Is there any case law where the defence has not established that privileged communications were privileged?

Alberta, Canada


The following excerpt is from Universal Weld Overlays Inc. v. Shaben, 2001 ABQB 1009 (CanLII):

The defendants also claim qualified privilege for a number of the allegations made. If I am incorrect in finding that they have not established that the occasions upon which the communications were made were privileged, that privilege is not absolute, and may be defeated if the dominant motive for publication is malice : Botiuk (supra at page 29). Malice may be established by evidence of an indirect motive that conflicts with a sense of duty, or by evidence that a defendant knew he was not telling the truth or showed a reckless disregard for the truth : Hill v. Church of Scientology of Toronto, 1995 CanLII 59 (SCC), [1995] 25 C.C.L.T. (2d) 89 (S.C.C.) at page 141.

Other Questions


Can the privilege over settlement communications be removed from an offer of communication? (Alberta, Canada)
What is the qualified privilege, if any, which protects communications that are in the interests of the general interests of society? (Alberta, Canada)
Does solicitor-client privilege apply to communications brought into existence by a government department? (Alberta, Canada)
Can malice defeat the defence of qualified privilege in a defamation action? (Alberta, Canada)
What is the defence of qualified privilege based on malice? (Alberta, Canada)
Does disclosure of privileged documents constitute a waiver of privilege? (Alberta, Canada)
What is the defence of self-defence in a murder case? (Alberta, Canada)
What is the defence of qualified privilege? (Alberta, Canada)
Can a solicitor be denied professional privilege over communications made in order to get advice for the purpose of carrying out a fraud? (Alberta, Canada)
What is the defence of qualified privilege in a defamation action brought by the Respondent Hrynchuk? (Alberta, Canada)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.