Background:

• The case arises from a family dispute over a company controlled by Craig Beattie. Court orders were made in 2021 and 2022 requiring an audit for the 2020 fiscal year.
• Craig Beattie, despite consenting to these orders, failed to complete the audit, leading to contempt proceedings.

Contempt Finding:

• Craig Beattie was held in contempt by Justice Wilson in July 2023 for failing to comply with the audit orders. His continued refusal resulted in a brief jail sentence, after which he agreed to proceed with the audit.

Cost Decision:

• The Applicant sought full indemnity costs, justified by the public policy principle that litigants should not bear financial burdens for enforcing court orders.
• Justice Devlin agreed, citing established case law, and ordered that Craig Beattie pay full solicitor-client costs, which would be assessed by an officer under Rule 10.34.
• The Applicant’s submitted costs totaled $41,321 for work since May 2023.

Further Consequences:

• Craig Beattie was warned that additional court appearances might result in further cost liabilities if non-compliance persisted.