At the opening of an undefended trial concerning the authenticity of a purported Norval Morrisseau painting, several non-parties brought motions to intervene and adjourn the trial.
The plaintiff alleged the painting he purchased from the defendants was a forgery, and the defendants had abandoned their defense.
The court dismissed one proposed intervener's motion to intervene as a friend of the court, finding his past conduct and personal attacks on the plaintiff's counsel and expert witness demonstrated he could not make a useful, objective contribution.
However, the court granted a short adjournment to two other proposed interveners to file proper materials for leave to intervene, noting the broader public interest in the authenticity of Morrisseau paintings and the benefit of having an opposing side at trial.
The adjournment was granted on the condition that these proposed interveners pay the plaintiff's thrown-away costs.
