Court of Appeal

CASE NO.                                                     VOL. NO.                                           PAGE

Cite as: Higgins v. Saunders, 1998 NSCA 197

STEPHEN HIGGINS                         - and -                        DOUGLAS SAUNDERS

Appellant                                                                                Respondent

C.A. No. 145737                                           Halifax                                    CHIPMAN, J.A.

APPEAL HEARD:                                       November 24, 1998

JUDGMENT DELIVERED:                       November 24, 1998

WRITTEN RELEASE OF ORAL:             November 26, 1998

SUBJECT:                           SMALL CLAIMS COURT - Appeal to Supreme Court - requirements to be met by adjudicator under s. 32(4) of the Small Claims Court Act

SUMMARY:                          An adjudicator rendered a decision between the parties and upon receipt of a copy of a notice of appeal to the Supreme Court, the adjudicator simply appended his seven page decision.  The Supreme Court held that in the circumstances this constituted compliance with the provisions of s. 32(4) of the Small Claims Court Act.  The appeal was dismissed.

ISSUE:                                  Whether the Supreme Court judge erred in finding that the adjudicator complied with the provisions of s. 32(4) of the Act.

RESULT:                              The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal held that in the circumstances of this case the adjudicator complied with the statutory requirement.  His decision clearly revealed findings of fact and law so as to enable the Supreme Court to determine whether any of the grounds of appeal listed in s. 32(1) of the Act existed.  Appellant’s counsel conceded that the adjudicator’s decision addressed all of the issues raised.