McMillan LLP's Emmanuelle Saucier available for comment on the Court of
Appeal Judgment - Brault & Martineau Inc. v. Riendeau class action lawsuit

MONTRÉAL, March 18 /CNW/ - McMillan LLP litigation lawyer, Emmanuelle Saucier, is available for expert comment on the Québec Court of Appeal's ruling on Brault & Martineau Inc. v. Riendeau, a class action lawsuit involving the illegal publicity of consumer credit and violations under the Consumer Protection Act.

In the judgment, Brault & Martineau Inc., a Québec furniture and electronics retailer, is ordered to pay approximately $2 million in punitive damages to customers who purchased goods between June 1, 2000 and December 31, 2003 and took part in the financing program.

This judgment clarifies the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act in Québec regarding a failure to mention an important fact in any representation made to a consumer and the risks for businesses if they are found in breach. It is now clear from this Judgment that the courts can impose punitive damages even in the absence of compensatory damages.

About Emmanuelle Saucier

Emmanuelle Saucier is a litigation lawyer in McMillan LLP's Montréal office and has acted for clients in complex class actions in Québec including the Linerboard, computer parts and aviation companies relating to price fixing. She has also been involved in class actions relating to the Consumer Protection Act for financial institutions and the automotive industry.

For further information: For interviews contact: Julie Goldsman, Marketing Manager, Montréal, McMillan LLP, p. [phone], [email protected]; David Eisenstadt, The Communications Group Inc., p. [phone] ext. 36, [email protected]; Catherine Meaney, National Director, Marketing and Business Development, McMillan LLP, p. [phone], [email protected]