Why this case matters
This is but the most recent case addressing the circumstances
under which an arbitration award can be appealed. For a number of
years, parties have disputed the significance of words like
"binding" and "final" when seeking to determine
whether an award can be appealed. In this recent Ontario Court of
Appeal ("ONCA") decision, the Court
brings some much needed common sense to those words.
In Baffinland Iron Mines LP v. Tower-EBC G.P.,
S.E.N.C,
2023 ONCA
245 ("Baffinland"),
the ONCA upheld the Ontario Superior Court's
("ONSC") decision that leave to appeal
an arbitral award was unavailable to Baffinland Iron Mines
("BIM" or
the "Appellants") under s. 45(1) of
the Arbitration Act,
S.O 1991, c. 17 (the
"Act"), as the Court found that
the phrases "finally settled" and "final and
binding" meant the same thing and, in both cases, the parties
intended to preclude appeal rights following an arbitration.