still meets the conditions required to be insured under the cancelled
contract. The policyholder is bound in that case to pay the overdue premiums and repay the advances he has
obtained on the policy, with interest at a rate not exceeding the rate f ixed by the regulations made to that
effect by the Government.
The insurer is not bound by the first paragraph if the surrender value has been paid or if the policyholder has
elected for a reduction or extension of coverage.
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Reinstatement
o 2434: Upon the reinstatement of a contract of insurance, the two year period during which the insurer may
bring an action for the annulment of the contract or reduction of coverage by reason of misrepresentation or
concealment relating to the risk, or by reason of the application of a clause of exclusion of coverage in case
of the suicide of the insured, runs again.
Payment:
o 2435: The holder of an accident and sickness policy or the beneficiary or insured shall give written notice ofloss to the insurer within 30 days of acquiring knowledge of it. He shall also, within 90 days, transmit all the
information to the insurer that he may reasonably expect as to the circumstances and extent of the loss.
The person entitled to the payment is not prevented from receiving it if he proves that it was impossible for
him to act within the prescribed time, provided the notice is sent to the insurer within one year of the loss.
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November 4th and 9th 2010: Business Association and taxation
The various forms by which you will carry out your profession
Not based on the code. Based on what is said in class. TAKE GOOD NOTES.
Four different forms
o Employment
o Self-employed (sole proprietorship)
o Partnership
o The company, incorporation
Tax based on income
o Employment
o Business
o Investment
o Capital gains
Employee VS Independent Contractor
o If you are an employee, there is an employer
o You can be an employee of a sole proprietor
o You can also be an employee of a partnership or an incorporationo Sole proprietor, you own the business, the business is you
o If you call a plumber, is the plumber your employer while working for you?
NO.
The plumber may be an employee of a sole proprietor
o University professor? An employee.
o If you are subject of supervision and control, no loss from the business.
o Employee
No liability
Responsible only to the employer (only within the scope of contractor)
Income Tax
o Employees pay on all income, no deductions unless specifically mentioned in income taxact.
o If your employer makes you buy a uniform, you can deduct that
o Certain travel expenses as well
o Deducted At Source (DAS)
Employer is obliged to take the money right away and give it to the government
o Self Employed Taxation
Pay tax on all income
Can deduct any expense in course of work, except if prohibited by income tax
act
Not deducted right away, make tax instalments
Quarterly, send in tax that you owe
15th March, June, September, December
Can either install of your last bill OR install of what you think your
income is (would only do that if you thought you were going to make
less)
If you do
You may pay less often, but still pay same amount
o April 30th
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o Accrual basis
Engineer, finish a job, send an invoice, amount is automatically added to your
income EVEN THOUGH THE
the previous year
o Tax evasion
o Can impose penalties up to 200% of tax
o When they catch up to you, and you can
Imprisonment in a federal institution
o Minimize burden = tax PLANNING
Calendar year VS Fiscal Year
o Fiscal year period over which you assess you income. Same length as calendar year.
2010 tax year
o In corporations or parntership, you can have a non-calendar fiscal year
EX. March 1, 2010 - Feb 28, 2011. [2011 Tax Year]
Another possibility for deferral
Registered business: because you can adopt a name. But it doe
different entity than you.
2186 partnership a contract by which the parties, in a spirit of cooperation agree to carry
on...
o Share pecuniary profits
o Two parties
o Share losses
o Presumed to share equally
Oral contract, hard to prove, WRITE IT DOWN Litigation
o Expensive, time consuming, aggravating
Partnership
o 50, 30, 20 %
o WRITE THAT DOWN
o Can own stuff, partnership assets
Partnership assets do not belong to the partners
Computers, desks, work in progress
o Forms
General - 2189 must file a declaration 2219 partners bind the partnership. If you sign something on behalf of the
partnership, its legal.
