What is the law with respect to the burden of proof where there is a sale between relatives for valuable consideration?

Alberta, Canada


The following excerpt is from 3D Microcomputers Wholesale & Distribution (Canada) Inc. v. Tung’s Enterprises Ltd, 2001 ABQB 237 (CanLII):

Counsel were agreed that the law with respect to the burden of proof where there is a sale between relatives for valuable consideration is that stated by Duff J. in Koop v. Smith (1915), 1915 CanLII 26 (SCC), 51 S.C.R. 554 at p. 558 and 559: I do not think the proposition put thus absolutely is part of the English law or of the law of British Columbia; but I think it is a maxim of prudence based upon experience that in such cases a tribunal of fact may properly act upon that when suspicion touching the reality or the bona fides of a transaction between near relatives arises from the circumstances in which the transaction took place then the fact of relationship itself is sufficient to put the burden of explanation upon the parties interested and that, in such a case, the testimony of the parties must be scrutinized with care and suspicion; and it is very seldom that such evidence can safely be acted upon as in itself sufficient. . . . I may add that I think it doubtful whether the Ontario decisions when properly read really do lay it down as a rule of law that the fact of relationship is sufficient in itself to shift the burden of establishing the burden of proof in the strict sense. It may be that the proper construction of these cases is that the burden of giving evidence and not the burden of the issue is shifted. . . . I think the true rule is that suspicious circumstances coupled with relationship make a case of res ipsa loquitur which the tribunal of fact may and will generally treat as a sufficient primâ facie case, but that it is not strictly in law bound to do so; and that the question of the necessity of corroboration is strictly a question of fact.

Other Questions


What is the burden of proof for a plaintiff in a medical malpractice case? (Alberta, Canada)
What is the burden of proof for an allegation of sexual assault? (Alberta, Canada)
What is the burden of proof in a discrimination case? (Alberta, Canada)
What is the testator's burden if proof is not met where there are suspicious circumstances surrounding the execution of a will? (Alberta, Canada)
What is the burden of proof in a civil case? (Alberta, Canada)
What is the test for a transaction for valuable consideration between a sister and her brother? (Alberta, Canada)
What is the burden of proof in a human rights case? (Alberta, Canada)
What is the burden of proof for damages in a motor vehicle accident? (Alberta, Canada)
What is accord and satisfaction when an obligation is released by means of valuable consideration? (Alberta, Canada)
Does the burden of proof against the Registrar of Motor Vehicles apply to motor vehicle accident claims? (Alberta, Canada)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.