Concord Pacific Acquisitions Inc. v. Hong Leong Oei, Hong Kong Expo Holdings Ltd. and Canadian Metropolitan Properties Corporation

NST successfully defended a claim in excess of $350 million brought by Concord Pacific Acquisitions Inc. against three named defendants, including renowned Singaporean businessman, Hong Leong Oei. Partners Irwin G. Nathanson, Q.C. and Stephen R. Schachter, Q.C. and associate M. Caitlin Ohama-Darcus argued a 48-day trial before the Honourable Mr. Justice Voith. On July 19, 2019, the Supreme Court of British Columbia released its judgment.

At the heart of this dispute was a purported transaction to develop a significant piece of waterfront land owned indirectly by Mr. Oei, described in the court’s reasons as a “multiyear billion-dollar development.” Led by its President and CEO, Terry Hui, and Vice President, David Ju, Concord alleged that it had entered into binding agreements with Mr. Oei to jointly own and develop the property. The court rejected their evidence and dismissed Concord’s claim in its entirety. Concord has now appealed. That appeal remains outstanding (CA46314). In a related proceeding, Hong Leong Oei, Hong Kong Expo Holdings Ltd. and Canadian Metropolitan Properties Corporation brought a claim for damages for the tort of abuse of process against Concord (S-161950). Concord applied to strike this claim, which application was successfully defended by Mr. Nathanson and Ms. Ohama-Darcus. Concord then appealed from the order dismissing their application strike (CA45549).

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