2216 - Voting do
contract
2221 solidarily liable-- Creditor goes after partnership assets first, then
personal assets of partners
2226 cease to be a partner
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Die, bankrupt or want to withdraw
If you are a
Can sell it back to partners, or a third party
Have to have the consent of other parties to sell to a third party
If you want out, you can get out, it WILL happen (this is different thancorporations)
When you die, interest goes to family, not actual role in partnership
Limited liability partnership (LLP)
involved
Taxation
tax, partners do
Partner should have made instalments
Partnership year end??????????????????????????
o Partner year end April 30th
o In June, partnership has year end
o
Nov 9 Taxation Part II
Progressive tax rates are attached to an individual
o The more you make, pay proportional amount more
o Highest rate in Quebec 48.22% (at an income around $70 000)
o In Canada, get up to top marginal rates quite quickly
o If you are a corporate partner, very different situation
Corporation = company
o Two different types
Private and publico Public corporation whose shares are traded on an exchange (TSX, NASDAQ)
Anyone can become a shareholder
o Private any company that is not public
Shares are not traded
Most companies are private
Tend to be owned by small groups of people
Companies are distinct legal entities
o Sole proprietorship IS you, whereas a company is distinct
o Corp., Inc., Ltd.
o Even if you are the sole owner of the company, and the company has money in a bank,
the money is NOT yourso Companies can sue and be sued
o Have limited liability
Shareholders are NOT liable for the debts of the company, actions of the
company
EXCEPT sometimes (rarely) a law exists that makes a shareholder liable
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If the companies pays a dividend, and as a result becomes insolvent, a
judge can order the shareholder to return the money so the company
can pay its bills
If you guarantee the debts of the company
Income= revenue-expenses
o
Also called profit A corporation is a tax payer, have special tax returns
o File a T2
o
o CBCA federal statute to have a federally recognized company
o A Quebec company VS a Federal Company
o Company has articles of corporation, which you file with the government, constitution
of the company
Name or number
Corporate powers
A minute book, charter of the company, bylaws of the company, charters
passed by board of directors
o Shares are a bundle of rights
When companies are born, issue shares
Write a cheque to the company, they give you shares
Capitalizing the company
Types of shares
Common and preferred
Common share as no fixed value, goes up and down with the value of
the company
Preferred shares have a fixed value, usually have an entitlement to
receive a dividend
Voting and nonvoting shares at meetingso Cast:
o Shareholders
Voting, nonvoting, can buy votes
Have a right to vote at the annual meeting
Elect directors (and fire them)
Approve financial statements
Limited day to day rights, not involved in the administration
Don
o Charter restricts the transferability of the shares in private companies, need consent of
board of directorso Directors
Elected by shareholders (until next annual meeting)
Given the authority to run the business
The power to declare dividends
Powers outlined in statutes
Appoint officers
Signing things
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Also not really in day to day stuff either
o Officers
Chairman, CEO (outranks president), treasurer
Run the business day to day
Appointed by the board of directors
Employees
Board can fire them
Company is set up by three people
o Incorporate, come up with a name, file articles under corporation act
o Go into business, need capital
o Put in a limited amount of capital
Retained earnings = book value of the company
o They can fire you though
HAVE A SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT how to get rid of shareholders
o When someone dies
Taxation
Private companies more complicated than public
Depends of the type of income
o Not true for employees, sole proprietors
Three different income
o Personal service company (beyond this course)
o Investment rent , royalties, interest, capital gains
o Everything else active business income
Corporations have flat tax not progressive
First $500 000 taxed at 19%
Excess is taxed 30%
Huge tax savings by having company earnings
In Ontario, its 16% Salary drives down profit
Companies able to accumulate money much faster
company
Majority of wealth in Canada is in companies
Very different in the states they tax accumulated surplus
Company can give out dividends to get rid of some of its income, but taxed on a personal level
at a different rate
Ways to take out money:
o Salary
o Dividends
o Embezzlement not a good ideao Borrow not a good idea they made a law against it
you leave the money in the company
Capital gains the money you make when you sell a capital assest. An assest that you intend to
make money off of. NOT inventory. If you buy land with the idea of subdividing and building
houses, that is inventory. Taxed as an individual. If you buy land to be a landlord, that building is
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now a capital assest. When you sell it, it is a capital gain. Only get taxed on HALF of a capital
gain. Investment income if made by a company.
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November 11th 2010: Remedies and Prescription
REMEDIES AND PERSCRIPTION
2875 Prescription is a means of acquiring or of beingreleased by the lapse of time and according to the
conditions fixed by law: prescription is calledacquisitive in the first case and extinctive in the
second.
