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Execution Act

R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER E.24

Historical version for the period June 22, 2006 to December 31, 2006.

Amended by: 1993, c. 27, Sched.; 1999, c. 6, s. 24; 2000, c. 26, Sched. A, s. 8; 2005, c. 5, s. 26; 2006, c. 8, s. 143; 2006, c. 19, Sched. B, s. 6.

CONTENTS

1.

Definitions

2.

Exemptions

3.

Sale and refund of amount of exemption

4.

Money derived from sale of exempted goods

5.

Disposal of exempted goods after death of debtor

6.

Right of selection

7.

Rules concerning exemptions

8.

Disputes

9.

Sheriff may sell any lands of execution debtor

10.

Writs against lands and goods

11.

Writ not to bind lands unless name of debtor sufficient

12.

Notice to land registry office of withdrawal of writ of execution

13.

Liability of land to execution

14.

Seizure of shares and dividends under execution

14.

Seizure of execution debtor’s interest in security, security entitlement

15.

Seizure and sale of shares in private company

15.

Sheriff may deal with seized interest in security, security entitlement

16.

Procedure for sale of equitable interests

16.

Restrictions on transfer of seized security

17.

Rights under patent of invention

18.

Seizure and sale of rights in chattels, etc.

19.

Money, securities, choses in action, etc.

20.

Execution of writ of seizure and sale

21.

Execution of writ of possession

22.

When sheriff obliged to seize goods claimed by third parties

23.

Taking money secured by mortgage under execution

24.

Notice to mortgagor

25.

Sheriff enforcing mortgage

26.

When seizure may be vacated

27.

Taking security interests in personal property in execution

28.

Lands subject to mortgage

29.

Contingent interests liable to execution

30.

Interest in pew or sitting

31.

Execution against partner

32.

How execution enforceable against executor, etc.

33.

Executions against municipal corporations

34.

Jurisdiction of sheriff on annexation

35.

Regulations

Definitions

1. In this Act,

“execution” includes a writ of seizure and sale and every subsequent writ for giving effect thereto; (“exécution forcée”)

“prescribed amount” means the amount prescribed by the regulations made under section 35; (“somme prescrite”)

“sheriff” includes an officer to whom an execution is directed; (“shérif”)

“spouse” means a person to whom the person is married or with whom the person is living in a conjugal relationship outside marriage; (“conjoint”)

“surviving spouse” means a person who was the person’s spouse at the time of his or her death. (“conjoint survivant”) R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 1; 1999, c. 6, s. 24 (1, 2); 2000, c. 26, Sched. A, s. 8 (1); 2005, c. 5, s. 26 (1-3).

Exemptions

2. The following chattels are exempt from seizure under any writ issued out of any court:

1. Necessary and ordinary wearing apparel of the debtor and his or her family not exceeding the prescribed amount or, if no amount is prescribed, $5,000 in value.

2. The household furniture, utensils, equipment, food and fuel that are contained in and form part of the permanent home of the debtor not exceeding the prescribed amount or, if no amount is prescribed, $10,000 in value.

3. In the case of a debtor other than a person engaged solely in the tillage of the soil or farming, tools and instruments and other chattels ordinarily used by the debtor in the debtor’s business, profession or calling not exceeding the prescribed amount or, if no amount is prescribed, $10,000 in value.

4. In the case of a person engaged solely in the tillage of the soil or farming, the livestock, fowl, bees, books, tools and implements and other chattels ordinarily used by the debtor in the debtor’s business or calling not exceeding the prescribed amount or, if no amount is prescribed, $25,000 in value.

5. In the case of a person engaged solely in the tillage of the soil or farming, sufficient seed to seed all the person’s land under cultivation, not exceeding 100 acres, as selected by the debtor, and fourteen bushels of potatoes, and, where seizure is made between the 1st day of October and the 30th day of April, such food and bedding as are necessary to feed and bed the livestock and fowl that are exempt under this section until the 30th day of April next following.

6. A motor vehicle not exceeding the prescribed amount or, if no amount is prescribed, $5,000 in value. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 2; 2000, c. 26, Sched. A, s. 8 (2).

Sale and refund of amount of exemption

3. (1) Where exemption is claimed for a chattel referred to in paragraph 3 of section 2 that has a sale value in excess of the amount referred to in that paragraph plus the costs of the sale, and other chattels are not available for seizure and sale, the chattel is subject to seizure and sale under a writ of execution and the amount referred to in that paragraph shall be paid to the debtor out of the proceeds of the sale. 2006, c. 19, Sched. B, s. 6 (1).

