Property Law deals with the relationship between persons and tangible and intangible things based on such concepts of “ownership.” We will consider how such rights arise, are managed, may be transferred or assigned, and might be extinguished or forfeited. As we proceed we will also consider such vehicles for property management as the use of a trust. The key to understanding property law is to appreciate the balancing of interests in respect of ownership of a particular thing, and those institutional considerations that allow property rights to be exploited and vindicated.
Materials:
There is no casebook or textbook required.
Assessment:
50% of your final grade will be assessed in relation to materials and topics taught in the Fall Term:
Two online quizzes: 5% each = 10% of your final grade. Details TBD.
December Examination: 10% of your final grade (up to 25% if the additional weight above 10% improves your final grade)
Final Examination: Part of the final exam will deal with materials and topics taught in the Fall Term and will be worth 15-30% of your final grade (determined by the weight accorded to the December examination)
Classes:
Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:00-11:30am (Law Building, Classroom 003). Classes will be held exclusively in person.
Classes & Readings
(“under construction”)
September 7, 2023
No reading required. This will probably be a shortened class to discuss expectations and explain how the course will be taught.
September 12, 2023
No reading required. Introductory concepts.
September 14, 2023
I. Entitlement: “Property” and “Ownership” at Common Law
(a) What Do We Want to Protect and How?
Sarah E Hamill, “Common Law Property Theory and Jurisprudence in Canada” (2015), 40 Queen’s LJ 679
Victoria Park Racing and Recreational Grounds Ltd v Taylor (1937), 58 CLR 479 (Aust. H.C.)
September 21, 2023
International News Service v. Associated Press, 248 U.S. 215 (1918, U.S.S.C.
R. v. Stewart, 1988 CanLII 86 (S.C.C.)
September 26 & 28, 2023
(b) Ownership, Possession,” and Control
Harrison v. Carswell, [1976] 2 SCR 200 (S.C.C.)
Pierson v. Post, 3 Cai. R. 175 (1805, NYSC)
Nakhuda v Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, 2013 ONSC 5761 (S.C.J.)
October 3, 2023
II. Common Law and Equity
Soulos v. Korkontzilas, 1997 CanLII 346 (S.C.C.)
October 5, 2023
III. Acquisition
(a) Intellectual Property
Baker v. Selden, 101 U.S. 99 (1879)
Cuisenaire v. South West Imports Ltd., 1967 CanLII 1106 (Excheq.); appeal dismissed, 968 CanLII 122 (S.C.C.)
October 10, 2023
(b) Finding
Armory v Delamirie, (1722) 93 ER 664 (K.B.)
Bridges v. Hawkesworth (1851), 21 L.J.Q.B. 75 (Q.B.)
South Staffordshire Water Co. v. Sharman, [1896] 2 Q. B. 44
October 12, 2023
Hannah v. Peel, [1945] 1 K.B. 509 (K.B.)
Bird v. The Town of Fort Frances, 1949 CanLII 79 (Ont. H.C.)
Kowal v. Ellis, 1977 CanLII 1866 (Man. C.A.)
October 17, 2023
Grafstein v. Holme & Freeman, 1958 CanLII 97 (Ont. C.A.)
White v. Alton-Lewis Ltd., 1974 CanLII 740 (Ont. County Ct.)
October 19, 2023
(c) Gifts, Gifting, and Undue Influence
Teixeira v. Markgraf Estate, 2017 ONCA 819 (C.A.)
Fichera v. McAllister, 2021 ONSC 2685 (S.C.J.)
October 24, 2023
Re Marsh Estate (1991), 1991 CanLII 2566 (N.S.C.A.)
Pascu v. Benke, 2005 CanLII 1086 (Ont. S.C.J.)
October 31, 2023
(d) Gratuitous Transfers and the Doctrine of Resulting Trust
Pecore v. Pecore, 2007 SCC 17 (S.C.C.)
MacIntyre v. Winter, 2021 ONCA 516 (Ont. C.A.)
November 2, 2023
III. Third Party Possession: Bailment
Heffron v. Imperial Parking Co., 1974 CanLII 801 (Ont. C.A.)
Letwin v. Camp Mart, 2021 ONSC 4175 (S.C.J.)
November 7 and 9, 2023
No classes.
November 14, 2023
V. Dealings with Property
(a) Formalities
Statute of Frauds, R.S.O. 1990, c.S.19
(b) Vesting of Interests
Perpetuities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P.9
Quercus Algoma Corporation et al. v. Algoma Central Corporation, 2021 ONSC 2457 (S.C.J.)
November 16, 2023
(c) Trusts, Trustees, and Agents
Hydro-Electric Power Commission v Brown, 1959 CanLII 123 (Ont. C.A.)
Air Canada v. M & L Travel Ltd., 1993 CanLII 33 (S.C.C.)
November 21, 2023
VI. Liability for Interference: Conversion, Detinue, & Replevin
384238 Ontario Ltd. v. Canada, 1983 CanLII 2849 (Fed. C.A.)
Kew v. Konarski, 2020 ONSC 4677 (Ont. S.C.J.)
November 23, 2023
VII. Causes and Remedies that Change Proprietary Entitlements
Garland v. Consumers’ Gas Co., 2004 SCC 25 (S.C.C.)
Kerr v. Baranow, 2011 SCC 10 (S.C.C.)
November 28, 2023
Moore v. Sweet, 2018 SCC 52 (S.C.C.)
Ontario (Attorney General) v. Norwood Estate, 2021 ONCA 493 (C.A.)