Acquisitive prescription (not to
be talked about because it
almost never happens)Extinctive prescription
Prescriptiona right extinguishes after a certain period of time
Period of time is 10 years but there a ton of exceptions to the rule
2880 The day on which the right of action arises fixes thebeginning of the period ofextinctive prescription.
-Damages cause the right of
action to arise
-In many cases the day of the
beginning of the period of
extinctive prescription
Exception to the 10 years occurs 90% of the time. Most of the time it`s 3 years
When can you claim the right? The day on which you can make your claim. If you have an accident, you
can claim the day of the accident. And then you would have 3 years from that date to formally file a
lawsuit
2883 Prescription may not be renounced in advance, butprescription which has been acquired or any benefit of
time elapsed by which prescription has begun may be
renounced.
Cannot renounce prescription in
advance
2884 No prescriptive period other than that provided by lawmay be agreed upon.
For a criminal offense there is no
prescription
2889 Prescription may be interrupted naturally or civilly. -Interruption and suspension ofprescription: ex the bank has
has been exercised
-If you are in an impossibility to act
(ex coma) then there is a
suspension of prescription
2892 The filing of a judicial demand before the expiry of theprescriptive period constitutes a civil interruption,
-Defendant can be served within
60 days of the expiry date of the
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provided the demand is served on the person to be
prevented from prescribing not later than 60 days
following the expiry of the prescriptive period.
prescriptive period
-The filling of the claim however
must be made within the 3 year
prescriptive period
2898Acknowledgement of a right, as well as renunciation of
the benefit of a period of time which has elapsed,
interrupts prescription.
-Interruptions stops prescriptions
whereas suspension suspends
prescription for a period time
-Stop upon date of impossibility
and re-begins when impossibility is
removed
2904 Prescription does not run against persons if it isimpossible in fact for them to act by themselves or to
be represented by others.
2906 Married or civil union spouses do not prescribe againsteach other during cohabitation.
2921 Extinctive prescription is a means of extinguishing aright which has not been used or of pleading the non-
admissibility of an action.
How the period of prescription is
established
2922 The period for extinctive prescription is 10 years,except as otherwise fixed by law.
2925 An action to enforce a personal right or movable realright is prescribed by three years, if the prescriptive
period is not otherwise established.
Any claim for contractual or extra-
contractual damages (basically
suing someone) has a prescriptiveperiod of 3 years
2926 Where the right ofaction arises from moral, corporalor material damage appearing progressively or tardily,
the period runs from the day the damage appears for
the first time.
The period runs from the day the
damage appears for the first time.
2929 An action for defamation is prescribed by one year fromthe day on which the defamed person learned of the
defamation.
-1 year
-Must sue cities within 6 months
and give them a notice within 15
days (ex: you fall because of a holein the sidewalk)
2931 In the case of a contract of successive performance,prescription runs in respect of payments due, even
though the parties continue to perform one or another
of their obligations under the contract.
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Class Action 999 and following
Use Code of Civil Procedure
When many people have the same small claim against large legal entity than an individual, on the
behalf of an entire class of individuals, can sue
o Must first file a motion of authorisation
1. Must prove that the claims from the class are similar
2. Prove that the facts one raises justify the conclusions one seeks
3. Prove it would not be practical for all the class mates to sue separately or
make a suit with multiple claims
o Any settlement
o Will be a notice before settlement or fees are finalized
o Opt-out process, one can renounce their inclusion within the class but there is no need
to opt-in
o en to the government to fund class actionsuits
1003
C.C.P.
The court authorizes the bringing of the class action and
ascribes the status of representative to the member it
designates if of opinion that:
(a) the recourses of the members raise identical,
similar or related questions of law or fact;
(b) the facts alleged seem to justify the conclusions
sought;
(c) the composition of the group makes the application
of article 59 or 67 difficult or impracticable; and
(d) the member to whom the court intends to ascribe
the status of representative is in a position to represent
the members adequately.
A. You have to show that the
claims of the members are similar
B. Facts that are stated in the
motion need to make sense. Show
that it`s not a frivolous claim
C. It has to be impractical for the
class representative to ask people
to be co-plaintiffs.. lots of people
need to be involved in the class
D. The class representative has to
show interest in the class
Quebec is the only place in the world where
aux recours
A settlement has to be approved by the court. They do that so that the lawyers don`t take all the moneylement value)
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Injunctions Force someone to stop doing or start doing something
Code of Civil Procedure: 751-761
Interlocutory injunction (2 types/stages) or permanent injunction (3 total)
o Interlocutory injunction is immediate (30-40 days)
o Provisional interlocutory injunction is super immediate (NOW) Is only valid for ten days
o Permanent injunction does need to made immediately
Not urgent will last for longer
Injunctionng or to
stop someone from doing something
Contempt of court is the only civil action that can lead to jail. (when you ignore an injunction)
Example of injunction: I live in a calm area and neighbour decides to start boat repair business which is
noisy. You can get the court to order him to stop
If someone withholds records that you have a right to have access to, then you could get an injunction
3 types of injunctions
Normal type is a permanent injunction that goes through the regular court process (takes a long time)
Interlockatory Injunction: you cant afford to wait 2 years to file your injunction. The judge gets an idea
from the evidence and makes a quick decision to order the injunction. The balance of hardship needs to
be proven. Might not be permanent.
