The Intersection Between Form And Substance In Corporate Law

In its recent decision in Mennillo v. Intramodal inc., 2016 SCC 51 ("Mennillo"), the Supreme Court of Canada addressed, for the first time since 2008, the oppression remedy. At issue was whether a corporation's failure to comply with the strict requirements of the Canada Business Corporations Act (the "CBCA") in completing a share transfer was oppressive, even though the share transfer was agreed to and directed by the company's shareholders and directors.

The majority of the Court, in reasons for judgment penned by Cromwell J., found that the intention to transfer the shares effectively trumped any deficiencies in carrying out that intention. There was a strong dissent, however, written by Côté J., who made an impassioned plea that courts not ignore statutory requirements or reward parties who do so.