It started with Darren Liptrot, a student at Vancouver College in the 1980s. Darren knew that other students survived the same kind of abuse by Christian Brothers that he did. Instead of filing an individual lawsuit he brought a class action on behalf of all former students who experienced similar abuse. By serving as the representative plaintiff, Darren hopes to shoulder the burden for his classmates and others who aren’t ready to go public or pursue justice alone. In March 2023, the BC Supreme Court certified the class action and appointed Darren as the representative plaintiff for all class members.

The students’ case was brought by a team of lawyers at CFM, a law firm in Vancouver that specializes in class actions and complex civil trials. The team at CFM began investigating the case in 2020, filed the lawsuit in 2021 and, in March 2023, were appointed by the BC Supreme Court to represent all former students who claim to have experienced abuse.

A class action is a lawsuit filed by one person who represents a group with common issues. Common issues are questions that can be answered by the court and advance everyone’s case. For example, What were the schools’ policies for vetting new teachers? By answering questions like these at a common issues trial, the court can determine whether institutions like the schools and the Archdiocese were negligent. If so, individuals can then bring their claims across the finish line by showing how they were personally harmed by that negligence.

Former students will receive an official notice which has been approved by the court. It will contain important information about the class action, your legal options, and any relevant deadlines. As “class counsel” the lawyers at CFM represent all the class members: you can contact them any time to ask questions or share information that might help the case. Anything you share with your lawyers at CFM is confidential and protected by solicitor-client privilege.

Meanwhile, the team at CFM will be preparing for the common issues trial by gathering evidence, reviewing the defendants’ internal documents and questioning them under oath.

You’re in control of whether and how you participate in the case. You can maintain your privacy, stand back and wait to see the outcome of the common issues trial; or you can meet with your lawyers, provide information to strengthen the case for everyone, and even attend hearings in court: it’s up to you. Anything you share with CFM is confidential and protected by solicitor-client privilege.

After the common issues trial (or if a settlement is proposed) there will be a process to assess individual claims, including individual entitlements to financial compensation. We believe this process must allow former students to participate on a confidential basis to protect their privacy. At every step, class counsel will be there to guide you through the process, advise you about privacy protections, and answer any questions.