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INTHESUPREMECOURTOFBRITISHCOLUMBIA
Citation:

P.S.v.H.R.,
2016BCSC2071
Date:20161109
Docket:S52053
Registry:Kamloops

Between:
P.S.
Plaintiff
And
H.R.
Defendant

Before:TheHonourableMr.JusticeBlok

ReasonsforJudgment
CounselforthePlaintiff:
CounselfortheDefendant:
PlaceandDatesofTrial:
PlaceandDateofJudgment:

D.Buchanan
R.Mostar
A.Boland
Kamloops,B.C.
June2021,2016
Kamloops,B.C.
November9,2016

I.Introduction
[1]Mr.S.andMs.R.hadtheverydefinitionofawhirlwindrelationship.Theyfirstmetinlate
September2013.ByOctobertheywereromanticallyinvolved.OnOctober30,2013theywent
shoppingforanengagementring.Mr.S.proposedonChristmasDay.Ms.R.accepted.OnJanuary
4,2014theirrelationshipendedabruptly.
[2]DuringtheirbriefrelationshipMr.S.,awealthyman,retiredMs.R.smortgageandlineofcredit,
whichtogethertotalled$85,000.Hedidthisonhisowninitiative,withoutanyrequestorpromptingon
Ms.Rspart.HealsogaveMs.R.anengagementringcosting$17,360.
[3]Mr.S.nowseeksthereturnofthemonieshepaidtoretireMs.R.sdebts.Healsoseeksthe
returnoftheengagementring,orjudgmentforitsvalue.
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[4]Mr.S.saysthesewereconditionalgifts,thatistosay,giftsincontemplationofmarriage.The
conditionhavingfailed,hesaysMs.R.mustreturnthemoneyandthering.Ms.R.saysthegiftswere
absolutegifts,notconditionalgifts.
II.Background
[5]Mr.S.is64.Heretiredin2005,havingsoldasuccessfulbusinessforalargesumofmoney.
Hehasbeenmarriedanddivorcedtwicebefore.HelivesinatownintheInterior.
[6]Ms.R.is59.Sheisahealthcareprofessionalandworksfulltime.ShelivesintheLower
Mainland.Shewasmarriedpreviouslyandwasdivorcedabouteightyearsago.
[7]Afterbeingintroducedbymutualfriends,thepartiesexchangedemails,photographsand
telephonecallsbeforeactuallymeetinginperson.Fortheirfirstdate,whichwastheirfirstinperson
meeting,Mr.S.flewtotheVancouverareainhisprivateairplane.Theydinedtogether.Thingswent
verywell.Mr.S.saidhewassweptaway.Hesaidtheysharedsimilarvaluesandinterests,
includingspiritualinterests.
[8]Ms.R.wassomewhatmorerestrainedindescribingherinitialreactiontomeetingMr.S.,but
sheagreedshehadaninitialattractiontoMr.S.andthatthetwoofthemhititoff.
[9]Theevidenceaboutthelatereventsdivergessomewhatatthispoint,andsoIwillnow
summarizetheevidenceofthepartiesseparately.
III.Evidence
A.Mr.S.
[10]Mr.S.testifiedthatsometimeinthemonthofOctoberhecametobelievehelovedMs.R.and
thatshefeltthesamewayabouthim.Thatsamemonththeybegantodiscussmarriage,startingwith
adiscussionoftheirattitudestowardsbeingmarriedagaininfutureandthentoadiscussionofbeing
marriedtoeachother.Mr.S.saidthediscussionevolvedtoadecisiontogetmarried.Itall
happenedveryquicklyandtookjustamatterofdays.
[11]BymidtolateOctober2013Mr.S.hadtheimpressionthatthetwoofthemhadagreedtoget
married.Mr.S.saidhegainedthisimpressionfrom,amongotherthings,adiscussiontheyhadabout
attendingamarriagecounsellingworkshopthathadbeenbroughttoMr.S.sattention.Hesenther
thebrochureonOctober24,2013.Ms.R.agreedtheyshouldgoiftheycould,althoughatthatpoint
thedateconflictedwithanothereventand,asitturnedout,theydidnotattend.
[12]Mr.S.asserted,however,thattheyhadalreadydecidedonmarriagebythispoint,otherwisehe
wouldnothavesentthebrochure.
[13]ThetwoofthemshoppedforringsonOctober30,2013.Mr.S.couldnotrecallhowthiscame
about,buthesaidtheyshoppedindowntownVancouver.Theywenttojustonejewellerystore.They
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choseanengagementringforMs.R.,buttheringondisplaywasnottherightsize,soitwasnot
purchasedthatday.Mr.S.paidadepositof$8,860,halfthepriceofthering,tosecuretheorder.
[14]Mr.S.saidhewasaveryhappymanbecausehewasinloveandwasgoingtomarryavery
niceyounglady.Shetooseemedhappy,elatedandfullofjoy.
[15]InearlyNovemberMr.S.paidoffMs.R.slineofcreditandmortgage.Hesaidthiswasentirely
hisidea.ItcameaboutfollowingageneraldiscussionoffinancesandhowMr.S.arrangeshisown
financessuchthathecanwriteoffinterestasanexpense.Hetestifiedthatitmadesenseforhimto
paytheseoffbecauseitsparedMs.R.fromthepaymentswhileallowinghimtoclaimtheinterestas
anexpense.Heexplainedthatsincetheywereabouttobemarrieditmadefinancialsensetocarry
outthesearrangements.
[16]Mr.S.saidtherewasneveranydiscussionthatthesepaymentswereagifttoMs.R.He
maintainedhedidnotpayoffherdebtstoimpressherortosecureherhandinmarriage,andhe
wouldnothavemadethesepaymentshadtheynotagreedtomarry.
[17]TheycontinuedtheircloserelationshipthroughNovemberandDecember,tothepointthatthey
discussedthetimingofawedding(thefollowingsummer)andotherrelateddetails.
