The Crawfords hired Shane Ross and his companies (Standard Building Contractors Limited and Standard Paving Limited) to rebuild their fire-damaged home.
Despite receiving significant insurance proceeds, the defendants performed minimal work and engaged in fraudulent conduct, including submitting forged engineering documents for a building permit.
The Crawfords terminated the contract and sought damages, return of funds, a permanent Mareva injunction, and a finding of contempt.
The defendants counterclaimed for work done and asserted a construction lien.
The court found that the defendants fundamentally breached the contract, engaged in deceptive and fraudulent conduct, and were in contempt of court for violating a prior Mareva injunction.
The court awarded the Crawfords judgment for the advanced funds (less minimal work value), punitive damages, and dismissed the construction lien, awarding damages under the Construction Act.
The Mareva injunction was made permanent and expanded.