Same

(2) The debtor may, in lieu of the chattels referred to in paragraph 4 of section 2, elect to receive the proceeds of the sale thereof up to the amount referred to in that paragraph, in which case the officer executing the writ shall pay the net proceeds of the sale if they do not exceed the amount referred to in that paragraph or, if they exceed that amount, shall pay that sum to the debtor in satisfaction of the debtor’s right to exemption under that paragraph. 2006, c. 19, Sched. B, s. 6 (1).

Same

(3) Where exemption is claimed for a motor vehicle that has a sale value in excess of the amount referred to in paragraph 6 of section 2 plus the costs of the sale, the motor vehicle is subject to seizure and sale under a writ of execution and the amount referred to in that paragraph shall be paid to the debtor out of the proceeds of the sale. 2006, c. 19, Sched. B, s. 6 (1).

Money derived from sale of exempted goods

4. The sum to which a debtor is entitled under subsection 3 (1), (2) or (3) is exempt from attachment or seizure at the instance of a creditor. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 4; 2006, c. 19, Sched. B, s. 6 (2).

Disposal of exempted goods after death of debtor

5. (1) After the death of the debtor, chattels exempt from seizure are exempt from the claims of creditors of the debtor. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 5 (1).

Idem

(2) A surviving spouse is entitled to retain the chattels exempt from seizure for the benefit of the surviving spouse and the debtor’s family. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 5 (2); 1999, c. 6, s. 24 (3); 2005, c. 5, s. 26 (4).

Idem

(3) If there is no surviving spouse, the family of the debtor is entitled to the chattels exempt from seizure for its own benefit. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 5 (3); 1999, c. 6, s. 24 (4); 2005, c. 5, s. 26 (5).

Right of selection

6. The debtor, the surviving spouse or the debtor’s family, or, in the case of minors, their guardian, may select out of any larger number the chattels exempt from seizure. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 6; 1993, c. 27, Sched.; 1999, c. 6, s. 24 (5); 2005, c. 5, s. 26 (6).

Rules concerning exemptions

Articles for which debt contracted

7. (1) The exemptions prescribed in this Act do not apply to exempt any chattel from seizure to satisfy a debt contracted for the purchase of such chattel, except beds, bedding and bedsteads, including cradles in ordinary use by the debtor and his or her family and the necessary and ordinary wearing apparel of the debtor and his or her family. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 7 (1).

Debt for maintenance

(2) The exemptions prescribed in this Act do not apply to exempt any article from seizure to satisfy a debt for maintenance of a spouse or former spouse or of a child, except tools, instruments and chattels ordinarily used by the debtor in the debtor’s business, profession or calling. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 7 (2); 1999, c. 6, s. 24 (6); 2005, c. 5, s. 26 (7).

Chattels purchased to defeat creditors

(3) The exemptions prescribed in this Act do not apply to chattels purchased for the purpose of defeating claims of creditors. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 7 (3).

No exemption for corporations

(4) The exemptions prescribed in this Act are not available to a corporate debtor. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 7 (4).

Exemptions

(5) The exemptions prescribed in this Act bind the Crown. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 7 (5).

Disputes

8. (1) Where a dispute arises as to,

(a) whether or not a chattel is eligible for exemption from seizure under sections 2 to 7; or

(b) whether or not chattels claimed to be exempt exceed the value of the exemption prescribed by section 2,

the debtor or creditor may apply to the Superior Court of Justice for the determination of the question, and the court shall determine the question after a hearing upon such notice to such persons as the court directs. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 8 (1); 2000, c. 26, Sched. A, s. 8 (7).

Application by sheriff for direction

(2) A sheriff may apply to the Superior Court of Justice for direction on any matter arising under sections 2 to 7. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 8 (2); 2000, c. 26, Sched. A, s. 8 (8).

Sheriff may sell any lands of execution debtor

9. The sheriff to whom a writ of execution against lands is delivered for execution may seize and sell thereunder the lands of the execution debtor, including any lands whereof any other person is seized or possessed in trust for the execution debtor and including any interest of the execution debtor in lands held in joint tenancy. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 9.

Writs against lands and goods

10. (1) Subject to the Land Titles Act and to section 11, a writ of execution binds the goods and lands against which it is issued from the time it has been received for execution and recorded by the sheriff. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 10 (1).

Exception

(2) Despite subsection (1), no writ of execution against goods other than bills of sale and instruments in the nature of chattel mortgages prejudices the title to such goods acquired by a person in good faith and for valuable consideration unless such person at the time of acquiring title had notice that such writ or any other writ by virtue of which the goods of the execution debtor might be seized or attached has been delivered to the sheriff and remains in the sheriff’s hands unexecuted. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 10 (2).

Index to be kept

(3) The sheriff shall keep an index or a book in which shall be entered a record of all writs and renewals received. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 10 (3).

