Nathanson, Schachter & Thompson LLP successfully represented the Ming Sun Benevolent Society in having a default judgment granted against them set aside. The judgment creditors sought damages of over $3,000,000, although no decision assessing damages was released prior to the default judgment being set aside.

Partner Peter R. Senkpiel and associate Emily L. Hansen argued that the Society was improperly served with an amended counterclaim and is entitled to file a response to counterclaim, or alternatively that it was in the interests of justice that the Society be permitted to defend the merits of the claims against it. Madam Justice Forth agreed and ordered that the default judgment be set aside and the Society be given the opportunity to respond, Ming Sun Benevolent Society v Philippine Women Centre of B.C, 2020 BCSC 423.

The Society has been working to redevelop their building, located in Vancouver’s historic Chinatown, into low-cost social housing, with financial assistance from the BC Housing Management Commission. This judgment allows the Society to continue to pursue this goal. NST continues to represent the Society in the dispute.