Ontario Severance

P. Estate v. Galway-Cavendish and Harvey (Township)

2013 ONCA 669 (CanLII)Court of Appeal for OntarioDecided Wrongful dismissal

Punitive Damages Reduced on Appeal for Malicious Prosecution

Appeal history

Summary

This is an appeal to the Court of Appeal from the trial judge's decisions on two re-trials, one for malicious prosecution and the other on the quantum of punitive damages. The employee was dismissed and then faced criminal charges that the trial judge found were initiated by the municipality withholding exculpatory evidence. The trial judge awarded $1 for malicious prosecution and $550,000 for punitive damages. The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal in part; the malicious prosecution finding stands, but the punitive damages award was reduced to $450,000 as the trial judge failed to consider the punitive elements of the other compensatory awards and costs already granted to the employee.

Outcome

appeal allowed in part; punitive damages reduced to $450,000

Award

$450,000 in punitive damages, $1 for malicious prosecution

Key Factors

  • malicious prosecution
  • initiation of proceedings
  • withholding exculpatory evidence
  • punitive damages
  • proportionality of damages

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This summary was written by AI from the published decision and its headnote. It is not an official version of the decision; read the full text on CanLII before relying on it. This is legal information, not legal advice. Ontario Severance is an educational tool. If you are facing a serious employment law matter, consult with a qualified employment lawyer in Ontario.