[18]Thecorrectlysizedringtooklongerthanexpectedtoarrive.Mr.S.pickeditsometimein
December(thereceiptindicatesitwasonDecember20)andpaidthebalanceofthesaleprice.He
gaveittoMs.R.duringtheChristmasseason,thoughhecouldnotrecallwhenorwherethat
occurredoranydetailsofhispresentationoftheringtoMs.R.otherthantosayImsureshesaid
yes.
[19]TheytravelledtoCaliforniaafterChristmasandMs.R.woretheringonthattrip.They
introducedthemselvestoothersasanengagedcouple.
[20]WhiletheywereinPalmSpringstherewasaveryunfortunateeventthatoccurredduringatime
ofintimacyorattemptedintimacybetweentheparties.AsMs.R.slaterevidencemadeclear,
essentiallyMr.S.forcedhimselfsexuallyonMs.R.AccordingtoMr.S.,Ms.R.askedhimtostopbut
hesaidIwilldecidewhentostopandcarriedon.Mr.S.saidthatdespitehisimmediateapology,
sheclammedupandwasnotcommunicative.Thewholetonechanged.Thetripbackhomewas
filledwithtension.HereturnedtohishomeintheInterior.
[21]Adayortwolaterthepartiesspokeonthetelephone.Shetoldhimeverythingsoff,shedid
notlikehimasaperson,anddidnotwanttoseehimagain.Hertonewassofinalthathemadeno
attempttodissuadeher.
[22]IntheweeksthatfollowedMr.S.madesomeattemptstocontactMs.R.,butwithnosuccess.
Hehadsomepersonalitemsofhersandhealsowantedtodiscussthemoney.OnApril7,2014he
emailedMs.R.:
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PleasebeadvisedIwillbeshowinguponyourdoorstep[onadategivenlaterintheemail]to
exchangebelongings,discusstheloansthatI,ingoodfaith(promiseofmarriage)helpedyouwith
andhopefullyaboutwhattheheckhappened[].

[23]Ms.R.metMr.S.asherequested.Theyexchangedbelongings.Heaskedheraboutthe
loans.Sherepliedthatsheconsideredthemtobegifts.Ms.R.alsogavehimherengagementring,
buthesaidWhatamIgoingtodowiththis?Heaskedhertotakeitbacktothejewellerystoreto
seeifhecouldgethismoneyback,becausehedidnotliveinthearea.Shesaidsure.Hesaidhe
wasclearinstatinghisexpectationthatanyrefundfortheringwasforhim,notforher.
[24]Whenaskedabouthisuseofthewordloans,Mr.S.saidwhenhemadethepaymentshedid
notthinkMs.R.wouldrepayhimbecauseheexpectedtheywouldbemarriedanditwouldallbe
familyproperty.
[25]TherewasnocommunicationbetweenthepartiesaftertheApril2014meeting,otherthana
demandletterMr.S.senttoMs.R.onJanuary6,2015.
[26]Incrossexamination,Mr.S.deniedtellingMs.R.thathispreviousmarriageshadendedamid
allegationsofabuse,butheacknowledgedhetoldherofpriorangerissuesforwhichhehadtaken
therapy.HeagreedthatMs.R.wasinacarwithhimwhenhelosthistemperoutoffrustrationat
havingrunoveracurbandthathetoldMs.R.thatheoncehadtoberestrainedfrompunchinga
politicianhemetatalocalevent.Healsoagreedthat:(1)hehadattimesactedasanangel
investor,helpingpeopleout,butsaidhenevergaveawaymoneytopeoplebutmerelyhelpedthem
getestablishedand(2)hetoldMs.R.aboutpeoplehehadhelpedoutaswellasotheractsof
generosity.
[27]Mr.S.deniedthatMs.R.toldhimshedidnotwanttomarryhimuntilthetwoofthemhadfour
seasonstogetheranddeniedthatinpayingoffherdebtshewastryingtowinherhand.He
maintainedthathehadalreadywonit.
[28]Mr.S.alsosaid:
a)thepurchaseoftheengagementringwasaformalitybecausetheywerealreadyengaged,
havingpromisedeachothertheywouldmarry
b)hedidnotgotothejewellerystoretoinquireaboutarefundbecauseItrustedhertodoit
andhewantedtokeepincommunicationwithher.Hedidnot,however,giveherthe
receiptsbecausehedidnothavethemwithhim
c)hedidnotputanyconditionsonhispaymentofherdebts
d)Ms.R.wasworkingfivedaysaweekanditwouldhavebeenniceforhertobeableto
spendmoretimewithhimathishouseintheInterior.Hedeniedthathispaymentofher
debtswasforthatpurpose,however,andinsistedhediditbecauseitmadefinancialsense
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e)payingoffherdebtsshowscommitmentandnotjusthiscommitmentbutthecommitment
ofbothofthemand
f)hetoldherhehadsoldhiscompaniesfor$55million.
B.Ms.R.
[29]Ms.R.livesinacondominiuminaVancouversuburb.Shepurchasedthatcondominiumin
2008.
[30]WhenMs.R.firstmetMr.S.hespokeenthusiasticallyabouthistown,whichisclosetoaski
area.Hewasanavidskier.Shetoldhimshecouldnotdownhillskiasaresultofalegfractureshe
hadsufferedinthepast.FortheirthirdmeetingMr.S.camedowninhisairplaneandflewherbackto
histown.Theywentouttodinnerandwalkedaroundthetownscommercialarea.Mr.S.insistedthat
theygointoasportinggoodsstoresohecouldbuyhersomenewskiboots,butMs.R.remindedhim
ofherinabilitytoski.Hewasundeterredandhadskibootsputasideforher,whichhepurchased
later.
[31]DuringtheirwalkMr.S.spokeofthevariouslocalpeoplehehadhelpedandpointedoutafew
ofthemthathesaw.Hetoldherhehaddonewellinhisbusiness,hedidnothavetoworkandhe
hadalotofmoney.
