Robert A. Betts
Robert grew up in the Maritimes and attended Dalhousie University where he completed his undergraduate degree in Commerce. While in University, Robert worked as a Financial Services Manager with the Bank of Montreal and later within the marketing group at CIBC World Markets.
Robert grew up in the Maritimes and attended Dalhousie University where he completed his undergraduate degree in Commerce. While in University, Robert worked as a Financial Services Manager with the Bank of Montreal and later within the marketing group at CIBC World Markets.
Robert grew up in the Maritimes and attended Dalhousie University where he completed his undergraduate degree in Commerce. While in University, Robert worked as a Financial Services Manager with the Bank of Montreal and later within the marketing group at CIBC World Markets.
After obtaining his Commerce degree, Robert went on to complete his LL.B. at Dalhousie Law School. Following graduation, he worked for the Canada Revenue Agency as a tax advisor at the Halifax Tax Services Office.
In 2004, he commenced his articles with a civil litigation firm in Toronto and was called to the Bar in 2005. Robert joined Beard Winter LLP in 2008 to continue his litigation practice where he deals with a variety of commercial and civil matters including recreational liability, disability benefits including short term and long term disability benefits, professional negligence, occupier’s liability, insurance coverage disputes, commercial host liability, breach of contract, employment litigation, construction disputes and product liability.
Robert routinely appears before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and has appeared with senior lawyers on matters before the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.
- Construction Litigation
- Professional Liability Litigation
- Wrongful Dismissal and Employment Litigation
- Environmental Litigation
- Appeals and Counsel Work in Complex Cases
- Bodily Injury Defence
- Coverage Opinions/Disputes
- Life/Disability/Health
- Subrogation
- Professional Negligence / Errors & Omissions
- Occupiers’ Liability
- Commercial Host Liability
- Property and Commercial General Liability
- Sport and Recreation Liability
- Products Liability
- Association of Ski Defense Attorneys
- Canadian Bar Association
- Canadian Tax Foundation
- Ontario Bar Association
- The Advocates' Society
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Paul Porchak v. Pizza Pizza Limited 2016 ONSC 4551
Obtained summary judgment on a claim advanced by a pedestrian who was injured after tripping on a bicycle rack with the Court finding that there was no evidence that the bike rack posted a hidden or unusual danger. The Court concluded that the plaintiff was the author of his own misfortune and dismissed the claim.
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Trimmeliti v. Blue Mountain Resorts 2015 ONSC 2301
Obtained summary judgment on a claim advanced by an injured skier on the basis of a signed legal waiver and a complete absence of negligence on behalf of the ski hill operator.
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Ziebenhaus v. Bahlieda [2012] O.J. No. 3542
Successfully brought a motion to compel a vocational assessment of a brain injured minor plaintiff pursuant to the inherent jurisdiction of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce v. Allen [2012] O.J. No. 284
Opposed a motion for summary judgment brought by CIBC against a mortgator where CIBC alleged default under the terms of the mortgage flowing from the registration of a restraint order on title pursuant to the provisions of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
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Amhil Enterprises Inc. v. Seawright [2010] O.J. No. 5170
Argued and obtained an order compelling the plaintiffs to strike various paragraphs of their Statement of Claim on the basis that the impugned paragraphs contained no material facts and were prejudicial to the moving party.
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Bath Creations Inc. v. Richardson [2010] O.J. No. 2462
Resisted an injunction brought by a bath products wholesaler against, inter alia, a former employee who was alleged to have breached his non-competition agreement.
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MTCC 985 v. VanDuzer [2010] O.J. No. 571
Defended a condominium unit owner in an application brought by the condominium corporation with respect to changes made by the unit owner to an exclusive use common area terrace.
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Brown v. First Contact [2009] O.J. No. 3782.
Successfully opposed an injunction motion brought by an employer against its former employees with respect to alleged breaches of various restrictive covenants.
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Siemans Canada Ltd. v. Sapient Canada Inc. [2009] O.J. No. 3739.
Sought injunction against Sapient Canada Inc. for breach of contract during the implementation of an SAP IT solution project.
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Paerhati v. Wang [2008] O.J. No. 3176.
Argued and obtained adjournment of impending trial date and an order compelling the plaintiff’s attendance at a defence medical examination.
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Ottenbrite v. State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. [2008] O.J. No. 886.
Successfully opposed a motion brought by the appellant seeking reinstatement of his leave application which had been dismissed for delay.
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Sousa v. Akulu [2006] O.J. No. 3061.
Obtained an order compelling the plaintiff to attend defence medical examinations without video recording.
- February 12, 2019 — Supreme Court of Canada dismisses Schnarr v. Blue Mountain appeal
- September 25, 2018 — Beard Winter LLP wins commercial host liability claim
- August 1, 2018 — Canadian Underwriter reports on validity of liability waivers
- May 8, 2018 — John Olah speaks on waivers and the OLA at Canadian Defence Lawyers
- April 16, 2018 — Ontario Court of Appeal rules waivers still effective in Ontario’s recreational sporting industry
- April 5, 2018 — TheLawyersDaily.ca quotes John Olah and Robert Betts in an article about waiver validity
- March 28, 2018 — Beard Winter LLP is successful in validating waivers at the Ontario Court of Appeal