Bryan Williams

The appellants, representing individuals injured by asbestos exposure, commenced an action in Texas against various asbestos companies.

The respondent companies obtained an anti-suit injunction in British Columbia to restrain the Texas proceedings.

The Supreme Court of Canada allowed the appeal and set aside the injunction, establishing the Canadian test for anti-suit injunctions.

The Court held that an anti-suit injunction should only be granted if the foreign court assumed jurisdiction on a basis inconsistent with Canadian rules of forum non conveniens and if allowing the foreign action to proceed would result in an injustice.

The Law Society of British Columbia disciplined a lawyer, Donald Jabour, for advertising his legal services.

Jabour and the federal Director of Investigation and Research challenged the Law Society's actions, arguing they violated the Combines Investigation Act and freedom of speech.

The Supreme Court of Canada held that the Combines Investigation Act does not apply to regulatory schemes validly established by provincial legislation.

The Court also affirmed that provincial superior courts have jurisdiction to declare federal statutes unconstitutional, despite the Federal Court Act.

Finally, the Court held that the Law Society's advertising restrictions, authorized by valid provincial law, did not unlawfully infringe freedom of speech.