[32]Mr.S.toldherabouthispreviousmarriages.Hesaidhisfirstmarriageendedbecauseof
allegationsthathehadbeenabusive.Hewassaddenedbecausehewasunabletoseehistwo
childrenuntiltheyhadgrownup.Hissecondwifehadchildrenbyanearlierrelationship,oneofwhich
wasinvolvedwithdrugs.Mr.S.toldherhehadanaltercationwiththatsonandbeathim.Hiswife
thengotinvolvedandhehither.Thatendedtherelationship.
[33]Mr.S.alsotoldherthat,ataconferenceheldinhistown,hepunchedawellknownpoliticianin
thefacebecausehedidnotagreewithhim.OnanotheroccasioninVancouvershewasinacarhe
wasdrivingwhenheattemptedaUturn.Hedroveontoasidewalkandalmosthittwopedestrians.
Hebecameveryangry.Hegotoutandslammedhisdoorsoharditrockedthecar.Whensheasked
himtoexplainhisbehaviourhesaidhewashungryandneededtogetaparticularparkingspot.She
toldhimhisbehaviourwasunacceptable.
[34]Ms.R.saidshedidnotrecallthedateoftheconversationaboutthepolitician,orthedateofthe
carincident,butsaidshethoughttheformeroccurredaftertheywenttothejewellerystoreandthe
latteroccurredafterthatvisit.
[35]Ms.R.saidhetoldherhadaroughbackgroundandwasabitofascrapperandhadbeenin
fights.Hetoldherhedidnotdothatanymore,butthisraisedsomeconcernsinhermind.
[36]ThesubjectofmarriagewasbroachedwhenMr.S.toldherhewantedhertomovetohistown.
Shesaidshewouldonlymovetoadifferentcommunityifsheweremarried.Thatopenedthesubject
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ofmarriageandtheydiscussedtheidealsofbeingmarried.
[37]Whenaskediftherewasapointintimewhensheconsideredtheywereengaged,Ms.R.said
yes,December25.Priortothatdatetheyhadconversationsaboutmarriage,likelystartinginthe
secondweekofOctober,butthesewerediscussionsaboutrelationshipsingeneralandwhetherthey
wouldevergetmarriedagain.Shetoldhimshewouldremarryiftherightpersoncameintoherlife.
[38]Ms.R.acknowledgedthatMr.S.sentherabrochureaboutamarriageworkshopbutshe
thoughtitwasprematurebecausetheywerenotatthatstageyet.However,shedidnottellhimthat.
[39]IntheleaduptothejewellerystorevisitMr.S.spokeagainofhermovingtohistown.She
madeitclearshewouldnotquitherworkandsimplymovethere.Mr.S.suggestedtheygolookat
ringsandtalkaboutthingsfurther.Atthestoreshesawoneringsheliked,aringpricedat$5,000,
butMr.S.insisteditwasnotgoodenoughandthattheringhadtohavemorewow.The
salespersonsuggesteda$15,000ring.Ms.R.toldMr.S.itswaytoomuch,butMr.S.saidhehad
tobuysomethingoutstandingandsubstantial.InMs.R.spresence,Mr.S.paidadepositonthering.
[40]Ms.R.saidtherewasnoexpectationortimelineastowhenMr.S.wouldpresentherwiththe
ring.ThesubjectdidnotcomeupagainuntiltheChristmasholidayswhenMr.S.toldherhehadthe
ringwithhim.
[41]FromthetimeofthejewellerystorevisittoChristmastheyonlysawoneanotheronweekends,
ortheoccasionalMondayifshewasnotworkingthatday.ThispromptedadiscussionaboutMs.R.s
workschedule.Mr.S.toldherthathewouldlikehertospendmoretimewithhiminhistown,andthat
sheshouldtakeMondaysandFridaysoff.
[42]InNovemberMr.S.askedMs.R.ifshehadanydebts.Atthetime,Ms.R.hada$25,000
mortgageanda$65,000lineofcredit.Hetoldherthathewantedtopaytheseoff.Ms.R.was
shocked.ShetoldhimIdontknowifImcomfortablewiththat.Hetoldherthathehaddonethis
sortofthingformanypeople,hehadthemeansbecausehewasverywealthy,andifMs.R.were
debtfreeshewouldnothavetoworkfulltime.
[43]Thenextweekhesaidletsgoandpayoffyourdebts.ShesaidAreyousure?Hereplied
absolutely,Iwantyoutospendmoretimewithmeat[Mr.S.stown].Theymetthebankmanager
andthetransactionswerecarriedout.
[44]Ms.R.wasreluctanttochangeherworkschedulerightaway.Shehadbeenwithher
employersalongtimeandconsideredherselfaveryloyalemployee.Shewantedtocarryoutany
changetoheremploymentonaverygradualbasis.
[45]Ms.R.thoughtMr.S.mustcareaboutherverymuch.Shewasimpressedwithhis
philanthropy,thesamesortofphilanthropyhehadspokenaboutintheirearlierdiscussions.She
thoughttherewaspermanencetotheirrelationshipandtheywereworkingtowardssomething,but
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shewasstillwaryandstillwantedtoreallygettoknowMr.S.Inparticular,shehadcontinuing
concernsabouthisangerissues.
[46]Aftertheloanswerepaidoff,Mr.S.saidhewantedtheirstobeashortengagement.Later,
whenhegavehertheengagementring,hetoldherhewantedtobemarriedbyFebruary.Shewas
notpreparedtobemarriedthatsoon.Shewantedthemtogettoknoweachotherbetter,andshe
wantedtocontinuetoliveinhercommunityforatimesothatMr.S.couldgettoknowherfriends.
Shetoldhimwehavetohavefourseasonstogether.Shefeltunsurebecauseshefeltshecouldnot
gettoknowapersonproperlyinjusttwomonths.
[47]Mr.S.presentedherwiththeengagementringonDecember25,athishome.Atthatpointshe
felttherewasanelementofcommitment.Theyhadsomegeneraldiscussionsaboutthetypeof
weddingtheymighthave,butnothingconcrete.Shehadanautumnweddinginmind,perhapslate
autumn.