Provisional injunctionwhen something is super urgent: same criteria but it`s only valid for 10 days.
Seizure
773 (CCP): The plaintiff may, with the authorization of a judge, seize before judgment the property of the
defendant, when there is reason to fear that without this remedy the recovery of his debt may be put in
jeopardy.
o One can effect seizure before judgement if they may be attempting to render
themselves judgement proof
Seizure before judgement: when there is an ongoing claim but the person is trying to get rid of his assets
so that you can`t get money from him.
You need to show that you have a reasonable claim, and that they are trying to make themselves un-suable
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Law notes- November 16th 2010
Charter of Rights and Freedom--
Case Law
lawyers and judges to interpret these cases.
Theoretical definitions need clarification through case law
Doctorine: intellectuals who analyse case law and summarize the prinicples
Actus Reus: act of doing (ex me punching)
Mens Rea: intentions while you were doing Actus Reus (state of mind of the person accused or even
prior (when referring to conspiracy))
You need to prove: (1) the act of doing and (2) the mental state
Some offenses require a different type of mental state: general intent and specific intent
Some cases require proof of general intent, others: specific intent
General intent: intent to do the act
Specific intent: you have the intent of ACT and CONSEQUENCE of act
a
person, but you wanted to hurt them)
Crimes:
Murder: one means to cause death or bodily harm that is known will cause death
1st degree: planned and deliberate
2nd degree: not planned but deliberate
Manslaughter: illegal act that is so dangerous that it is objectively known to kill. Kill someone withoutthe intent to kill.
Criminal negligence: reckless disregard to the life and safety of others
Criminals offences vs penal offences
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Speeding is a penal offence: you remove the mens reayou get conviced without mens rea. But you
If you are arrested by the police, what are the different scenarios in terms of procedure?
Police have 2 choices: keep you in custody OR they give you a promise to appear once they take you to
the station (you may have restricted conditions that you HAVE to respect. Not respecting conditions is
an offense in itself)
Person needs to appear within court in 24 hours
You may need to schedule a bail hearing. Is the arrested and accused person a danger to society? Should
he/she remain in custody?
Detained or on bail
Person has a choice to the ways he can be tried: either by simply a judge or judge and jury.
Few offences can only be tried by judge and jury (murder always)
Few offences can only be tried by judge (less serious like drug possession)
Everything else can be chosen
Advantages of jury: lots more subjectivity (appeal to emotions)
Preliminary enquiry: pre-send
the case to trial
Trial3 players: judge or judge+jury, prosecution, defense or defense+council
Judge: asses the facts, the one to issue the final decision by applying the law to the facts
Judge+Jury: judge assesses the facts and gives legal guidelines to the jury, jury decides
Procecution: prove that the accused is guilty. Burden of proof: prove what an objective person would
say is reasonable. PROVE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT
2 types of evidence: direct and circumstantial
Direct: girl saw dude hit other person
Circumstantial: no one saw, but evidence was left behind (DNA, cell phone examination)
How does the trial work?
Defense lawyer cross-examines.. you are allowed to be suggestive!
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Prosecutor examines. Can ask suggestive questions.
Pleadings: pleading to the judge either than one side or the other is wrong
In a civil case: burden of proof needs to prove BALANCE OF PROBABILITY 51%
Presumption of innocence: innocent until proven guilty
Credibility: what you say sounds more truthful than not. Judges determine the credibility of witnesses,
evidence
You can only prevent evidence that is RELEVANT to the trial. The value of the evidence has to outweigh
the prejudice
Hearsay: you SEE, you HEAR
Exemption: words uttered by the accused
SECTION on FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
Canadian Charter sets out rights that protect against governmental/police abuse
There must be reasonable and probably grounds to proceed to arrest.
