Davidson v. Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Ltd.
Ontario Court of Justice
170 D.L.R. (4th) 559 (1999)
- Written by Steven Pacht, JD
Facts
Michael Davidson (plaintiff) owned season tickets for home games of the Toronto Blue Jays (club) (defendant) at the SkyDome. Davidson’s tickets were in the SkyClub section, which included the Home Plate Bar (bar). Until 1995, only SkyClub members could access the bar, but some non-Sky Club members were allowed access starting in 1995. Davidson was not informed of this change or that it could affect his ability to move freely between the bar and his seat. Davidson’s tickets stated they were revocable licenses but did not state he had to show his ticket when moving between the bar and his seat. On April 28, 1995, Davidson had dinner at the SkyDome’s Founders Club (club) before going to his seat to watch the game. No one asked Davidson to show his ticket when he entered the club, entered the SkyClub seating area from the club, or was shown to his seat. During the game, Davidson went to the bar; when he tried to return to his seat, he was asked to show his ticket. Davidson refused and returned to his seat. The police ultimately arrested Davidson for trespassing in violation of the Trespass to Property Act. Davidson sued the club and the police, claiming his arrest was unlawful because the act was inapplicable. Specifically, Davidson argued that a ticket holder could not be a trespasser under the act because the act states that someone acting under a right or authority conferred by law is not a trespasser and his ticket constituted such right or authority. The club and police responded that Davidson was a trespasser because (1) his license was not created until he presented his ticket and (2) he had an implied duty to present his ticket upon demand when going to his seat from the bar. Although the jury found that Davidson eventually showed his ticket and thus was not a trespasser, the court analyzed the scope of the act due to the uncertainty in the law.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Wilson, J.)
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