[48]Theytravelledtoherhomethefollowingday,andshowedofftofriends.Theythenflewto
California,wheretheystayedwithhersister.TheythentravelledtoPalmSprings,wherefriendswere
stayingataresort.Inbothcasestheyannouncedtofriendsorrelativesthattheywereengaged.
[49]Ms.R.becameillonJanuary2.Shestayedinsideallday,unabletogetoutofbed.Mr.S.
wentoutfortheday.Whenhereturnedshetoldhimshewasstillsickandwasworriedshewouldnot
bewellenoughtoflyhome.Theywentoutfordinner,whereMr.S.toldherthathewantedhertoquit
herjobandmoveinwithhimbecauseIputanengagementringonyourfinger.Ms.R.saidshewas
dumbfounded.Shetoldhimthatsheneededtime.Shealsotoldhimthatherdaughterwasgetting
marriedinJuneandsoshewasnotpreparedtoquitworkandmovetotheInteriorrightaway.
[50]Theyreturnedtotheirhotel.Ms.R.wenttobedbecauseshestillwasnotfeelingwell.He
wantedtobeintimateshedidnot.Hebegananyway.ShetoldhimtostopandhesaidIwontstop.
IllstopwhenIwanttostop.Hedidnotstop.
[51]Ms.R.saidshewasmadetofeellikeapieceofmeat.Shethoughthewasamonster.She
saidshedidnotknowwhathewascapableofandbecauseofthatshewasfearfulofhim.
[52]Theyflewhomethenextday.Neitherbroachedthesubjectofthepreviousevening.Infact,
therewasalmostnoconversationatall.Heneverapologized.
[53]Mr.S.stayedatherplacethatnightbutheleftearlythenextmorningbecausehewantedtogo
skiing.Ms.R.saidhecarriedonasthoughnothinghadhappened.
[54]Thetwopartiesspokebytelephonethenextevening.Shetoldhimtherelationshipwasover.
Indoingsoshereferencedtheincidentfromtwonightsbefore.
[55]Ms.R.saidsheneverregardedthemoneyasaloan.Shealreadyhadloansandhadnoneed
ofadifferentone.Asfortheengagementring,sheputtheringinaboxandputtheboxinhersock
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drawer.
[56]Afewmonthslatertheygottogetherandexchangedgoods.Shetoldhimtokeepsomeitems
(ajacketandsomeart)astheseweregifts.Heletherkeepabicyclebag.Shealsogavehimthe
boxwiththeengagementring.Shedescribedtheensuingconversationasfollows:
HesaidIdontwantthis.AndIsaidWell,[P.],Idontwantthisring.Itrepresentsmarriageand
Imreallynotinterestedinkeepingit.ItsbeeninmydrawersinceIarrivedbackfromPalm
Springs.HesaidIdontwanttheringandhegaveitbacktomeandhesaidWhydontyoutry
totakeitback.Yourdaughtersgoingtobemarriedanditwouldbeniceforyoutohavethat
money,andashewaswalkingtohistruckhesaidandletsjustkeepthatourlittlesecret,nobody
hastoknowaboutthat.AndIstoodthereandlookedathimwiththisringinmyhandandIsaid
Soyouregivingthistome?andhesaidYes,itsjustourlittlesecret.

[57]Theydiscussedthemoney,butonlybriefly.Hewastheonewhoraisedthesubjectbuthesaid
theycouldtalkabouttheloansanothertime.Ms.R.toldhimsheconsideredthemoneytobeagift
andnotaloan.
[58]InJuneMs.R.wentbacktothejewellerystorewithafriend.Shedidnothaveareceipt.The
storemanagerwouldnotrefundthepurchasepricebecausetoomuchtimehadpassed.Theydid
offertoaccepttheringinexchangeforotheritemsofthesamevalue,sosheexchangedtheringfor
severalpiecesofjewellery,someofwhichshegavetoherdaughter.
[59]Ms.R.saidsheterminatedtherelationshipbecauseshesimplywouldnottolerateabusive
behaviour.ShealsosaidshewasafraidofMr.S.
[60]IncrossexaminationMs.R.saidthat,intheearlyweeksoftheirrelationship,shewasnotas
convincedtherewasthedegreeofunconditionalandenduringlovebetweenthemthatMr.S.
describedinhistestimony.ShesaidbythelastpartofOctobershecaredforMr.S.andfeltsheloved
him,butshewasmindfulthatitwasearlyintheirrelationshipandsheneededtogettoknowhim
better.Ms.R.saidMr.S.wasmovingmorequicklyintheirrelationshipthanshewas.
[61]Ms.R.testifiedthat,atsomepointpriortothetriptothejewellerystore,shetoldMr.S.thatshe
wantedthemtohavefourseasonstogetherpriortotheirwedding.Whenheproposedatriptothe
jewellerystore,shetoldhimthisisveryearly.Herepliedthatheneededtofindoutwhatshelikedin
thewayofrings.Itisapparentshetookthetriptobemoreforthepurposeofwindowshopping,not
forthespecificpurposeofbuyinganengagementring.SheagreedthatMr.S.seemedtowanttoget
aringonherfinger,theearlierthebetter,andhewasverypushyaboutit.Sheagreed,however,
thatshedidnotstophimfromorderingaringandshecooperatedinhavingherfingermeasured.She
said,however,therewasnotimelineastowhenhewasgivingmethisring.
[62]Ms.R.alsosaid:
a)hermonthlydebtpaymentstotalledabout$1,100,asumthatwasfinanciallycomfortablefor
herprovidedsheworkedfulltime
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b)scalingbackherworkwouldhavemeantshewouldnothavebeenabletocontributeto
RRSPsorputasidesavings
c)Mr.S.spaymentofhertwomajordebtswasdoneforthepurposeofallowinghertospend
moretimewithhiminhistown
d)whenMr.S.paidoffherdebtshemadenomentionofrepaymentbyheroranymentionthat
Ms.R.wasnotobligedtorepayhim.HesaidIwanttohelpyouout.Ihavehelpedalotof
peopleanditsmypleasuretohelpyousoyoudonthaveanydebt.Shesaidhemade
thepaymentsoIcouldspendmoretimewithhimandfeelmorecomfortabledoingso
e)shewasnotunwillingtoscalebackonherwork,butshedidnotwanttodosoquickly
f)theincidentinPalmSpringswastheeventthatturnedheragainstMr.S.,althoughshehad
priorconcernsabouthistemper.Asaresultoftheincidentshefelthewasnotagood
personbutwasinsteadviolentandcontrollingand
g)inthetelephoneconversationtheyhadonJanuary6shetoldhimhehadphysicallyabused
her.Mr.S.wasobliviousaboutwhathehaddone,andheneverapologized.