Execution issued out of Small Claims Court

(4) Subsection (1) does not apply to an execution against goods issued out of the Small Claims Court, which binds only from the time of the seizure. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 10 (4).

Writ not to bind lands unless name of debtor sufficient

11. (1) Where the name of an execution debtor set out in a writ of execution is not that of a corporation or the firm name of a partnership, the writ does not bind the lands of the execution debtor unless,

(a) the name of the execution debtor set out in the writ includes at least one given name in full; or

(b) a statutory declaration of the execution creditor or execution creditor’s solicitor is filed with the sheriff identifying the execution debtor by at least one given name in full. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 11 (1).

When writ binds land

(2) Subject to subsection (3), where a statutory declaration is filed under clause (1)(b), the name of the execution debtor set out in the writ shall be deemed to contain the given names affirmed in the declaration and the writ binds land from the time the declaration is received for execution and recorded by the sheriff. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 11 (2).

Transmission to land registry office

(3) Where a statutory declaration is filed under clause (1)(b) in respect of a writ of execution of which a copy has been transmitted to the proper land registrar under section 136 of the Land Titles Act, the sheriff shall transmit a copy of the declaration to the proper land registrar and the writ does not bind land registered under the Land Titles Act until the copy of the declaration has been received by the proper land registrar. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 11 (3).

Notice to land registry office of withdrawal of writ of execution

12. Where a writ of execution or renewal thereof of which a copy was transmitted to the proper land registrar under section 136 of the Land Titles Act is withdrawn, the sheriff shall forthwith transmit to the proper land registrar a certificate under his or her hand stating that the writ has been withdrawn. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 12.

Liability of land to execution

13. Subject to the Courts of Justice Act and the rules of court, land and other hereditaments and real estate belonging to any person indebted are liable to and chargeable with all just debts, duties and demands of whatsoever nature or kind owing by any such person to Her Majesty or to any of her subjects and are assets for the satisfaction thereof and are subject to the like remedies, proceedings and process for seizing, selling or disposing of them towards the satisfaction of such debts, duties and demands, and in like manner as personal estate is seized, sold or disposed of. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 13.

Seizure of shares and dividends under execution

14. (1) Shares and dividends and any equitable or other right, property, interest or equity of redemption in or in respect of shares or dividends in a bank listed in Schedule I or II to the Bank Act (Canada) or a corporation having transferable shares shall be deemed to be personal property found in the place where notice of the seizure thereof is served, and may be seized under execution and sold thereunder in like manner as other personal property. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 14 (1).

Notice of seizure

(2) The sheriff on being informed on behalf of the execution creditor that the execution debtor has such shares, and on being required to seize them, shall forthwith serve a copy of the execution on the bank or corporation with a notice that all the shares of the execution debtor are seized thereunder, and from the time of service the seizure shall be deemed to be made and no transfer of the shares by the execution debtor is valid unless and until the seizure has been discharged, and every seizure and sale made under the execution shall include all dividends, premiums, bonuses or other pecuniary profits upon the shares seized, and they shall not, after notice as aforesaid, be paid by the bank or corporation to anyone except the person to whom the shares have been sold. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 14 (2).

How seizure made

(3) Such seizure may be made and notice given by the sheriff where the bank or corporation has within his or her bailiwick a place at which service of process may be made, or where a share register is kept. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 14 (3).

Provisions for the case of more than one place of service

(4) If the bank or corporation has more than one place where service of process may be made, and there is some place where transfers of shares may be notified to and entered by the bank or corporation, so as to be valid as regards the bank or corporation, or where dividends or profits as aforesaid on stock may be paid other than the place where service of such notice has been made, the notice does not affect any transfer or payment of dividends or profits duly made and entered at any such other place, so as to subject the bank or corporation to pay twice, or so as to affect the rights of a purchaser, until after the expiration of a period from the time of service sufficient for the transmission of notice of service by post from the place where it has been made to such other place, which notice it is the duty of the bank or corporation to so transmit. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 14 (4).

Mode of proceeding after sale

(5) Where any such share is sold, the sheriff shall within ten days after the sale serve upon the bank or corporation at a place where service of process may be made a copy of the execution with his or her certificate endorsed thereon certifying the sale and the name of the purchaser who shall have the same rights and be under the same obligations as if the purchaser had purchased the share from the execution debtor at the time of the service of notice under subsection (2). R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 14 (5).

Saving of all other remedies

(6) Nothing in this Act affects any remedy that the execution creditor might, without this Act, have had against any such share or the dividends, premiums, bonuses or other pecuniary profits in respect thereof, and subsections (1) to (4) apply to such remedy in so far as they can be applied thereto. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 14 (6).

