Joel Dubois

Following the discontinuance of the action, the defendants brought a motion for costs.

In response, the plaintiff filed an affidavit containing correspondence regarding settlement offers.

The defendants brought a motion to strike these paragraphs, arguing they were protected by settlement privilege.

The court dismissed the motion to strike, holding that under Rule 57.01(1), written offers to settle are explicitly contemplated as admissible and relevant factors to be considered on a motion for costs.

The plaintiff brought a motion under Rule 39.03 to examine the defendant, a lawyer who formerly represented the other defendants, as a witness before the hearing of the defendants' pending motion for costs.

The plaintiff sought to question the defendant regarding the timing and quantum of his legal account, which was submitted as evidence in the costs motion.

The court granted the motion, finding the evidence relevant and concluding that the defendants failed to prove the examination would be an abuse of process.