IV.PositionsoftheParties
A.Mr.S.
[63]Mr.S.submitsthatthepaymentofMs.R.sdebtswasagiftincontemplationofmarriage.Ifa
giftisdeterminedtobeincontemplationofmarriageandthemarriagedoesnottakeplace,thenthe
giftmustbereturned.
[64]Asfortheengagementring,thelawinthisjurisdictionisthatanengagementringistobe
returnedifamarriagedoesnottakeplace.Here,themarriagedidnottakeplaceandsothering
oughttobereturned.Furthermore,thedefendanthasfailedtoestablishthatMr.S.madeanoutright
giftofthatring.
B.Ms.R.
[65]Ms.R.submitsthatthepaymentsandtheengagementringwereabsolutegiftsandsosheis
notobligedtoreturnthem.TheseweregiftsMr.S.lavisheduponherasanadventurerinromance,
aspartofhiseffortstoimpressherandwinherfavour.Alternatively,iftheseweregiftsin
contemplationofmarriagethenthefaultforthebreakupwasentirelyMr.S.s,andcaseauthority
establishesthatanatfaultdonorisnotentitledtotheirreturn.
V.Analysis
[66]Ibeginwithadiscussionofthecredibilityoftheparties.Iacceptthatbothpartiesweredoing
theirbesttobetruthful,thoughtherewereindicationsinthetestimonyofeachofthemthatcauseme
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tosuspectthelitigationhasinfluencedthemannerinwhichtheynowperceivetheeventsinquestion.
Ithereforeapproachtheevidenceofbothpartieswithsomedegreeofcaution.
[67]Ms.R.srecollectionwasmuchmoredetailedthanMr.S.s,whoserecollectionwasnotstrong
atthebestoftimesandwasatothertimesverypoor.Hecouldnot,forexample,recallthe
circumstancesthatledthemtogoshoppingforaring.Healsocouldnotrecallwhenhepickedupthe
ringfromthejewellerystore,andhedidnotrememberwhere,whenorhowhepresentedtheringand
proposedtoMs.R.Thelatterevent,atleast,waslifechanginginnatureandsoitseemsremarkable
thatMr.S.couldnotremembermuchofanythingaboutit.
[68]Iwillhavemoretosayaboutcredibilitylaterinthesereasons.
TheEngagementRing
[69]InBritishColumbia,thelawrelatingtoengagementringsisreasonablywellsettled.InHitchcox
v.Harper,[1996]B.C.J.No.1861,thecourtponderedcompetinglinesofauthority,onewhichtreated
engagementringsasabsolutegiftsnotreturnableuponaterminationoftheengagement,andanother
whichtreatedthegiftofanengagementringasbeingconditionalonmarriageandtherefore
returnableuponthefailureofthecondition.Thecourtfollowedthelatterlineofauthority.
[70]HitchcoxwasfollowedinSperlingv.Grouwstra,2004BCSC330[Sperling]andZimmermanv.
Lazare,2007BCSC626[Zimmerman].ForthisreasonIconsiderthelawonthispointtobesettledin
thisjurisdiction.
[71]Faultfortheterminationoftheengagementdoesnotenterintotheanalysis:Sperling,at
para.24,andZimmerman,atpara.9.Parenthetically,Inotethatinotherjurisdictionstheissuehas
beendealtwithbywayoflegislation,suchthatfaultforaterminationofanengagementisnotrelevant
thereeither:ManitobaEqualityofStatusAct,C.C.S.M.,c.E130,s.5OntarioMarriageAct,
R.S.O.1990,c.M.3,s.33andAlbertaFamilyLawAct,S.A.2003,c.F4.5,s.102.
[72]ThegeneralapproachinBritishColumbiatothequestionofthereturnofengagementrings,
whichIhavedescribedabove,isstillsubjecttoevidenceofacontraryintentiononthepartofthe
donor.ThisistherealissueherebecauseMs.R.maintainsthatMr.S.gavehertheengagementring
asanabsolutegiftattheirfinalmeeting.
[73]Forhispart,Mr.S.emphasizesthattheonusisontherecipienttoprovethetransferorintended
thetransfertobeagiftandthattheevidenceofgiftmustbeveryclear,citingBathv.Bath,2002
NLCA21[Bath]andVeitchv.Rankin,[1997]O.J.No.4642(Ont.C.J.)[Veitch].
[74]Thisissueturnsonafindingaboutthediscussionthatoccurredbetweenthepartieswhenthey
metsomemonthsafterthebreakup.IfMs.R.sversionoftheconversationisaccepted,thenclearly
Mr.S.gavetheringtoherasanoutrightgift.IfMr.S.sversionisaccepted,thenhedidnot.

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[75]IconcludeMs.R.sversionofthediscussionisthemorelikelyand,further,thatitreveals
Mr.S.sintentiontogiveMs.R.theringasanabsolutegift.Ibasethisconclusiononseveral
grounds.Firstofall,Mr.S.sversionofthediscussionishighlyimprobable.Isimplydonotaccept
thatMs.R.wouldhaveentertaineddoingthefavourforMr.S.thatheassertsheaskedhertodo,that
oftakingtheringbacktothejewellerystoreonhisbehalftoseeifshecouldgetanythingforit,let
alonethatshewouldhaveactuallyagreedtodoit.Giventhenatureoftheeventthatendedthe
relationshipandthehighlynegativeviewthatMs.R.nowhadofMr.S.,theideathatshewouldhave
willinglytakenonthisfavouronMr.S.sbehalf,whichwouldnecessarilyinvolveMs.R.havingfurther
dealingswithhim,isverydifficulttoaccept.Itisclearshewantednothingtodowithhim.