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, section 14 is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2006, chapter 8, subsection 143 (1) and the following substituted:

Seizure of execution debtor’s interest in security, security entitlement

14. (1) The interest of an execution debtor in a security or security entitlement may be seized by the sheriff in accordance with sections 47 to 51 of the Securities Transfer Act, 2006. 2006, c. 8, s. 143 (1).

When effective

(2) If a seizure under subsection (1) is by notice to an issuer or securities intermediary, the seizure becomes effective when the issuer or securities intermediary has had a reasonable opportunity to act on the seizure, having regard to the time and manner of receipt of the notice. 2006, c. 8, s. 143 (1).

Seizure includes dividends, other rights to payment

(3) Every seizure and sale made by the sheriff shall include all dividends, distributions, interest and other rights to payment in respect of the security, if issued by an issuer incorporated or otherwise organized under Ontario law, or in respect of the security entitlement and, after the seizure becomes effective, the issuer or securities intermediary shall not pay the dividends, distributions or interest or give effect to other rights to payment to or on behalf of anyone except the sheriff or a person who acquires or takes the security or security entitlement from the sheriff. 2006, c. 8, s. 143 (1).

Definitions

(4) In this section and sections 15, 16 and 19, “endorsement”, “entitlement order”, “instruction”, “issuer”, “securities intermediary”, “security” and “security entitlement” have the meanings given to such terms in the Securities Transfer Act, 2006. 2006, c. 8, s. 143 (1).

See: 2006, c. 8, ss. 143 (1), 145 (2).

Seizure and sale of shares in private company

15. If a sheriff seizes the shares of an execution debtor in a private company, he or she shall first offer them for sale to the other shareholders or any one of them in such private company, and if none of them will purchase the shares for a reasonable price, the sheriff may then offer the debtor’s interest therein for sale to the public generally and sell and convey to the highest bidder. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 15.

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, section 15 is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2006, chapter 8, subsection 143 (1) and the following substituted:

Sheriff may deal with seized interest in security, security entitlement

15. (1) If an execution debtor’s interest in a security or security entitlement is seized by a sheriff, the sheriff shall be deemed to be the appropriate person under the Securities Transfer Act, 2006 for the purposes of dealing with or disposing of the seized property and, for the duration of the seizure, the execution debtor is not the appropriate person under that Act for the purposes of dealing with or disposing of the seized property. 2006, c. 8, s. 143 (1).

Same

(2) Upon seizure of an execution debtor’s interest in a security or a security entitlement, the sheriff may,

(a) do anything that would otherwise have to be done by the execution debtor; or

(b) execute or endorse any document that would otherwise have to be executed or endorsed by the execution debtor. 2006, c. 8, s. 143 (1).

Certificate of sheriff’s authority

(3) If the sheriff makes or originates an endorsement, instruction or entitlement order as the appropriate person pursuant to subsection (1), the sheriff shall provide the issuer or securities intermediary with a certificate of the sheriff stating that the sheriff has the authority under this Act to make that endorsement, instruction or entitlement order and any subsequent endorsements, instructions and entitlement orders in respect of the same execution debt. 2006, c. 8, s. 143 (1).

See: 2006, c. 8, ss. 143 (1), 145 (2).

Procedure for sale of equitable interests

16. The procedure for seizure and sale in the case of an equitable or other right, property, interest or equity of redemption in or in respect of a share shall be the same as provided in this Act in the case of shares and dividends, and the same shall be held to be personal property found in the place where notice of the seizure is served. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 16.

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, section 16 is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2006, chapter 8, subsection 143 (1) and the following substituted:

Restrictions on transfer of seized security

Application

16. (1) This section applies if the interest of an execution debtor in a security is seized by a sheriff and the jurisdiction that governs the validity of the security under section 44 of the Securities Transfer Act, 2006 is Ontario. 2006, c. 8, s. 143 (1).

Sheriff bound by restriction

(2) Subject to subsection (4), if the transfer of the seized security is restricted by the terms of the security, a restriction imposed by the issuer or a unanimous shareholder agreement governed by the law of Ontario, the sheriff is bound by the restriction. 2006, c. 8, s. 143 (1).

Person entitled to acquire or redeem seized security

(3) Subject to subsection (4), if a person would otherwise be entitled to acquire or redeem the seized security for a predetermined price or at a price fixed by reference to a predetermined formula, that person is entitled to acquire or redeem the security. 2006, c. 8, s. 143 (1).

If restriction or entitlement is intended to defraud creditors or others

(4) On application by the sheriff or any interested person, if the Superior Court of Justice considers that a restriction on the transfer of the seized security or a person’s entitlement to acquire or redeem the seized security was made with intent to defeat, hinder, delay or defraud creditors or others, the court may make any order that that the court considers appropriate regarding the seized security, including an order doing one or more of the following:

1. Directing the method or terms of sale of the seized security, or the method of realizing the value of the seized security other than through sale.

