Div Court Lets LAT Iron Wrinkles

The Ontario Divisional Court has weighed in on an application under the JRPA for a stay of LAT proceedings pending a review of 2 rulings refusing the insurers requests for an adjournment.

In Taylor v. Aviva there was a threshold legal issue as to whether the claimant was involved in an 'accident'. After the case Conference, and facing an unexpected affidavit in a written hearing proceeding, the insurer sought an adjournment of the case in order to cross examine the affiant and was denied. Twice. With no substantive reason provided. The insurer turned to the Divisional Court for relief and in particular a stay of the proceeding pending judicial review of the refusal to grant the adjournment. It was argued that there was a serious issue to be tried (relating to procedural fairness) and that irreparable harm would result if the stay was not granted.