Detention: (keeping you in place for investigative purposes) (if you FEEL detained, even psychologically)
police need to have reasonable suspicion.
Police are not allowed to act on a hunch
Search and seizure: if you have been arrested they can do a security search. If you are stopped in a car
because of alcohol and they smell MJ then they have the right to search the car for substances
SENTENCING: individualize process, except for certain offences which have minimums
Example: loaded firearm is minimum is 3 years\
Mitigating factors (things that make you look good)
Imprisonment: incarceration or imprisonment in the community
conditional release
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November 18th: Civil liability for architects and engineers
Compare to the average engineer or architect in the same set of circumstances
o The same in certain circumstances can be or not be a fault
o Expert witnesses give their opinion to the court as to the conduct of the architect or
engineer Each looking for an expert to validate their stance
Each expert is relying on a different set of facts
Were a bridge about to collapse and an engineer is called
o Then he says we must do this for it not to collapse
o It is done but it collapses anyway
Is he at fault
Most likely not, it would be the engineers fault who originally designed
the structure
There are many rules that apply to the work of architects of engineers
o Most important is to know the different rules applicable to each of the subcontractors
one works with
Owners will sue everyone when a problem presents itself because they do not know whose fault
it really is
o Chances are many will offer settlements to simply avoid large legal fees associated court
proceeding (deep pocket theory)
Fault reproached to you related to the surveillance of the work of others
o Work with companies you know and trust and have references for
o Community based projects where individuals are working for less are bound to be
disasters
o In government projects the architect/engineer must select the lowest qualifying bidder
o Must have individual with proper knowledge verifying and working on each of the
specific parts of the construction
o Must know plans, specs and codes for the various specialitieso Must work out conditions of supervision
Amount of days on the construction site
Fault relating to the management of the project
o Liaison between the owner and the contractors for all progress payments
Usually there is a withholding of 10% till the project is complete
o Assure the quality of construction by withholding and making progress payments
Architect must make sure that the sub contractors are paid so that there are no hypotheques on
the building
o Use of joint cheques to remove force work to be properly completed and remove
hypotheques from the building
Minutes of construction meeting are key to avoiding legal actiono Stating ones concern regarding a certain situation
Faulty design
o Fine line between faulty design and faulty construction
o Rarely should one work on a project where he will not supervise the work
o Use very detailed specifications to limit ambiguities
If the plans one draws for bidders are inaccurate one risks the possibility of getting sued
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Either contractual or extracontractual
o Hired by a client to make plans and supervise. Something goes wrong, client sues you
Contractual
o You have many errors in your plans, contractor looses a lot of money because of it and
sues you
o Have to renew your membership even after you retire
Fault, damage and causation
o What is the loss?
o Causation prove the fault is what caused the damages
o How do you prove an arch. Eng. Commited a fault
o Obligation of means obligation to do what needs to be done in the best way possible,
Doctor performing heart surgery, patient dies, not necessarily the fault of the
doctor
Compare to the conduct of a reasonable architect/eng
Reasons arch/eng can be stuck in lawsuits
o Often you did nothing wrong, but someone on the project dido
o If there is a loss of immovable work within 5 years, solidarly liable unless you can prove
otherwise
Try to work with people you know, worked well in the past, have good recommendations
Set qualifications for experience, equipment
Fault that relates to surveillance of work
o Person you were supposed to be supervising makes a mistake
Plans compared to codes/bylaws
Pay only when the work is done
Faulty design of plans and specs
Delay in completion Fault in choosing a winning bidder
o Sometimes bid have to be submitted through an association, relating to plumbing,
electricity, over $10,000. Ass says lowest bidder must be given the contract.
o Client receives six bids, hire you to check them. Second lowest bidder says lowest bidder
ient sues you.
For public tender and BSDQ
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November 23rd 2010: Charter Rights and Recourses
Charter of Rights and Recourses
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms:
o Real charter enacted in 1982 and applies only between individual and state
Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedom:o Not a charter but a law
o Can be used individual vs. individual or individual vs. state
Quebec Charter of Human of Rights and Freedom:
10: Every person has a right to full and equal recognition and exercise of his human rights and
freedoms, without distinction, exclusion or preference based on race, colour, sex, pregnancy,
sexual orientation, civil status, age except as provided by law, religion, political convictions,
language, ethnic or national origin, social condition, a handicap or the use of any means to
palliate a handicap.
Discrimination defined.
