Christopher J. Cosgriffe, C.S.

Partner, Certified Specialist (Civil Litigation)

Christopher is a commercial litigator and arbitrator whose practice focuses on complex disputes, shareholder disputes, insolvency matters, employment litigation, environmental law and appellate advocacy. Christopher has appeared as lead counsel before all levels of courts in Ontario, including the Court of Appeal and Divisional Court. He has extensive trial experience, particularly in long, complex trials utilizing litigation document handling software. Christopher has also appeared before the Federal Court of Canada and has been granted special authorization to appear before the Superior Court of Quebec, the Quebec Court of Appeal and the Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court. Christopher has acted as an arbitrator through the auspices of the Canadian Commercial Arbitration Centre in Montreal.

Since 2008, Christopher has been certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Specialist in Civil Litigation. Recognition by the Law Society as a Certified Specialist (Civil Litigation) means that Christopher has achieved: superior standards in the substantive and procedural law for both typical and atypical cases; a timely appreciation of and ability to implement an entire range of appropriate remedies; sound judgment in proposing appropriate cost effective solutions and approaches for his clients; professionalism in his dealings with clients, courts and other lawyers; and, a commitment to ongoing professional development.

Below is a list of noteworthy cases in which Christopher has appeared as counsel:

  • Chapman v. GPM Investment Management, 2015 CarswellOnt 18281, 2015 ONSC 6591, 2016 C.L.L.C. 210-017, 261 A.C.W.S. (3d) 93 – Employment; Trial Practice
  • Wabush Mines v. Royal Bank of Canada, 2015 CarswellNfld 277, 2015 NLTD(G) 106, 1153 A.P.R. 89, 257 A.C.W.S. (3d) 77, 370 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 89, 78 C.P.C. (7th) 175 – Civil Practice
  • Hall v. Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management Inc., 2015 CarswellOnt 3134, 2015 ONSC 1438, 251 A.C.W.S. (3d) 89 – Wrongful Dismissal
  • Terradyne Construction Management Ltd. v. 6832458 Canada Inc., 2015 CarswellOnt 3658, 2015 ONSC 1495, 252 A.C.W.S. (3d) 13, 46 C.L.R. (4th) 213 (Div. Ct.) – Construction Lien
  • GFL Environmental Inc. v. Sittler Excavating Ltd., 2014 CarswellOnt 4671, 2014 ONCA 283 (C.A.) – Summary Judgment
  • Chapman v. GPM Investment Management, 2014 CarswellOnt 10278, 2014 ONSC 4452, 243 A.C.W.S. (3d) 536 – Civil Practice
  • Thorne v. AXA Canada Inc., 2012 CarswellOnt 4668, 2012 ONSC 2409, 110 O.R. (3d) 413, 25 C.P.C. (7th) 242, 290 O.A.C. 359, 8 C.C.L.I. (5th) 236 (Div. Ct.) Insurance; Civil Practice
  • Royal Bank v. Rastogi, 2011 CarswellOnt 197, 2011 ONCA 47, 330 D.L.R. (4th) 98 (C.A.) – Summary Judgment – Restitutionary Claim – Bank Act
  • Montcap Financial Corp. v. Schyven, 2011 CarswellOnt 5617, 2011 ONSC 4030 (S.C.J.) – Summary Judgment – Guarantee – Limitation Period
  • York-Med Systems Inc. v. Canadian Commercial Arbitration Centre, 2010 CarswellOnt 7328 2010 ONSC 632 (C.A.) – Forum Non Conveniens – Arbitration – Conflict of Laws
  • Brand Name Marketing Inc. v. Rogers Communications Inc., 2010 CarswellOnt 9548, 2010 ONSC 2892 (S.C.J. – Ontario Master); see also 2010 CarswellOnt 1386, 2010 ONSC 1159, 90 C.P.C. (6th) 253 (S.C.J. – Ontario Master) – Amendment of Pleadings
