Commercial Leasing: Arbitration & Remedies

Friday, May 6, 2011
Pan Pacific Hotel, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver

Who should attend: Commercial real estate lawyers with an intermediate level of experience in commercial leasing and those who advise clients about commercial leases on an occasional basis.

Learning level: Intermediate/Advanced

Course Chairs 
Richard J. Olson — McKechnie & Company, Vancouver
D. Ross McGowan — Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Vancouver

Welcome and Introduction

Richard J. Olson — McKechnie & Company, Vancouver
D. Ross McGowan — Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Vancouver

I. Commercial Leasing Arbitration

A. Problematic Arbitration Issues

• common problems in arbitration
• trapped by the clause—working around a difficult provision
• selecting the arbitrator(s)

Richard J. Olson — McKechnie & Company, Vancouver
D. Ross McGowan — Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Vancouver

B. Drafting Arbitration Clauses

• drafting arbitration clauses in leases—renewals and beyond
• scope of the clause
• lease renewal—what is “comparable”?
• big tenants
• smaller tenants

Catherine Gibson — Davis LLP, Vancouver
Peter J. Anderson — Boughton Law Corporation, Vancouver
Simon R. Coval — Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver

Networking Break

C. Conducting the Arbitration

• arbitrating lease disputes—renewals and other issues
• types of arbitration processes
• retaining experts—engaging and instructing an appraiser
• compilation of evidence
• conduct of the arbitration

Murray A. Clemens, QC — Nathanson Schachter & Thompson LLP, Vancouver
Gerald W.J. Ghikas, QC — Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Vancouver
Robert V. Wickett — MacKenzie Fujisawa LLP, Vancouver

Questions & Discussion

Lunch (on your own)

II. Remedies

A. Landlords’ and Tenants' Remedies—Point and Counter Point

• overview of landlords’ remedies in the event of default
• tenant strategies for defence and response to landlord claims
• negotiated solutions—landlord and tenant perspectives

Simon R. Coval — Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver
Robert B. Dawkins — Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Vancouver

B. Advising the Insolvent Tenant: Ethical Issues

• when is defence unethical?
• preferences
• the midnight move

H. Scott MacDonald — Richards Buell Sutton LLP, Vancouver

Networking Break

C. Advising the Annoyed Landlord: Ethical Issues

• defensive strategies for landlords
• avoiding surprises: contamination, physical damage, and other tenant misdeeds

Robert V. Wickett — MacKenzie Fujisawa LLP, Vancouver

III. Hot Topics in Commercial Leasing: Panel Discussion

• operating costs—the sky’s the limit?
• termination right in assignment clauses
• use clauses—tied up in “nots”?
• gross ups and base rent

Peter J. Anderson — Boughton Law Corporation, Vancouver
Catherine Gibson — Davis LLP, Vancouver
D. Ross McGowan — Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Vancouver
Richard J. Olson — McKechnie & Company, Vancouver

Questions & Discussion