Dempsey v. Pagefreezer Software Inc. and Riedijk
Nathan K. Dempsey
Law Firm / Organization
Self Represented
Pagefreezer Software Inc.
Law Firm / Organization
McInnes Cooper
Lawyer(s)

Noah Entwisle

Michael Riedijk
Law Firm / Organization
McInnes Cooper
Lawyer(s)

Noah Entwisle

Key Issues:

  • Pagefreezer Software Inc. and CEO Michael Riedijk sought a permanent sealing order on court records.
  • Nathan K. Dempsey, a former employee and shareholder, opposed, citing the open court principle and Charter rights.

Background:

  • Dempsey sued Pagefreezer in British Columbia, alleging fraud, perjury, and harassment. Courts dismissed his claims, declared him a vexatious litigant, and imposed cost awards totaling $336,852.64.
  • Pagefreezer sought enforcement in Nova Scotia, obtaining execution orders for:
    • $41,271.53 (Contempt Costs Award)
    • $295,581.11 (Special Costs Award)
  • Dempsey contested enforcement but failed in all appeals. He was also held in contempt for refusing to comply with discovery orders and served a 30-day jail sentence.

Rationale for Sealing Order:

  1. Judicial Comity: Nova Scotia must respect British Columbia’s sealing orders.
  2. Confidentiality: Dempsey’s filings contained sealed, sensitive materials.
  3. Proportionality: The case concerns cost enforcement, not re-litigation. Redactions were impractical.

Court’s Decision:

  • Sealing order granted permanently.
  • Dempsey must pay $500 in costs to Pagefreezer and Riedijk.
Supreme Court of Nova Scotia
Hfx No. 529459; Hfx No. 529459
Civil litigation
$ 336,853
Respondent