Are judicial review proceedings a condition precedent to a damages action for abuse of power?

British Columbia, Canada


The following excerpt is from Camp Development Corporation v. Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority, 2010 BCCA 284 (CanLII):

There is considerable debate in Canada as to when judicial review proceedings are a condition precedent to the bringing of an action for damages. Certainly there are cases in which parties have succeeded in suing for abuse of power without first taking steps to overturn the impugned administrative act or to have it declared a nullity – perhaps the most famous such case is Roncarelli v. Duplesis, 1959 CanLII 50 (SCC), [1959] S.C.R. 121.

In recent years, however, beginning with Canada v. Grenier, 2005 FCA 348, 262 D.L.R. (4th) 337, the federal courts have developed a line of authority that takes the position that an action for damages based on unlawful administrative acts cannot proceed unless judicial review proceedings challenging the validity of those acts has first been brought in a timely manner.

Other Questions


Is a class action proceeding preferable to an individual action proceeding? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is the judicial review approach used by a court engaged in judicial review? (British Columbia, Canada)
What are the standards of review applicable to a judicial review of a decision made under the Rules of Review Act? (British Columbia, Canada)
Is it an abuse of process to pursue substantially similar remedies in a civil action as were being sought in the ongoing judicial review? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is the standard of review for an application for judicial review of a statutory tribunal? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is the standard of review on a judicial review of a decision of the Superintendent to uphold an IRP? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is the test for dismissing a judicial review proceeding for unreasonable delay? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is the standard of review for a judicial review of a decision of an adjudicator confirming a roadside driving prohibition? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is the standard of review analysis on a judicial review application? (British Columbia, Canada)
In what circumstances will the BCSC review the applicable standard of review apply to a point of law arising in interlocutory proceedings? (British Columbia, Canada)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.