Discrimination exists where such a distinction, exclusion or preference has the effect of nullifying
or impairing such right.
10.1: No one may harass a person on the basis of any ground mentioned in section 10.
11: No one may distribute, publish or publicly exhibit a notice, symbol or sign involving
discrimination, or authorize anyone to do so.
16: No one may practise discrimination in respect of the hiring, apprenticeship, duration of the
probationary period, vocational training, promotion, transfer, displacement, laying-off,
suspension, dismissal or conditions of employment of a person or in the establishment of
categories or classes of employment. Civil status is not something that is to be discussed during an interview
18.1: No one may, in an employment application form or employment interview, require a
person to give information regarding any ground mentioned in section 10 unless the information
is useful for the application of section 20 or the implementation of an affirmative action program
in existence at the time of the application.
18.2: No one may dismiss, refuse to hire or otherwise penalize a person in his employment owing
to the mere fact that he was convicted of a penal or criminal offence, if the offence was in no
way connected with the employment or if the person has obtained a pardon for the offence.
19: Every employer must, without discrimination, grant equal salary or wages to the members of
his personnel who perform equivalent work at the same place.
Difference based on experience, non-discriminatory.A difference in salary or wages based on experience, seniority, years of service, merit,
productivity or overtime is not considered discriminatory if such criteria are common to all
members of the personnel.
Non-discrimination.
Adjustments in compensation and a pay equity plan are deemed not to discriminate on the basis
of gender if they are established in accordance with the Pay Equity Act (chapter E-12.001).
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20: A distinction, exclusion or preference based on the aptitudes or qualifications required for an
employment, or justified by the charitable, philanthropic, religious, political or educational
nature of a non-profit institution or of an institution devoted exclusively to the well-being of an
ethnic group, is deemed non-discriminatory.
1: Every human being has a right to life, and to personal security, inviolability and freedom.
Right to die
Inviolability relates to abuse search and seizure
2: Every human being whose life is in peril has a right to assistance.
Aiding person whose life is in peril.
Every person must come to the aid of anyone whose life is in peril, either personally or calling for
aid, by giving him the necessary and immediate physical assistance, unless it involves danger to
himself or a third person, or he has another valid reason.
3: Every person is the possessor of the fundamental freedoms, including freedom of conscience,
freedom of religion, freedom of opinion, freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly
and freedom of association.
4: Every person has a right to the safeguard of his dignity, honour and reputation.
5: Every person has a right to respect for his private life.
6: Every person has a right to the peaceful enjoyment and free disposition of his property, except
to the extent provided by law.
7: A person's home is inviolable.
9: Every person has a right to non-disclosure of confidential information.
Disclosure of confidential information.
No person bound to professional secrecy by law and no priest or other minister of religion may,
even in judicial proceedings, disclose confidential information revealed to him by reason of his
position or profession, unless he is authorized to do so by the person who confided such
information to him or by an express provision of law.
Duty of tribunal.The tribunal must, ex officio, ensure that professional secrecy is respected.
49: Any unlawful interference with any right or freedom recognized by this Charter entitles the
victim to obtain the cessation of such interference and compensation for the moral or material
prejudice resulting therefrom.
Punitive damages. (Punitive damages are for intentional and ill founded conduct)
In case of unlawful and intentional interference, the tribunal may, in addition, condemn the
person guilty of it to punitive damages.
Rights:
o Defence
o Council
o Presumed not guilty
o Tried in the language of choice
o Right to information of charges
o Right to an interpreter
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30: Every person arrested or detained must be brought promptly before the competent tribunal
or released.
33.1: No accused person may be compelled to testify against himself at his trial.
37: No accused person may be held guilty on account of any act or omission which, at the time
when it was committed, did not constitute a violation of the law.
37.1: No person may be tried again for an offence of which he has been acquitted or of which hehas been found guilty by a judgment that has acquired status as res judicata.
Legal Rights of the Canadian Charter:
7: Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be
deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.