2. Directing the issuer to pay dividends, distributions or interest to the sheriff even though the sheriff is not the registered owner of the security.

3. Directing the issuer to register the transfer of the seized security to a person despite a restriction on the transfer of the security described in subsection (2) or the entitlement of another person to acquire or redeem the security described in subsection (3).

4. Directing that all or part of a unanimous shareholder agreement does not apply to a person who acquires or takes a seized security from the sheriff.

5. Directing that the issuer be dissolved and its proceeds disposed of according to law. 2006, c. 8, s. 143 (1).

Sheriff may bring application for oppression remedy

(5) The sheriff may bring an application under section 248 of the Business Corporations Act as if he or she were a complainant under that section, whether or not an application is brought under subsection (4) of this section. 2006, c. 8, s. 143 (1).

Joined with application for oppression remedy

(6) An application under subsection (4) may be joined with an application for an oppression remedy under section 248 of the Business Corporations Act. 2006, c. 8, s. 143 (1).

Transferee deemed party to shareholder agreement

(7) Unless otherwise ordered by the court pursuant to subsection (4), a person who acquires or takes a seized security from the sheriff shall be deemed to be a party to any unanimous shareholder agreement regarding the management of the business and affairs of the issuer or the exercise of voting rights attached to the seized security to which the execution debtor was a party at the time of the seizure, if the unanimous shareholder agreement contains provisions intended to preclude the execution debtor from transferring the security except to a person who agrees to be a party to that unanimous shareholder agreement. 2006, c. 8, s. 143 (1).

Limitation

(8) Despite subsection (7) and any provision in a unanimous shareholder agreement to the contrary, a person who acquires or takes a seized security from the sheriff is not liable to make any financial contribution to the corporation or provide any guarantee or indemnity of the corporation’s debts or obligations. 2006, c. 8, s. 143 (1).

Definition

(9) In this section,

“seized security” means the interest of an execution debtor in a security that is seized. 2006, c. 8, s. 143 (1).

See: 2006, c. 8, ss. 143 (1), 145 (2).

Rights under patent of invention

17. (1) All rights under letters patent of invention and any equitable or other right, property, interest or equity of redemption therein shall be deemed to be personal property and may be seized and sold under execution in like manner as other personal property. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 17 (1).

How seizable

(2) Such seizure and sale may be made by the sheriff having in his or her hands to be executed an execution against the property of the debtor who is the owner of or interested in the letters patent. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 17 (2).

Notice of seizure

(3) Notice of the seizure shall forthwith be sent to the Patent Office, Ottawa, and the interest of the debtor shall be bound from the time when the notice is received there. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 17 (3).

Seizure and sale of rights in chattels, etc.

18. The sheriff may seize and sell any equitable or other right, property, interest or equity of redemption in or in respect of any goods, chattels or personal property, including leasehold interests in any land of the execution debtor, and, except where the sale is under an execution against goods issued out of the Small Claims Court, the sale conveys whatever equitable or other right, property, interest or equity of redemption the debtor had or was entitled to in or in respect of the goods, chattels or personal property at the time of the delivery of the execution to the sheriff for execution, and, where the sale is under an execution against goods issued out of the Small Claims Court, the sale conveys whatever equitable or other right, property, interest or equity of redemption the debtor had or was entitled to in or in respect of the goods, chattels or personal property at the time of the seizure. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 18.

Money, securities, choses in action, etc.

Money and securities for money

19. (1) The sheriff shall seize any money or banknotes, including any surplus of a former execution against the debtor, and any cheques, bills of exchange, promissory notes, bonds, mortgages, specialties or other securities for money belonging to the person against whom the execution has been issued, and, subject to the Creditors’ Relief Act, shall pay or deliver to the party who sued out the execution the money or banknotes so seized, or a sufficient part thereof, and hold such cheques, bills of exchange, promissory notes, bonds, mortgages, specialties or other securities for money as security for the amount directed to be levied, or so much thereof as has not been otherwise levied or raised, and the sheriff may sue in his or her own name for the recovery of the sums secured thereby. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 19 (1).

Book debts and choses in action

(2) The sheriff may seize any book debts and other choses in action of the execution debtor and may sue in his or her own name for the recovery of the money payable in respect thereof. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 19 (2).

Sale by sheriff

(3) If it appears to the sheriff that an attempt to collect the book debts, choses in action or the securities for the money referred to in subsections (1) and (2) would be less beneficial to the creditors than a sale thereof, the sheriff may proceed to sell such book debts, choses in action and securities by public auction in the same manner as the debtor’s goods may be sold when taken in execution. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 19 (3).

