The court granted summary judgment in favour of HSBC Bank of Canada and HSBC Securities Canada Inc., dismissing Kenneth James's claims for conversion, intentional interference with economic relations, defamation, and punitive damages.
The court found that HSBC acted within its contractual and legal rights in freezing and managing the plaintiff’s accounts following criminal charges and a restraining order, and that all funds (except those in Hong Kong, over which HSBC Canada had no control) were returned to the plaintiff after his acquittal.
The court held there was no genuine issue requiring a trial.
