Overview:

• Agreement: In December 2018, the Hopkins contracted Reid to construct a home and laneway house.
• Completion: 2021.
• Claims: Reid filed a builder's lien for $650,209.55, alleging breach of contract. The Hopkins counterclaimed for delays and additional costs.

Subcontractor Actions:

• Subcontractors filed claims totaling $170,261.28, interconnected with the main action.

Legal Framework:

• Rule 22-5(8): Permits consolidation or concurrent trials for related actions to enhance efficiency and consistency.

Court's Analysis:

1. Common Claims: All actions are related to the same construction project.
2. Pre-Trial Savings: Limited extensive pre-trial procedures required.
3. Reduction in Trial Days: Combined trial avoids duplicative evidence presentation.
4. Inconvenience: Manageable by allowing selective participation for some subcontractors.
5. Expert Testimony: Savings in fees by avoiding repetitive appearances.
6. Avoiding Multiplicity: Resolves all claims simultaneously.
7. Commonality vs. Prejudice: High degree of intertwined issues justifies combined trial.
8. Action Stages: Main action is trial-ready; subcontractor actions are not.
9. Trial Delay: Possible but mitigated with interest awards.
10. Inconsistent Findings: Separate trials risk conflicting judgments.

Result:

• Order: All six actions will be tried together for efficiency and consistency.
• Costs: Hopkins awarded costs against Reid for the application. No amount was specified.

Conclusion:

• The court's decision ensures judicial efficiency and consistency by consolidating the main and subcontractor disputes into a single trial.