This case, Zeinali v. Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), heard before the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta (2023 ABKB 699), involves the plaintiff, Hossein Zeinali, seeking orders related to questioning and undertakings in a legal dispute with the defendants, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) and Petronas Energy Canada Ltd.
Key Points:
- Plaintiff's Application: Zeinali sought to compel answers to undertakings and refused questions during a March 14, 2023, questioning of Giantommaso Colaneri, a representative of Petronas Energy Canada.
- Background:
- Zeinali filed his claim in June 2022, with Petronas Energy Canada defending it, while Berhad (Petronas) moved to challenge jurisdiction.
- Petronas Energy Canada filed for summary dismissal, arguing that any relationship the plaintiff had was with Berhad, not with them.
- Undertakings:
- The court reviewed several undertakings from the questioning. Most of these were deemed irrelevant to the ongoing applications regarding jurisdiction and summary dismissal, such as who received or sent affidavits.
- The court upheld one undertaking: the defendants must provide information on the ownership of Petronas Carigali Canada B.V.
- Refused Questions:
- Many questions posed by Zeinali were either unintelligible or irrelevant, often addressing legal issues inappropriate for witness testimony or involving privileged information.
- The plaintiff frequently repeated improper or unclear questions, which the court criticized.
- Conclusion: Most of the plaintiff's application was dismissed, with costs awarded to the defendants, totaling $6,750 plus disbursements.
