Recent Court Decisions
Toronto Commercial, Construction & Real Estate Litigation
The decisions below reflect reported matters in which our lawyers have appeared before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Commercial List, the Divisional Court, and the Court of Appeal.
Commercial Litigation
Contract disputes, shareholder remedies, cross-border enforcement.
Wei v. Ye-Hang Canada (EH-C) Technology & Services Inc., 2026 ONCA 180
Court: Ontario Court of Appeal
Counsel: Calvin Zhang
Appeal concerning loan repayment and summary judgment standards. The Court upheld summary judgment dismissal but set aside liability on corporate defendants via reverse corporate veil piercing, remitting to Superior Court.
Guangdong Maxome Industrial Ltd. v. Sante Manufacturing Inc. (Security for Costs), 2025 ONSC
Court: Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Judge: Justice Trimble
Counsel: Paul Starkman & Calvin Zhang
Motion for $150,000 security for costs dismissed. Court found unpaid goods valued ~USD $126,000 constituted adequate security.
2477791 Ontario Inc. v. Top Art Roofing Ltd., 2025 ONSC 1482
Court: Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Counsel: Calvin Zhang
Commercial dispute over roofing services contract scope, quality of work, and contractor payment entitlement.
China Yantai Friction Co. Ltd. v Novalex Inc. (Court of Appeal), M55315
Court: Ontario Court of Appeal
Counsel: Paul Starkman & Calvin Zhang
Appeal of CIETAC arbitral award enforcement. Court considered International Commercial Arbitration Act interpretation and appellate deference standards.
China Yantai Friction Co. Ltd. v Novalex Inc., 2024 ONSC 608
Court: Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Judge: Justice Chang
Counsel: Paul Starkman & Calvin Zhang
Recognition and enforcement of CIETAC arbitral award for automobile brake pad supply contracts. Award of ~USD $578,000 upheld.
Luo v. Fulton Development Inc., 2023 ONSC 6262
Court: Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Counsel: Calvin Zhang
Motion to strike claim under Rule 21. Court reaffirmed high threshold for striking pleadings at early stage.
Cheng v. Qu Fei Cheng, 2022 ONSC 6796
Court: Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Counsel: Paul Starkman & Calvin Zhang
Commercial dispute involving business and financial dealings between parties.
Luo v. Grigoras, 2022 ONSC 3636
Court: Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Counsel: Paul Starkman & Calvin Zhang
Commercial dispute with CPL application abandonment. Court awarded $9,000 in costs thrown away, emphasizing costs responsibility for abandoned motions.
Atlas (Brampton) Limited Partnership v. Canada Grace Park Ltd., 2021 ONCA 221
Court: Ontario Court of Appeal
Counsel: Paul Starkman & Calvin Zhang
Appeal concerning share pledge foreclosure enforcement and PPSA notice requirements for $1.8 million loan. Court dismissed appeal affirming notice compliance.
Atlas (Brampton) Limited Partnership v. Canada Grace Park Ltd., 2020 ONSC 1861
Court: Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Counsel: Paul Starkman & Calvin Zhang
Application for declaration of invalid share transfer under security agreement. Court dismissed application and declined equitable relief from forfeiture.
Canada Grace Park Ltd. v. Grigoras, 2021 ONSC 3934
Court: Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Counsel: Paul Starkman & Calvin Zhang
Commercial dispute involving security agreement and pledged shares enforcement in development venture.
Logan Instrument v. Wang
Court: Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Counsel: Paul Starkman & Calvin Zhang
Commercial dispute from business dealings between parties requiring Superior Court consideration.
Construction Litigation
Contractor payment disputes, lien preservation, renovation contracts.
Sheikh et al. v. 1579959 Ontario Inc. (Divisional Court Appeal), 2026 ONSC 1322
Court: Ontario Superior Court of Justice — Divisional Court
Judge: Justices Shore, O'Brien & Smith
Counsel: Calvin Zhang
Appeal dismissal upholding trial judgment in residential renovation contract dispute. Confirmed contractor recovery for unpaid work.
1579959 Ontario Inc. v. Sheikh et al. (Trial Decision), 2025 ONSC 185
Court: Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Judge: Justice Trimble
Counsel: Calvin Zhang
Trial judgment in residential renovation dispute (sunroom conversion). Court found homeowners liable for outstanding contractor payment.
Infinite Construction Development Ltd. v. Chen (Lien Preservation), 2022 ONSC 3929
Court: Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Counsel: Paul Starkman & Calvin Zhang
Motion concerning construction lien validity and preservation deadlines. Court addressed contractor vs. subcontractor classification impact on statutory deadlines.
Infinite Construction Development Ltd. v. Chen (Costs — Divisional Court), 2023 ONSC 2627
Court: Ontario Superior Court of Justice — Divisional Court
Judge: D.L. Corbett J.
Counsel: Paul Starkman & Calvin Zhang
Post-judgment costs determination addressing litigation conduct and settlement offer responsibility in construction disputes.
Landlord & Tenant Litigation
Lease disputes, rent recovery, eviction proceedings.
Yang v. Lei, 2026 ONSC
Court: Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Judge: Justice Chozik
Counsel: Calvin Zhang
CPL abandonment in landlord-tenant dispute resulting in $9,000 costs award. Court emphasized procedural step cost consequences.
Ardabili v. Zak et al., 2025 ONSC 176
Court: Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Counsel: Calvin Zhang
Landlord-tenant dispute involving lease obligations, rent arrears, and contractual enforcement.
Cao v. Iskander, CV-23-18 (May 2025)
Court: Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Counsel: Calvin Zhang
Landlord-tenant dispute concerning lease obligations and premises condition.
Ji Zhou et al. v. Azadeh Hashem Nia et al., 2023 ONSC 5466
Court: Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Counsel: Calvin Zhang
Landlord-tenant dispute addressing rent arrears, property damage, and lease compliance enforcement.
Real Estate Litigation
Failed closings, title issues, specific performance claims.
Our firm has extensive experience in real estate litigation including failed closings, specific performance, title disputes, APS breaches, deposit forfeiture, mortgage enforcement, and vendor-purchaser disputes. For details on our real estate litigation experience, please visit our practice area page or contact our team.