Effect of payment to sheriff

(4) The payment to the sheriff by the person liable on such cheque, bill of exchange, promissory note, bond, mortgage, specialty or other security, with or without suit, or recovery from the person, discharges the person to the extent of such payment or recovery from the person’s liability thereon. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 19 (4).

Payment of proceeds

(5) Subject to the Creditors’ Relief Act, the sheriff shall pay over to the party who sued out the execution the money so paid or recovered, or a sufficient sum to discharge the amount directed to be levied, and if, after satisfaction thereof and of the fees, poundage and expenses of the sheriff, a surplus remains, it shall be paid to the party against whom the execution issued. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 19 (5).

Indemnity of sheriff

(6) A sheriff is not bound to sue any person liable upon such cheque, bill of exchange, promissory note, bond, mortgage, specialty or other security unless the party who sued out the execution enters into a bond with two sufficient sureties to indemnify the sheriff against all costs and expenses to be incurred in the prosecution of the action, or to which he or she may become liable in consequence thereof, and the expenses of the bond, not exceeding $5, may be deducted from any money recovered in the action. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 19 (6).

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, section 19 is amended by the Statutes of Ontario, 2006, chapter 8, subsection 143 (2) by adding the following subsection:

Exception

(7) This section does not apply to the interest of an execution debtor in a security or security entitlement described in section 14. 2006, c. 8, s. 143 (2).

See: 2006, c. 8, ss. 143 (2), 145 (2).

Execution of writ of seizure and sale

20. (1) A sheriff acting under a writ of seizure and sale, a writ of delivery or a writ of sequestration may use reasonable force to enter land and premises other than a dwelling where he or she believes, on reasonable and probable grounds, that there is property liable to be taken in execution under the writ and may use reasonable force to execute the writ. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 20 (1).

Idem, dwelling

(2) A sheriff acting under a writ of seizure and sale, a writ of delivery or a writ of sequestration in respect of property on premises that is used as a dwelling shall not use force to enter the dwelling or execute the writ except under the authority of an order of the court by which the writ was issued, and the court may make the order where in the opinion of the court there is reasonable and probable grounds to believe that there is property on the premises that is liable to be taken in execution under the writ. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 20 (2).

Execution of writ of possession

21. (1) A sheriff acting under a writ of possession may use reasonable force to enter and take possession of the land and premises referred to in the writ. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 21 (1).

Idem

(2) In executing a writ of possession it is not necessary to remove personal property from the land and premises. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 21 (2).

When sheriff obliged to seize goods claimed by third parties

22. (1) A sheriff is not, without written instructions and a bond as hereinafter mentioned, obliged to seize property in the possession of a third person claiming it and not in the possession of the debtor against whose property the execution was issued. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 22 (1).

Instructions

(2) The instructions shall specify the property in such a way as to enable the sheriff to identify it. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 22 (2).

Bond

(3) The bond shall be a bond of indemnity to the sheriff and his or her assigns, with two sufficient sureties who shall justify in double the value of the property, and the value shall be stated in an affidavit by the creditor or the creditor’s solicitor or agent attached to the bond. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 22 (3).

Conditions of bond

(4) The bond shall be assignable to the claimant, and shall be conditioned that the persons executing it shall be liable for the damages, costs and expenses that the sheriff or the claimant may be put to by the seizure and subsequent proceedings, including interpleader proceedings, if any, and which the claimant does not recover from other persons who ought to pay them. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 22 (4).

Settlement by judge

(5) If the sheriff is not satisfied with the bond offered, the matter in difference shall be determined by a judge of the Superior Court of Justice. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 22 (5); 2000, c. 26, Sched. A, s. 8 (9).

Right of sheriff to interpleader

(6) Nothing in this section limits the right of the sheriff to apply for relief by interpleader. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 22 (6).

Taking money secured by mortgage under execution

23. (1) If a sheriff is informed on behalf of the execution creditor that the execution debtor is a mortgagee of land and that the mortgage is registered, or that the debtor is entitled to receive a sum of money charged upon land by virtue of a registered instrument, and, if the sheriff is required on behalf of the execution creditor to seize the mortgage or charge and is furnished in writing with the information necessary to enable him or her to give the notice hereinafter mentioned, he or she shall, upon payment of the proper fees, forthwith deliver or transmit to the land registrar in whose office the mortgage or other instrument is registered, who shall forthwith register it, a notice in the form or to the effect following:

Form of sheriff’s notice to registrar

To the Land Registrar of .............................................................

