Latest news with #legaldispute
CTV News
11 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Scales of Justice: Lawsuits between Reptilia and Westmount Shopping Centre concern animal welfare group
The embattled reptile zoo in Westmount Mall has landed in court over a rent dispute with its landlord. CTV London's Daryl Newcombe explains. The claws are out in a legal dispute over Reptilia's 20-year lease at Westmount Shopping Centre and allegations that the reptile zoo owes the mall unpaid rent. In February, a Statement of Claim was filed by 785 Wonderland Road Inc. (Westmount Shopping Centre) against Reptilia that alleges, 'The tenant failed to pay the full rent to the landlord for the months of October, November and December 2024, as well as January and February 2025.' The mall is seeking rent arrears of $153,348 plus interest, and a $100,000 payment based on a Minutes of Settlement reached in August 2024. On June 20, Reptilia responded in a Statement of Defence that denies the allegations. The indoor reptile zoo also launched a Counterclaim against the mall for more than a million dollars. Reptilia's filing refers to its lengthy legal dispute with the City of London about whether the provincially licensed reptile zoo must comply with London's Animal Control By-Law that forbids displaying exotic species. Specifically, Reptilia refers to a clause in its lease agreement, 'In the event that the City of London or any other authority having jurisdiction requires any amendments to the zoning by-laws or regulations to permit the Tenant's use set out in this Section 9.01 (a) of this Lease, the Landlord shall be responsible, at its sole cost and expense' Reptilia's Counterclaim against Westmount Shopping Centre alleges it has suffered 'significant operational losses' directly resulting from the property not being zoned for its use. The reptile zoo is seeking $1 million for negligent misrepresentation and $275,000 for breach of contract. 'The decision from the City of London and the application commenced by the City of London garnered significant media attention, which negatively impacted Reptilia London's operations including the number of visitors to its facilities,' the Counterclaim states. 'Additionally, as the result of the decision by the City of London, many educational facilities, including School Boards, refused to work with Reptilia London based on concerns of Reptilia London's operations being in contravention of the Animal Control By-Law. Reptilia's educational programs usually make up a significant portion of its revenues.' Zoocheck Canada says the legal documents are another cause for concern among animal welfare advocates. 'Our biggest concern is the animals that are located at that facility,' said Julie Woodyer of Zoocheck Canada. 'Obviously that's a great concern to us whenever we start hearing that there's these ongoing battles in court and assertions that the finances just aren't there.' Reptilia continues to operate its zoo inside the mall. John Winston, who has been engaged with Reptilia since the business arrived in London tells CTV News in a statement, 'This is a landlord/tenant dispute. Rest assured that care of the animals is not, and would never be, compromised.' Winston emphasizes, 'Ontario Animal Welfare Services has inspected the facility three times since opening and determined it was operating to provincial standards.' Zoocheck Canada obtained emails between the Thames Valley District School Board and representatives of Reptilia through a Freedom of Information Request. The correspondence focusses on the school board's resistance to bringing students to Reptilia based on concerns about accreditation and the dispute with city hall regarding the Animal Control By-Law. 'The school boards, rightly so, do not consider it a proper way to educate children,' added Woodyer. CTV News has yet to receive a response from the operator of Westmount Shopping Centre about the court documents filed by Reptilia. Allegations made in the Statement of Claim, Statement of Defence, and Counterclaim have not been tested in court.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Judicial Investigation opened after Kylian Mbappé files moral harassment claim against PSG over 2023 ‘loft'
A long-running dispute between Kylian Mbappé (26) and Paris Saint-Germain has taken a new legal turn. According AFP and Le Parisien, a judicial investigation has been opened following a complaint from the former PSG forward for moral harassment. The complaint filed on 16th May targets PSG's handling of Mbappé's situation in the summer of 2023, when he was excluded from the first-team squad and placed in the club's now-infamous 'loft' – a term used in French football to describe players sidelined during contractual disputes. Two investigating magistrates have now been assigned to the case, with the investigation formally opened on Tuesday. Advertisement The current Real Madrid player alleges PSG attempted to coerce him into signing a new deal by isolating him from the squad, a tactic the player's lawyers equate to psychological pressure. The complaint also refers to 'attempted extortion of a signature.' This practice is not new. In early 2024, the French players' union (UNFP) filed a similar complaint, denouncing the use of 'loft' groups across Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 as a widespread form of pressure to either force transfers or renewals. PSG are not alone in facing legal scrutiny, but the profile of this case makes it particularly significant. A parallel dispute between Mbappé and PSG is also set to unfold in the labour courts, with a complaint expected to be lodged in the coming days. The financial aspects of this case reportedly concern bonuses and unpaid sums linked to Mbappé's final year under contract. Mbappé is not the only footballer to have taken legal action against PSG over similar issues. Former women's team midfielder Kheira Hamraoui, who now plays in Saudi Arabia, also lodged a harassment complaint earlier this year, alleging she was sidelined by the club post-injury to force her departure. GFFN | George Boxall
