Accepting valuator's opinion on valuation to end corporate deadlock 'just and equitable'

Valuator's discretion to correct errors in report a recognition of professional judgment

Accepting valuator's opinion on valuation to end corporate deadlock 'just and equitable'
Allowing discretion in correction of errors a recognition of professional judgment

A judge had discretion to order a valuator to amend errors in his report as a just and equitable solution to a corporate deadlock, the British Columbia Court of Appeal has ruled

In Melcer Estate v. Boxer, 2022 BCCA 143, Radio City was incorporated by Joseph Boxer and George Melcer, with each owning one of two voting shares. Both men eventually died, with Melcer’s share controlled through his estate by a representative and Boxer’s share transferred to Boxer Holdings. The successors eventually found it difficult to manage Radio City.

In 2016, Melcer’s estate sued Boxer, with both parties conceding that there was a deadlock in the management of the company. In 2018, the judge ordered a valuation of Radio City and granted Boxer Holdings the option to purchase the estate’s share in the company. The business valuator provided a draft report in 2019 that provided an estimate using low fair market values. After correspondence with both parties, several errors were identified.

In 2020, both parties sought to have the valuation finalized. After hearing the applications, the judge ordered the valuator to finalize his report subject only to changes that he “in his sole discretion deems necessary” to address the errors identified.

Boxer appealed, arguing that the judge failed to order the correction of other errors they identified.

The appellate court disagreed.

Contrary to Boxer’s arguments, the judge was not tasked to make fact findings but to “decide whether it was necessary to direct the valuator to reconsider his opinion in order to arrive at a just and equitable remedy to resolve the deadlock,” said the court. It was an exercise of her discretion to conclude that accepting the opinion of the valuator would be a just and equitable solution to resolve the dispute, said the court.

Thus, the appellate court ruled that the alleged errors raised by Boxer were where the valuator exercised his professional judgment, and while other valuators may have approached it differently, the judge was entitled to accept it as presented.

Further, the judge’s conclusion that the order to finalize the valuation report was a just and equitable solution was highly discretionary, especially in the context of resolving a corporate deadlock, said the court.

Thus, the appeal was dismissed.

Recent articles & video

Great Hill clauses protecting privileged communications are growing in Canadian M&A contracts

Drew Network Asia expands to nine countries with addition of Bankgkok firm Tilleke & Gibbins

NS Supreme Court refuses to give parenting time to mother who tried to poison her son

Military veteran class action for disability payments a uniquely efficient process: lawyer

Sonali Sharma on unbundling and why lawyers need to shift from a scarcity to an abundance mindset

Last chance to take part in the Top Criminal Law and Labour & Employment Boutique surveys

Most Read Articles

Ontario Superior Court of Justice denies use of estate funds for trustees' litigation costs

Trust account misuse among reasons BC lawyer faces discipline for professional misconduct

BC courts change rules to permit emailed document delivery

Ontario Superior Court finds Brampton doctor liable for negligence resulting in patient's death