By virtue of an execution issued out of the Superior Court of Justice........(or as the case may be) whereby I am commanded to levy of the goods and chattels of A. B. $........................... for debt, and $.......for costs lately adjudged to be paid by A. B. to C. D., besides the costs of execution, I have this day seized and taken in execution all the estate, right, title and interest of A. B. in a mortgage made by X.Y. to A.B., bearing date the.........day of......., 20....., and registered in the Land Registry Office for the Land Registry Division of................... (or as the case may be) on the...............day of......., 20....., as number....... (or the said mortgage or other instrument may be described in any other manner by reference to dates, parties and the land covered as will enable the notice to be registered against the land therein described) and in the money secured thereby, and this notice is given for the purpose of binding the interest of A. B. under sections 23 to 26 of the Execution Act.

Dated this....................day of.............., 20......

(Signed) ..............................................

Sheriff ...............................................

R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 23 (1); 2000, c. 26, Sched. A, s. 8 (10).

Effect of registration of sheriff’s notice to registrar

(2) Upon registration of the notice, the interest of the execution debtor in the mortgage or other instrument and in the land therein described and in the money thereby secured and in all covenants and stipulations for securing payment thereof is bound by the execution, and such registration is notice of the execution and seizure to all persons who may thereafter in any way acquire an interest in the mortgage, land, money or covenants, and the rights of the sheriff and of the execution creditor have priority over the rights of all such persons subject, as regards the mortgagor or person liable to pay the money secured by the mortgage or charge, to section 24. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 23 (2).

Notice to mortgagor

24. (1) A notice similar to that mentioned in section 23 shall also be served upon the mortgagor or the person who is liable to pay the money secured by the registered instrument, and after such service the person served shall pay to the sheriff all money then payable and, as it becomes due, all money that may become payable to the execution debtor so far as may be necessary to satisfy the execution. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 24 (1).

Mode of effecting service

(2) Service of the notice may be made personally, or by leaving it at the dwelling-house of the person to be served with an adult residing there, or by registered mail to the proper address of the person to be served. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 24 (2).

Payments made after notice

(3) Any payment made after service of the notice or after actual knowledge of the seizure is void as against the sheriff and the execution creditor. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 24 (3).

Sheriff enforcing mortgage

25. In addition to the remedies provided in this Act, the sheriff may bring an action on any mortgage or other instrument seized under this Act for the sale or foreclosure of the land covered by it, and is entitled to a bond of indemnity as in the cases provided for in subsection 19 (6). R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 25.

When seizure may be vacated

26. (1) Upon an execution, notice whereof is registered under section 23, expiring or being satisfied, set aside or withdrawn, a certificate of such fact shall be given by the sheriff or by the execution creditor, and it or the order to set aside, as the case may be, may be registered, and thereupon the seizure is vacated and at an end. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 26 (1).

Verification of order and certificates

(2) The order or the certificate of the sheriff does not require verification. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 26 (2).

Idem

(3) The certificate of the execution creditor shall be verified by the oath of a subscribing witness as in the case of other instruments affecting land. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 26 (3).

Taking security interests in personal property in execution

27. (1) Where an execution debtor is a secured party and the security interest is perfected by registration under the Personal Property Security Act, upon payment of the proper fees, a sheriff may seize the security interest by registering a financing change statement under that Act in the form prescribed thereunder recording the seizure of the security interest and the sheriff, after registering the financing change statement, may sell the execution debtor’s security interest. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 27 (1).

Effect of registration

(2) Upon the registration of the financing change statement referred to in subsection (1), the security interest of the execution debtor is bound by the execution, and the registration is notice of the execution and seizure to all persons who may thereafter acquire an interest in the security agreement or the property subject to the security interest and the rights of the sheriff and the execution creditor have priority over the rights of all persons who subsequently acquire an interest in the security agreement. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 27 (2).

Service of notice on debtor

(3) The debtor under a security agreement is not affected by a seizure under this section unless a notice of the seizure has been served upon the debtor, and any payment made by the debtor under the security agreement to the secured party before such service shall be valid. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 27 (3).

Payment to sheriff

(4) After the debtor has been served with a notice of seizure under subsection (3), the debtor shall pay to the sheriff all money then payable and, as it becomes due, all money that may become payable under the security agreement so far as may be necessary to satisfy the execution. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 27 (4).

Payments made after notice

(5) Any payment made to the secured party after service of the notice of seizure under subsection (3) or after actual knowledge of the seizure is void as against the sheriff and the execution creditor. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 27 (5).

When seizure no longer effective

(6) Where a financing change statement has been registered under subsection (2) and the execution has expired or is satisfied, set aside or withdrawn, the sheriff shall register a financing change statement under the Personal Property Security Act in the form prescribed thereunder recording the fact that the seizure of the security interest is no longer effective. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 27 (6).