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
India's NSE offers $160 million to settle with regulator, move ahead with IPO
The National Stock Exchange of India has offered to pay the country's markets regulator Rs13.88 billion ($160 million) to settle a legal dispute so it can proceed with a long-delayed initial public offering, three sources said. The sum is set to be largest settlement made with the markets regulator in India's history. India's biggest bourse and the world's most active derivatives exchange has been embroiled in litigation with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) since 2019 when it was fined Rs11 billion for failing to provide equitable access to all its trading members. They are negotiating an out-of-court settlement, according to two of the sources. All three sources, who have direct knowledge of the discussions, were not authorised to speak to media and declined to be identified. The regulator is likely to grant the exchange a certificate stating it has no objection to an IPO within three months, said one source. "If all goes as per expected timelines, NSE's IPO could hit the markets before May next year," said another source. NSE declined to comment. SEBI did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment. The cash-rich Mumbai-headquarted NSE has been trying to list since 2016 to enable some of its biggest investors to exit. But has been prevented by the regulator's investigations and then the fine. NSE challenged the penalty in court which ordered certain parts of SEBI's order to be set aside, which the regulator later appealed at the nation's top court. Among NSE's largest investors are the Life Insurance Corporation of India with a 10.72% stake and the State Bank of India with 7.76%, while Morgan Stanley owns 1.58% and the Canada Pension Investment Plan Board has 1.60%. Its main domestic rival, BSE Ltd, listed in 2017. SEBI is conducting an inspection of the exchange's systems and processes before the no-objection certificate is issued, said two of the sources. SEBI wrote to the NSE in February flagging concerns about the bourse's internal processes, including how management is appointed and remunerated, its failure to appoint a chairperson and technology shortfalls. The settlement, if accepted by the regulator, will need the approval of India's top court, two of the sources said.
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Indian Stocks Regulator Gets Record Settlement Offer from NSE
The National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. has applied to the regulator to settle a legal dispute by paying a record amount of nearly 14 billion rupees ($163 million), according to people familiar with the matter, potentially removing a key hurdle toward its public listing. The formal settlement offer will now be discussed by an internal panel at the Securities and Exchange Board of India before being passed to senior authorities for approval, the people said, asking not to be identified as the discussions are private.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
India's NSE offers $160mln to settle with regulator, move ahead with IPO, sources say
MUMBAI: The National Stock Exchange of India has offered to pay the country's markets regulator 13.88 billion rupees ($160 million) to settle a legal dispute so it can proceed with a long-delayed initial public offering, three sources said. The sum is set to be largest settlement made with the markets regulator in India's history. India's biggest bourse and the world's most active derivatives exchange has been embroiled in litigation with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) since 2019 when it was fined 11 billion rupees for failing to provide equitable access to all its trading members. They are negotiating an out-of-court settlement, according to two of the sources. All three sources, who have direct knowledge of the discussions, were not authorised to speak to media and declined to be identified. The regulator is likely to grant the exchange a certificate stating it has no objection to an IPO within three months, said one source. "If all goes as per expected timelines, NSE's IPO could hit the markets before May next year," said another source. NSE declined to comment. SEBI did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment. The cash-rich Mumbai-headquarted NSE has been trying to list since 2016 to enable some of its biggest investors to exit. But has been prevented by the regulator's investigations and then the fine. NSE challenged the penalty in court which ordered certain parts of SEBI's order to be set aside, which the regulator later appealed at the nation's top court. Among NSE's largest investors are the Life Insurance Corporation of India with a 10.72% stake and the State Bank of India with 7.76%, while Morgan Stanley owns 1.58% and the Canada Pension Investment Plan Board has 1.60%. Its main domestic rival, BSE Ltd, listed in 2017. SEBI is conducting an inspection of the exchange's systems and processes before the no-objection certificate is issued, said two of the sources. SEBI wrote to the NSE in February flagging concerns about the bourse's internal processes, including how management is appointed and remunerated, its failure to appoint a chairperson and technology shortfalls. The settlement, if accepted by the regulator, will need the approval of India's top court, two of the sources said. ($1 = 85.9520 Indian rupees)
