Competition Bureau obtains court order to advance an investigation into Dye & Durham's business practices

GATINEAU, QC, Nov. 7, 2024 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau obtained a court order to gather information and advance an ongoing investigation into alleged anti-competitive conduct by Dye & Durham Limited. Dye & Durham provides conveyancing software to assist legal practitioners with the buying, selling, and financing of residential real estate.

The order, granted by the Federal Court, requires Dye & Durham to produce records and written information that are relevant to the Bureau's investigation of whether the company is engaging in conduct contrary to the restrictive trade practices provisions of the Competition Act, including abuse of a dominant position.

The Bureau is looking to determine if the alleged anti-competitive conduct is harming competition in Canada's conveyancing software industry. This includes examining certain practices that may prevent competing conveyancing software firms from supplying products or services to legal practitioners.

There is no conclusion of wrongdoing at this time.

Seeking information from the public

The Bureau is also inviting market participants – users of conveyancing software, competitors of conveyancing software and providers of complementary software – to share their experiences by emailing [email protected]. The feedback will help the Bureau assess if Dye & Durham's conduct raises issues under the law. All the information received will be thoroughly reviewed and considered, and will be kept confidential, subject to certain exceptions.

Quick facts  

• Dye & Durham supplies a range of legal software products and services in Canada, including those to assist with the conveyancing process.
• Real estate conveyancing involves the act of transferring title, or interests in title, on a property from one party to another.
• Abuse of dominance occurs when a dominant business (or a group of businesses) engages in activity that substantially harms competition in a market.

Associated links 

• Abuse of dominance
• Abuse of Dominance Enforcement Guidelines
• Information Bulletin on the Communication of Confidential Information Under the Competition Act

General information: 

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The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that protects and promotes competition for the benefit of Canadian consumers and businesses. Competition drives lower prices and innovation while fueling economic growth. 

SOURCE Competition Bureau

Contacts : Media inquiries: Media Relations : Email: [email protected]