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International, Transnational and Cross-border Litigation and Arbitration


Global Clientele. Local Disputes.

Heydary Hamilton regularly represents and advises foreign clients involved in legal proceedings in Ontario. In particular, our commercial litigators frequently defend foreign manufacturers and distributors who have been sued in products liability cases.

If you (or your client) are facing litigation in Ontario, Heydary Hamilton can give you quick, effective advice on how to proceed.

Where your rights or property are in jeopardy in Ontario, our experienced litigators are poised to quickly act to secure powerful emergency remedies such as injunctions, Anton Piller Orders and Mareva injunctions.

Heydary Hamilton offers international clients involved in Ontario disputes a team of highly effective and experienced litigators. Our team also provides sound advice and guidance to Ontario-based clients considering or responding to proceedings in other jurisdictions.

A particular strength is our awareness of the specialized needs of foreign litigants. Our lawyers have studied, practiced and been admitted in several foreign jurisdictions, including three American States, England, Bermuda and Dubai. They speak eight foreign languages, including Korean, Tagalog, Mandarin, Cantonese and Farsi.

Our commercial litigators have experience representing foreign clients in a number of industries, including manufacturing and distributing, especially in heavy industries; shipping and transportation; sports, entertainment and the arts; and travel and tourism.

Recent experience includes:

  • Defending a large Dutch equipment manufacturer in an Ontario proceeding.
  • Securing the return of a crane for Rhode Island clients.
  • Obtaining summary judgment for a group of American investors in a landmark fraud case.
  • Representing local clients in proceedings for the enforcement of an international arbitration award obtained by a Bangladeshi claimant.
  • Sale of goods litigation involving the exportation of gifts, craft goods and novelty items.
  • Representing a U.S. company in a local claim for alleged non-payment for financial services.
  • Sale of goods litigation involving a Chinese exporter.
  • Arranging for the service of a process in Ontario for a Bermudan client.
  • Securing an Ontario order for the arrest of an aircraft in the United States on behalf of a foreign client.
  • Representing an American auto part manufacturer who initiated e-commerce litigation in Ontario.
  • Acting for Ontario clients against U.S. franchisors.
  • Representing a U.S. technology company defending an employment claim in Ontario.
  • Obtaining an injunction against an Alberta lawyer.
  • Obtaining an injunction against an out-of-province party in a domain name dispute.
  • Representing an Ontario client in a Guyanese mining claim.
  • Representing a local client in a contract dispute with a Caribbean hotelier.
  • Representing a U.S. client in a dispute over the ownership of a Canadian corporation.
  • Advising a Chinese clothing manufacturer on a claim for unpaid goods.
  • Acting in a commodities dispute involving Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA) rules.
  • Representing a local client in an alleged copyright and trade-mark case brought by a U.S. company.
  • Representing a foreign blogger sued anonymously for defamation in Canada.
  • Regularly providing advice to clients in the United Arab Emirates.
  • Representing a local client in a claim against a U.K. employer for wrongful dismissal.
  • Negotiating severance package for a senior executive at an Italian-based multi-national fashion and eyewear company.
  • Defending a U.S. printing company in a wrongful dismissal claim by a former Canadian Sales Manager.
  • Defending an Ontario distributor against a claim arising from leakage of product into the hold of a cargo ship.

Our expertise includes:

  • Freezing Orders (Mareva Injunctions) and other temporary restraining orders
  • Arbitration Proceedings, including International Arbitrations
  • Multi-Jurisdictional Litigation
  • Conflict of Laws (Jurisdictional Challenges, Choice of Forum, Forum Non-Conveniens Motions, Choice of law)
  • Cross-Border Injunctive Relief
  • Complex Business Litigation, including Shareholder and Partnership Disputes
  • Enforcement of Foreign Judgments and Arbitral Awards in Canada
  • Letters of Credit and Bills of Exchange
  • Remedies under the International Sale of Goods Convention
  • Creditor’s Rights and Debt Recovery Litigation
  • Asset Recovery and Tracing
  • Retaining Foreign Counsel
  • Obtaining Evidence for use in Foreign Proceedings
  • Letters Rogatory (Letters of Request)