  • Monarch Construction Ltd. v. Axidata Inc., 2009 CarswellOnt 907, 2009 ONCA 166, 41 C.E.L.R. (3d) 1 (C.A.) – Liability for Environmental Damages
  • Banque Royale c. Cliffs Mining Co., 2009 CarswellQue 4383, EYB 2009-158550, 2009 QCCS 1986, J.E. 2009-1019 (Cour supérieure du Québec) – Interpretation of Equipment Leases
  • Al Mansouri v. Environmental Consulting Services Ltd., 2008 CarswellOnt 3525, 2008 ONCA 477 (C.A.) – Enforcement of Foreign Judgments
  • Monarch Construction Ltd. v. Axidata Inc., 2008 CarswellOnt 1746 (S.C.J.) – Costs and Orders
  • Chemical Equipment Fabricators Ltd. v. Cooper Standard Automotive Inc., 2007 CarswellOnt 697 (CA) – Interpretation of Construction Agreement
  • Royal Bank c. Cliffs Mining Co., 2007 CarswellQue 1836 (S. C. J.) – Interpretation of Equipment Lease
  • Monarch Construction Ltd. v. Axidata Inc., 2007 CarswellOnt 1271, 27 C.E.L.R. (3d) 258 (S.C.J.) – Damages for Environmental Contamination
  • Hermitt v. Wiltshire, 2005 CarswellOnt 118, 4 B.L.R. (4th) 137 (S.C.J.) – Oppression – Winding up of Corporation
  • Chemical Equipment Fabricators Ltd. v. Cooper Standard Automotive Inc., 2005 CarswellOnt 10002 (S.C.J.) – Interpretation of Construction Agreement
  • Levy-Russell Ltd. v. Shieldings Inc.; 2004 CarswellOnt 4263 (S.C.J. – Commercial List) – Insolvency – Oppression Action – Creditors’ Remedies
  • Birkett v. Astris Energi Inc., 2002 CarswellOnt 3925 (S.C.J.); aff’d 2004, 45 B.L.R. (3d) 293 (Ont. C.A.) – Shareholder’s Dispute
  • Algoma Steel Inc. v. Sempra Energy Trading Corp.; 2001 CarswellOnt 4198 (S.C.J. – Commercial List) – International Conflict of Laws
  • John E. Dodge Holdings Ltd. v. 805062 Ontario Ltd. (2001), 56 O.R. (3d) 341 (S.C.J.); aff’d 168 O.A.C. 252, 223 D.L.R. (4th) 541, 63 O.R. (3d) 304, 34 B.L.R. (3d) 12, 10 R.P.R. (4th) 98 (C.A.) – Breach of Agreement of Purchase and Sale – Specific Performance
  • ECS Educational Consulting Services Canada Ltd. v. United Arab Emirates (Armed Forces); 2000, 44 C.P.C. (4th) 127 (Ont. S.C.J.); aff’d 2000, 3 C.P.C. (5th) 76 (Ont. C.A.) – International Conflicts of Laws
  • Allen v. McLean, Budden Ltd.; 1998, 113 O.A.C. 33 (C.A.) – Departing Employee – Shareholder’s Rights
  • Modderman v. Ondaatje Corp., [1998] O.J. No. 3018 (Gen. Div.) – Letter of Intent
  • Kentucky Fried Chicken v. Scott’s Food Services Inc. (1997), 35 B.L.R. (2d) 21 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.)); rev’d (1998), 41 B.L.R. (2d) 42 (Ont.C.A.) – Breach of Contract – Right of First Refusal
  • Heel-Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH v. Acti Form Ltd. (1996), 67 C.P.R. (3d) 61 (Fed. Ct.) – Breach of Contract – Breach of Trademark – Interlocutory Injunction
  • Wool-Mart Inc. v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (1995), 64 C.P.R. (3d) 442 (Fed.Ct.) – Breach of Trademark – Interlocutory Injunction

Christopher has also acted for secured creditors, unsecured creditors, receivers and liquidators in many insolvencies including the following major insolvencies:

  • Priszm Income Fund
  • Gandi Innovations
  • Skyservice Airlines Inc.
  • Dominion Trust Company of Canada
  • Central Guaranty Trustco
  • Beamscope Canada Inc.
  • Philip Services Corp.
  • Livent Inc.
  • Algoma Steel Inc.
  • Air Canada
  • Norshield Asset Management