The defendant appealed a master's order dismissing a motion to remove the plaintiff's counsel for alleged conflict of interest.
The defendant argued the lawyer had previously acted for related entities and had been involved in matters connected to employment agreements and a corporate asset purchase that later resulted in an amalgamation.
Applying the principles from MacDonald Estate v Martin, the court held that the former relationship was not sufficiently related to the present retainer to justify disqualification.
The court also found no evidence that relevant confidential information had been imparted.
The appeal was dismissed and the master's decision was upheld.
