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Note added at 2002-07-29 08:56:20 (GMT)
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Termium

action au fond s FÉM


EX - (...) l\'action en cessation entraînera une action au fond (...) en dommages et intérêts, le juge du fond étant lié, à ce propos, par l\'appréciation du juge de l\'action en cessatio

EX dans "TERMIUM"– (...) l'action en cessation
entraînera une action au fond
(...) en dommages et intérêts,
le juge du fond étant lié, à ce
propos, par l'appréciation du
juge de l'action en cessation.

I don't think that in this instance its the phrase "action au fond" but rather "the substance of the action", "the heart of his action" as opposed to on a prima-facia (at first glance, on the face of it) basis.

Its handy to have an idea of the legal doctrine(s) involved. Let's break the whole thing down.

"ne peut faire inderdire à titre provisoire"
In other words, a temporary interlocutory injunction.

"la poursuite des actes argués de contrefaçon"
A lawsuit based on acts argued to constitute counterfeiting.

"que si son action au fond apparaît sérieuse"."
Here's the nub.

Can a judge grant an interlocutory interim injunction based on a prima-facia assessment of the facts.

The problem with "prima-facia" is that it is open to interpretation. Anything from "does the plaintiff have all the paperwork ready and does the plaintiff fit the bare requirements" to "after having axamined all the evidence and the legal arguments". The "bare requirements" for an interlocutory injunction can be as little as a motion for injunction to which is attached an affidavit justifying the motion.

The "sérieuse" part is an examination of whether or not there is a triable issue, whether its a frivolous question or not. Is there enough here, the judge must ask him- or herself, that a judge *might* grant a favorable judgment to the plaintiff (as opposed to "there's no way this action can succeed because there's a fatal flaw in the statement of claim")?

The defense is claiming that the question must be examined completely, in substance, rather than on a prima-facia basis.

Generally "fond" is found as opposite to certain "questions procédurales". The "fond" is not only the main issue, but it involves every problem which is not a procedural one. The substantive action is that part of the action which deals with the existance of the right.

fond
apporter des modifications de fond notables à la réglementation en vigueur
make substantive changes to existing regulations/to (publication of proposed regulations) L.R., c. M-10.01; 11(4)
élément de preuve au fond
substantive evidence L.R., c. I-2; 29(6)(b)
modification de fond
material substantive change (in a regulation) L.R., c. R-1; 13(3)(b)
substantive change (to an existing regulation) L.R., c. C-23.4; 34(4)
modification de fond importante
material substantive change (in a regulation) L.R., c. C-44; 261(3)(d)/ c. E-20; 10(9)(b)
modification de fond notable
substantive change (to an existing regulation) L.R., c. E-6.4; 26(2)(b)
modification importante au fond
material substantive change (in a regulation) L.R., c. S-1; 3(4)(b)
obtenir gain de cause sur la plupart des moyens de défense au fond
substantially successful on the merits in the defence/to be (of an action) L.R., c. I-11.8; 221(3)(a)/ c. T- 19.8; 217(3)(a)
point de fond
substantial question (of patentability) L.R., c. P-4; 48.2(2)
porter au fond sur le dossier d'instance
on the merits based on the record of the proceedings/to be (appeal) L.R., c. A- 2; 8.1(3)
question préalable ou sentence sur le fond
preliminary question or award on the merits (arbitration) L.R., c. C- 34.6; ann. IV, 16(3)
règles juridiques de fond
substantive law L.R., c. C-34.6; ann. V, 28(1)
soumettre ses premières conclusions quant au fond du différend
submit one's first statement on the substance of the dispute/ to L.R., c. C-34.6; ann. II, 8(1)
statuer au fond sur un droit
determine a substantive right/to L.R., c. F-7; 2(1) "jugement définitif"

In critical reasoning, a fundamental element in law, the strongest argument is the most warranted.

here are two options:

the warrant of this action/claim appears to be serious

or
if the action in itself/by itself appears serious