[76]Second,Iaccepttheevidenceofthedefendant.Theplaintiffreliedoncertainslight
discrepanciesinMs.R.sversionsoftheconversationinsubmittingthathertestimonyoughtnottobe
believedbutIfoundthosediscrepanciestobeminorandimmaterial.ThefactthatMr.S.purportedto
remindtheplaintiff,inhisdemandletterdatedJanuary6,2015,manymonthsaftertheevent,thatshe
wastohavetriedtogetarefundonhisbehalf,alsocarrieslittleweightinprovingwhatwasactually
saidgiventhefrailtieswithMr.S.spowersofrecollectiongenerallyandthepossibilitythatbythis
pointtheletterwasintentionallyselfserving.
[77]Finally,IfounditdifficulttounderstandwhyMr.S.didnottaketheringbackhimselfifhewasin
factthepartywhowastoreceiveanyrefund.HewasintheVancouverareathedayMs.R.triedto
returntheringtohim.Thereasonshegavefornotdoingsowereunconvincing.
[78]WhenMs.R.attemptedtoreturntheengagementringtoMr.S.heinsistedthatshekeepitand,
whensheaskedSoyouregivingthistome?,hesaidyes.Hesuggestedshetrytotakethering
backandusethemoneytohelpwithherdaughterswedding.Thesearewordsevincingaclear
intentiontomakeanabsolutegift.
[79]FromthisevidenceIamsatisfiedthatMr.S.gavetheengagementringtoMs.R.asan
absoluteoroutrightgift.ThisaspectofMr.S.sclaimfails.
TheRepaidDebts
[80]Thisissueturns,atleastinpart,ontheissueofexpectationofmarriage,viewedatthetimethe
defendantsdebtswerepaid,whichwasinearlyNovember2013.
[81]Theplaintiffsaysbothpartieswerebythatpointabsolutelycommittedtomarriage.Theyhad
shoppedforanengagementringonOctober30,whichdemonstratedtheirfirmmutualcommitment,
butMr.S.alsotestifiedthattheyhadalreadycommittedtomarriageevenbeforethatdate.
[82]Thedefendantsubmitsthatthingsweremuchmoretentativethanthatandsotheplaintiffsgift
wasnotincontemplationofmarriagebutinsteadwasagifttowinherfavour.Onthisissuethe
defendantnotedtheplaintiffwaspushyinthesenseofwantingtohurrytherelationship.She
wantedthingstogomoreslowly,expressingapreferencethatthetwoofthemhavefourseasons
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togetherbeforemarriageandwantinganyreductionofherworkhourstocomeaboutgradually.The
defendantemphasizedthattheplaintiffwasattimesoblivioustoherneedsorinterestsasevidenced
byhisfailuretolistentoorheedthingsshesaid.HefailedtopickuponMs.R.sstatementsthatshe
didnotdownhillskiduetoapastinjuryandhefailedtoappreciate,oratleastfullyappreciate,that
Ms.R.wassickwhiletheywereinPalmSprings.ThedefendantalsomaintainsMr.S.wentfar
beyondmereobliviousnessinthebedroomincident,aneventwhichdemonstratedhewouldproceed
tohisobjectivedespiteherexpressprotest.
[83]Thereissomeforceinthedefendantssubmissiononthispoint.Evenleavingasidethe
bedroomincident,IacceptthatMr.S.wassomewhatselffocusedandtendedtoignoreormisread
signalsfromthedefendant.ThisisanimportantconsiderationwhenweighingMr.S.sassertionsthat
thetwoofthemwereabsolutelycommittedtomarriageevenbeforetheyshoppedforanengagement
ringandcertainlybythetimeMr.S.paidMs.R.sdebts.
[84]Iconcludethatthedegreeofcommitmentofthepartiesliessomewhereinbetweenthe
versionsofthetwoparties.Ifindthattheywerenotfirmlycommittedtomarriageatthetimethedebts
werepaid,thoughtheylovedoneanotherandmarriagewasalikelyprospect.Itisimportanttonote
Mr.S.sevidencewasmerelythatpriortothejewellerystorevisithehadtheimpressionthetwoof
themhadagreedtogetmarriedbasedontheirdiscussionabouttheirattitudestowardsmarriagein
generalandthefactthathehadsentherabrochureaboutamarriageseminarandsheexpressedan
interestinattending.InhistestimonyhesaidIknowsheagreedtogetmarriedbutheprovidedno
detailsaboutanyconversationtothateffect.Accordingly,thereisverylittleobjectiveevidence
supportingMr.S.simpressionofafirmcommitmenttomarryorofhisassertionthatMs.R.had
expresslyagreedtomarry.
[85]Thejewellerystorevisitisobviouslyasignificantevent,butIconcludethatitdidnot,initself,
signifyafirmcommitmenttomarry.Iacceptthedefendantsevidencethattheshoppingtripcame
aboutbecauseMr.S.wantedtoknowwhatshelikedinthewayofrings.ThefactthatMs.R.wentso
farastoassistinthesizingofaringthatwasputonordercertainlymadeithighlylikelyshewouldsay
yeswhenthetimecame,butnonethelessnofirmorexpresscommitmenthadyetbeenmade.
[86]ThenextquestioniswhethertherepaymentofMs.R.sdebtswasagiftincontemplationof
marriage,oranoutrightgift.Thisissueturnsontheexistenceofamutualcommitmenttomarry,the
natureofthetransactionandtheintentionofthedonor.
