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History. Bank Act security was introduced nearly 100 years ago when provincial secured lending law was unreformedIt was innovative and ahead of its time in several respectsNotice filingNotice of Intention" filed in Bank of Canada RegistryAllows security in after-acquired propertyAbolished rule
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1. Commercial LawPart 3 – Bank Act Security & Mechanics’ LiensBank Act Security
2. History Bank Act security was introduced nearly 100 years ago when provincial secured lending law was unreformed
It was innovative and ahead of its time in several respects
Notice filing
“Notice of Intention” filed in Bank of Canada Registry
Allows security in after-acquired property
Abolished rule in Hopkinson v Rolt
It is now unnecessary in light of the PPSAs
3. Limitations Lender
Available only to banks governed by the Bank Act
Debtor
Natural resource sector
Manufacturers
Farming and acquiculture
4. Interaction btw PPSA & Bank Act PPSA and BAS are extremely poorly integrated
Priorities between PPSA security and BAS is obscure in almost every respect
All that is clear is that registered BAS has priority over subsequent PPSA security
It is usual for Bank to take both PPSA and Bank Act security and register separately
Then attempt to rely on which ever is most advantageous
5. Tax Liens Municipal taxes lien and public utility lien
Super-priority on real property without need for registration
E.g. Ont Municipal Act s. 349, Public Utilities Act s. 31
NB Real Property Tax Act s.11, Municipalities Act s. 189(10)
Local improvement liens (e.g NB Muncipalities s,117 ff)
Income tax, sales tax
Must be registered, if applicable
ITA s. 223, real and personal property
Ont Retails Sales Tax Act s. 23, personal property
6. Misc Liens Unpaid Vendor’s lien
Possessory lien, does not require registraton
s. 37, 38 Sale of Goods Act
Lien against property of employer for unapid wages
NB Employment Standards Act s. 381
Requires registration
Woodsmen’s Lien
Lien on lumber
Registration in court of Queen’s Bench
Etc.
Stable Keepers Act, C.C.S.M. c. S200
Possessory lien for costs of boarding animals
7. Mechanics’ Liens Lien against land
S. 4(1)
Basic idea is to protect subcontractors.
Much construction takes place with a general contractor and subcontractors.
Subcontractors are not in privity with owner.
Subcontractors may be small businesses.
Problem arises when contractor becomes insolvent and subcontractor has not been paid.
8. Mechanics’ Liens Acts may set up two remedies
lien
trust.
The Act creates a trust in the hands of certain persons
E.g builder for moneys received, in respect of amounts owing to subcontractors: see s.3 NB Act
The trust creates a purely personal remedy
It is effective against claims in bankruptcy and statutory liens.
Not all jurisdictions have trust fund remedy and it differs significantly between jurisdictions.
9. Mechanics’ Liens Lien is a real right
Enforceable by sale of property
Issues
Creation
Preservation
Priorities
10. Stop Here Fall 2008
11. Creation Lien arises in favour of any person doing work or furnishing materials: s.4
In many jurisdictions it also arises in favour of lessee of equipment.
Lien arises when work is done or materials are furnished: s.8
12. Preservation Lien expires
on payment of person claiming lien
on expiry of time set for filing, unless claim of lien is filed: s.25
Time varies 30-60 days: s.24. Also varies between jurisdictions.
90 days from filing of claim, unless action is commenced: s.27
Or, in NB only, after the expiry of the period of credit mentioned in the filed claim of lien.
If acting for a purchaser or lender, how far back should you search for a lien?
13. Preservation and Holdback Lien extinguished by good faith payment to contractor
Unless notice given to owner by subcontractor
Only up to holdback amount
15-20% in NB – s. 15(7)
Owner who pays full amount to contractor is nonetheless liable up to holdback amount to subcontractor who was not paid
Payment of holdback after time for expiry of lien extinguishes lien
Owner should search before paying holdback to contractor
14. Preservation and Holdback Owner who does not hold back is exposed
Is this good policy?
Who is more vulnerable, owner or subcontractor?
15. Priorities Lien has priority over unregistered interests
S. 9
16. Priorities – Registered Mortgages Generally, lien has super-priority for value which is attributable to the improvements made by the work secured by the lien
Much jurisdictional variation in details
E.g. NB
Mortgage registered before lien claim is filed
Has priority for advances made before lien claim is filed or actual notice of lien is given
But only up to the value of the land at the time the advance is made
So, lien which has arisen has priority to the extent that it increased the value of the property, even if unregistered and no notice
17. Priorities – Registered Mortgages Future advances
M’ee prior to other m’ee in respect of future advances unless actual notice is given
M’ee subordinated to lien holder even without notice
Why the difference in policy?
Should m’ee search for liens?
18. Lien on Goods and Chattels Personal property
Possessory lien only
S. 6