Know your rights, bring out the best in individual rights Quebec under two charters
o Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms
o Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Differences:
o Canadian charter protects the individual against the state
Discrimination based on sexual of orientation, definition of spouse in pension
law, preventing an individual from benefitting from a right
You contesting/invalidating a law
o Quebec Charter individual VS province. AND individual VS individual
Reputational, discrimination, against another individual or company
Minority language education Right to strike
Police power
Right to life
Right to abortion
Constitutional law if it passes certain tests, it supercedes all laws
o
Quebec charter quasi-constitutional law, can freeze other laws, except if the law has
notwithstanding clause
o Bill 101
Drafted in a general way so it can be interpreted by the courts
If If it does infringe a charter right is the law a reasonably limit to be imposed in a free and
democratic society
o Is the law well balanced with existing social values
OAKES test
o Questions to see/weigh the balance of individuals VS society
Kirpan knife thing was overthrown by Quebec charter
Freedom of press
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o Injuctions, remedies???
o If rights to freedom or press/freedom of information outweigh people being attacked
2B. Freedom of thought, expression, other media of communication
o Irwin toys Qubec made a law to prevent publicity addressed to kids, Irwin protested
right to advertize, 2B. Lost case. Deemed important to protect kids, most vulnerable
o
o
Can have a whole group of people, company, or individual sue government to change the law
Mobility rights Canadian citizen has the right to remain in, move around, leave
Sue Louis-
o Challenging 24b. Of criminal code for assisted suicide
Abortion
Theraputic abortion clinics
Robert latimer mercy killing
Section 10 your rights when you get arrested
o Informed promptly of the reasons
o Attain counsel
Section 11d innocent until proven guilty
Section 12 cruel and unusual punishment
Section 15 (CC) 10 (QC) READ AND COMPARE equality rights, race, colour, religion, sex.or., age
Section 20 distinction based on aptitudes
o Apply to be a firefighter when you are 75, declined, sue for age desc, ACTAULLY section
Remedies
o What happens if one of your rights in infringed upon under CC
o Section 24
o Can freeze a law (while being looked into, fixed), blow up the law, reading down of the
law (cut out a piece that causes problems), read into a law
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Nov 25 Public Private Partnership
Government enter into partnership with private partner
o Company often created for that project
o Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)
o Concessionaire
Partnership agreement
o Maintenance, rehabilitation, construction
Private partner enters into separate contract with Design/build contractor, Operation and
Maintenance contractor (after)
o
o Flow down obligations to contractors
o Just provides interface, money
Lender usually banks
o Can step in if private partner defaults
Independent engineer
o Unusual role
o Both public and private pay
o Checks at milestones
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Nov 30 - ?
Punitive damages
Construction bonds
o
Have to know how to council your clientso Delays cost money
o Clients want risk out of the way, how to eliminate
o Construction bond written agreement whereby a surety bonding company guarantees
that the principle general contractor will fulfill his obligations for the obligee.
o Insurance company some companies specialize in bonds/surety
o Ask general contractor to go see one of these companies. Company will take care of
o Performance bond is a type of construction bond. WHAT IS A PERFORMANCE
COMPANY?
list
For a bond to be valid: The company that issues the bond gives it to the GC and the GC has to sign it.
And the client has to have a copy. If the contract is not delivered to the obligee, then the bond is not
valid.
insurance pays.
Bonding: 3 people GC, client and insurance/bonding company. But with the bond, the insurance
company will come back to you to reclaim the money from the GC.
o
4 TYPES OF BONDS
o Bid bonds
o Performance bonds
o Labour and material payment bonds
o Construction lien bonds
o For a bond to be valid:
The company that issues the bond gives it to the general contractor, has to sign
Bid bonds avoid frivolous bids
Selection based on price
General contractors cut price, then try to raise it based on lack of clarity
Sign on price, surety will pay the difference between lowest and next lowest bid
o Validity of bonds usually 30-60 days
Have to sign it
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Performance bonds--
then this company will take care of getting the job done.
-If the GC goes bankrupt, if you have a bond, then you can pull that bond. The insurance company that
has that bond will pay for the completion of the work.
Wording usually very different
Pull one of the bonds, always do it in writing
o Labour and Materials
I will pay you when I am paid, if thats in there, cannot pull on bonds
Changing scope of project can invalidate bonds
Lien bonds hypothecs,
Labor and Mateiral Payment Bond: General contractor fails to pay suppliers. Generally public work.
Lien Bonds: You can get liens off your property. Once the property is constructed, there are no
encumbrances. The GC has an obligation to ensure that the project is free of all encumbrances and liens.
Example: Health Care facility got a lien placed on it. The lien can be taken off the property if a lien bond
was signed. Free the property from liens which would otherwise compromise the property. Prevents
sub-contractors and GC from holding the property hostage.
How do you get the GC to get the bonds? Put it in the tenure documents.