[87]InFediukv.Gluck(1990),26R.F.L.(3d)454(Man.Q.B.),affd[1991]M.J.No.354[Fediuk],the
courtsuggestedthatatransferofpropertycannotbeconsideredtohavebeenmadeincontemplation
ofmarriageunlessthepartieshaveagreedon,orcommittedthemselvesto,marriageandwherethe
transferorgiftcanbesaidtohavebeenmadeinthatcontext:Fediuk,atpara.19.However,I
consideritunwisetorelyonthatfactaloneandinsteadfinditpreferabletoconsiderthedegreeto
whichthepartieshadcommittedtomarryasbeingpartofthecontextfromwhichthedonorsintent
maybeascertainedorinferred.
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[88]Onthispoint,theplaintiffagainemphasizesthattheonusisontherecipienttoprovethe
transferorintendedthetransfertobeagiftandthattheevidenceofgiftmustbeveryclear.Asnoted
earlier,hecitedBathandVeitchinthisregard.Inote,however,thatthosecasesinvolvedcontexts
verydifferentfromthoseinthepresentcase.InbothBathandVeitchthequestionwaswhether
advancesusedtoacquirepropertyweregiftsorloans.Ineachcasetherecipientsaskedthe
transferorsformoneysothattheycouldpurchaseproperty.Insuchasituationitmakesperfectly
goodsensethattherecipientshouldberequiredtoleadcogentevidencethatthemonieswere
advancedasgifts,notloans.
[89]Thatisnotthesituationinthiscase.Here,therepaymentofdebtswasunquestionablyagift.It
cameaboutontheinitiativeofMr.S.only.Ms.R.didnotrequestthefundsandwasnotthepartywho
evenraisedthesubject.Thequestion,therefore,isnotwhetherthedebtrepaymentwasagiftora
loan,asitwasinBathandVeitch,itiswhetherthegiftwasaconditionalgiftoranabsolutegift.I
thereforeconcludethatthematterfallstobedecidedontheordinaryburdenofproofonaplaintiffto
provehiscaseonabalanceofprobabilities.Thatapproachisillustratedtwocasesdiscussedearlier,
ZimmermanandFediuk.
[90]InZimmermananengagedcouplepurchasedacondominium,withtitleintheirjointnames,for
thetwoofthemtolivein.Thehusbandtobecontributedsubstantiallymoretothepurchasethanhis
fiance.Theyseparatedbeforemarrying.Thecourtconcludedthatthehusbandtobedidnotintend
togiveanoutrightgiftofonehalfofthecondominium,butintendedagiftofthatinterestsubjecttoan
accountingonsalefortheunequalcontribution.Thecourtinferredthatintentionfromaconsideration
ofallofthecircumstancessurroundingtheacquisitionoftheproperty.
[91]Fediukinvolvedacouplewhohadanintermittentrelationshipovernineyears.Theman
pressedthewomantomoveinwithhim.Hetransferredonehalfofhishousetoher.Heconceded
hedidnothaveanyintentiontomarryheratthetime.Thecourtframedtheissuesasfollows:
[20]Therealissuetobedecidedcentresaroundthefactualquestionastowhetherornotthe
transferwasintendedbythepartiestobeconditionalontheultimatemarriageoftheparties.Ifit
was,aresultingtrustinfavourofthePlaintiffarisesand,themarriagenothavingtakenplace,the
Plaintiffwouldbeentitledtothereturnoftheonehalfinteresttransferredintothenameofthe
Defendant.
[21]If,ontheotherhand,itisascertainedonapreponderanceofevidencethatthepartiesdid
notintendthetransfertobesubjecttoanyconditions,thenthetransferwillbetreatedasan
absolutegift.

[92]Thecourtfoundthatthetransferwasnotconditional,butratherthetransferorintendedtomake
anunrestrictedgift.
[93]Here,thefocusisontheintentionofMr.S.because,unlikeinsomeofthecasesreferredto,
thetransferwasentirelyMr.S.sideaandwasnotpromptedinanywaybyMs.R.Thecontextisalso
important.AsIhavealreadyconcluded,atthetimeofthedebtrepaymentthepartieshadnotfirmly
committedtomarryoneanother,thoughitwaslikelythepartieswouldmarry.Therewasnofirm
commitmenttomarryuntilnearlytwomonthsafterMr.S.paidMs.R.sdebts.AtthetimeMr.S.paid
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thosedebtshewaspressingMs.R.tospendmoretimewithhiminhistownbutherfulltime
employmentmadeitdifficultforherdothat.Mr.S.wasinahurrytogetmarried,butMs.R.wanted
moretimeforthemtogettoknowoneanother.
[94]Inmyview,basedontheevidenceasawholethemostaccuratecharacterizationofthe
plaintiffsintentionsormotivationinrepayingthedefendantsdebtsisthathedidthisbecause:(1)
assistingherfinanciallywouldallowhertospendmoretimewithhimintheshortterm,somethingthat
hewasurginghertodo(2)itdemonstratedtoMs.R.bothhiswealthandgenerosity(3)the
repaymentmightencourageMs.R.tobemorereceptivetoanearlierweddingdatethanthelater
timingshehadinmindand(4)itwasverylikelyalloftheirfinanceswouldbecombinedatsomepoint
anyway.Inotherwords,IconsiderthatMr.S.paidMs.R.sdebtsforacombinationofreasons.
[95]FromtheseandmyearlierconclusionsitfollowsthatIdonotaccepttheplaintiffsevidencethat
theobjectofimpressingherorgainingherfavourplayednopartinhispaymentofherdebts.Ialso
donotaccepthisevidencethathewouldnothavemadethesepaymentshadtheynotalready
committedtomarriageandthatthepaymentsweremadesolelybecausetheymadefinancialsense
inlightofanimpendingmarriage.IfoundMr.S.sassertionthatthetransactionmadefinancialsense
tobeunconvincing.TheonlytangibleadvantagegainedfromrelievingMs.R.fromtheburdenofher
twomajordebtswastheprospectthatshewouldnothavetoworkasmuchandwouldbeableto
spendmoretimewithhim.
[96]Idigressforamomenttodealwithoneaspectofthedefendantsargument.Inurgingthecourt
tofindthatMr.S.stransferstoMs.R.weredoneasanadventurerandnotincontemplationof
marriage,thedefendantreferredtocasescitingRobinsonv.Cumming(1742),2Atk.409,26E.R.
646,acasethathasbeencited,indirectlyatleast,asrecentlyas2012.Theheadnotereads:
Ifapersonwhomakesaddressesonaviewofmarriage,andareasonableexpectationof
success,givespresents,andtheladydeceiveshimafterwards,thepresentsoughttobereturned,
orthevalueofthemallowed.
Butwheremadetointroduceapersononlytoawomansacquaintance,heislookeduponinthe
lightofanadventurerandifhelosesbytheattempt,musttakeitforhispains,especiallywhereis
adisproportionbetweentheladysfortuneandhis.

[97]TheactualdecisionofLordChancellorHardwicke(at646647E.R.)isasfollows:
Ithink,incasesofthisnature,theserulesmaybelaiddown.Thatifapersonhasmadehis
addressestoaladyforsometime,uponaviewofmarriage,and,uponreasonableexpectationof
success,makespresentstoaconsiderablevalue,andshethinkspropertodeceivehim
afterwards,itisveryrightthatthepresentsthemselvesshouldbereturned,orthevalueofthem
allowedtohimbut,wherepresentsaremadeonlytointroduceapersontoawomans
acquaintance,andbymeansthereoftogainherfavour,Ilookuponsuchpersononlyinthelightof
anadventurer,especiallywherethereisadisproportionbetweentheladysfortuneandhis,and
therefore,likeallotheradventurers,ifhewillrunrisques,andlosesbytheattempt,hemusttakeit
forhispains
[Spellingasperoriginal.]

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[98]Thedefendantinthatcase(Mr.Cumming)gavepresentsofavalueof120toayoungwoman,
thenabout16yearsold,whomarriedsomeoneelseandbecameMrs.Robinson.Mr.Cummings
fortunewasminiscule(only100perannumatmost),whereasherswasverygreat.TheLord
ChancellordeterminedthatMr.Cumminghadtobelookeduponinthelightofanadventurer,who
tookariskandlostintheattempt.Thecourtdeniedhimrecoveryforthepresentsgiven.
[99]AlthoughRobinsonv.Cumminghasbeencitedinmoderncasesandinatleastonemodern
textbook(J.CrossleyVaines,PersonalProperty,4thed.(London:Butterworths,1967),whichitselfis
citedinLummerv.Frohlich,2007ABQB295),Iprefertoanalysetheissueusingmorecontemporary
sources.Courtingbehaviourandrelationshipsbetweenmenandwomenarevastlydifferenttoday
thaninthedaysofMrs.RobinsonandMr.Cumming,whosecasecametocourtnearly70yearsprior
tothepublicationofJaneAustensfirstnovel,itselfastudyinquaint(andoutdated)mannersand
customs.
[100]OneofthosecontemporarysourcesisVoglerv.Matzick(1988),33B.C.L.R.(2d)82(C.A.)at
8485,wherethecourtsaid:
Iaddthiscommentaboutgiftsmade"incontemplationofmarriage".Anygiftmaybemade
conditional,orsubjecttorevocation.Atermtothateffectmaybeexpressedoritmaybeimplied.If
itisimplied,thefactualmatrixthatgivesrisetotheimplicationmustmaketheimplicationobvious,
inaccordancewiththerequirementsoftheofficiousbystandertest.Whereahouseholditemis
givenbyoneprospectivemarriagepartnertoanother,atatimewhentheyareengagedbutnot
sharingahousehold,theimplicationofatermthatthegiftwasintendedtoberevocableifthe
marriagedidnottakeplaceandthehouseholdnevercameintobeing,withoutanychangeofheart
onthepartofthedonor,wouldbestraightforward.Asaformofshorthand,suchagiftcouldbe
saidtobe"incontemplationofmarriage".Butifthehouseholdisalreadyinbeing,andif,asinthis
case,thedonormayhavehadsomemotiveformakingthegiftotherthan,oraswellas,a
prospectivemarriage,thentheimplicationofatermthatthegiftisintendedtoberevocableifthe
marriagedoesnottakeplacebecomesmuchmoreproblematical.Agiftmade"incontemplationof
marriage"isnotmerelyagiftbetweenanengagedcouple,withamarriageclearlyintheoffing.
Norisitagiftforusebybothpartiesinajointhousehold.Attheveryleastitrequiresthatthegift
wouldnothavebeenmadebutfortheimpendingmarriageitself.
[Emphasisadded.]

[101]Althoughthepassagejustquotedisobiterdicta(becausethecaseturnedonreliefgrantedby
thetrialjudgethathadnotbeenclaimedinthepleadings),thediscussionofthelawrelatingtogiftsin
contemplationofmarriageisinstructiveandcarriesweight.Importantly,theCourtofAppealnoted
thatamotiveormotivesformakingagiftotherthan,oraswellas,aprospectivemarriagewould
makeanimpliedtermofrevocabilityproblematical.Indeed,thatistheverysituationpresentedin
thiscase.
[102]IhaveconcludedthattherewereseveralreasonswhyMr.S.madethepaymentshedid,only
oneofwhichrelatedtothelikely,thoughnotyetcommitted,marriagebetweentheparties,andeven
thatreasonwasprobablytheleastimportantofthoseseveralreasons.Giventhattherewereno
expresswordsdemonstratingthatthegiftwasconditionaluponmarriageinfact,hiswordstothe
effectofwantingtohelpoutMs.R.,ifanything,suggestotherwiseanyconditionwouldhavetobe
implied.BasedonallofthecircumstancesIconcludethatitisnotobviousthatthegiftcarriedwithit
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theimpliedtermthatitwasintendedtoberevocableifthemarriagedidnottakeplace.Theplaintiff
hasnotshownthattherepaymentofMs.R.sdebtswasagiftincontemplationofmarriage.This
aspectoftheplaintiffsclaimfails.
VI.Conclusion
[103]Theplaintiffsactionisdismissedwithcosts.
BlokJ.

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