Rights and remedies of sheriff

(7) In addition to the remedies provided in this Act, upon seizure of the security interest, the sheriff has all the rights and remedies of the execution debtor under the security agreement and the Personal Property Security Act, and the sheriff is entitled to a bond of indemnity sufficient to indemnify against all costs and expenses to be incurred by the sheriff in the enforcement of the security agreement. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 27 (7).

Lands subject to mortgage

28. (1) Where the word “mortgagor” occurs in this section, it shall be read and construed as if the words “the mortgagor’s heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or person having the equity of redemption” were inserted immediately after the word “mortgagor”. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 28 (1).

Interest of a mortgagor

(2) The sheriff to whom an execution against the lands and tenements of a mortgagor is directed may seize, sell and convey all the interest of the mortgagor in any mortgaged lands and tenements. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 28 (2).

Equity of redemption

(3) The equity of redemption in freehold land is saleable under an execution against the lands and tenements of the owner of the equity of redemption in the owner’s lifetime, or in the hands of the owner’s executors or administrators after the owner’s death, subject to the mortgage, in the same manner as land and tenements may now be sold under an execution. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 28 (3).

Selling lands subject to more than one mortgage in execution

(4) Where more mortgages than one of the same lands have been made to the same mortgagee or to different mortgagees, subsections (2) and (3) apply, and the equity of redemption is saleable under an execution against the lands and tenements of the owner, subject to the mortgages, in the same manner as in the case of land subject to one mortgage only. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 28 (4).

Effect of sale

(5) The effect of the seizure or taking in execution, sale and conveyance of mortgaged lands and tenements is to vest in the purchaser, the purchaser’s heirs and assigns, all the interest of the mortgagor therein at the time the execution was placed in the hands of the sheriff, as well as at the time of the sale, and to vest in the purchaser, the purchaser’s heirs and assigns, the same rights as the mortgagor would have had if the sale had not taken place, and the purchaser, the purchaser’s heirs or assigns, may pay, remove or satisfy any mortgage, charge or lien that at the time of the sale existed upon the lands or tenements so sold in like manner as the mortgagor might have done, and thereupon the purchaser, the purchaser’s heirs and assigns, acquire the same estate, right and title as the mortgagor would have acquired in case the payment, removal or satisfaction had been effected by the mortgagor. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 28 (5).

Effect of purchase by mortgagee or execution creditor

(6) A mortgagee of land, or the executors, administrators or assigns of a mortgagee, being or not being the execution creditor, may be the purchaser at the sale and acquire the same estate, interest and rights thereby as any other purchaser, but in that event the mortgagee or the executors, administrators or assigns of the mortgagee shall give to the mortgagor a release of the mortgage debt, and if another person becomes the purchaser, and, if the mortgagee, the mortgagee’s executors, administrators or assigns enforce payment of the mortgage debt by the mortgagor, the purchaser shall repay the debt and interest to the mortgagor, and, in default of payment thereof within one month after demand, the mortgagor may recover the debt and interest from the purchaser, and has a charge therefor upon the mortgaged land. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 28 (6).

Contingent interests liable to execution

29. (1) Any estate, right, title or interest in land which, under section 10 of the Conveyancing and Law of Property Act, may be conveyed or assigned by any person, or over which the person has any disposing power that the person may, without the assent of any other person, exercise for the person’s benefit, is liable to seizure and sale under execution against such person in like manner and on like conditions as land is by law liable to seizure and sale under execution, and the sheriff selling it may convey and assign it to the purchaser in the same manner and with the same effect as the person might have done. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 29 (1).

Property subject to power of appointment

(2) Property over which a deceased person had a general power of appointment exercisable for his or her own benefit without the assent of any other person where it is appointed by his or her will may be seized and sold under an execution against the personal representative of such deceased person after the property of the deceased has been exhausted. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 29 (2).

Interest in pew or sitting

30. (1) The interest of a person derived by deed, lease or licence in writing from the churchwardens or other authorities of any church in a pew or sitting, if the interest is assignable by the holder thereof, may be sold under execution at the suit of the churchwardens or other authorities for arrears of rent or other charges to which the pew or sitting is subject, or which the holder thereof may have agreed to pay or for which he or she may be liable, or at the suit of any creditor of such holder, and the churchwardens or other authorities may become purchasers at such sale on behalf of the church, and may relet or sell the right so acquired. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 30 (1).

Deed

(2) The sheriff may execute a deed to the purchaser of the interest so sold, and the churchwardens or other authorities shall, on production of the deed, give effect to it upon payment of any arrears of rent or charge then due. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 30 (2).

Saving

(3) Such sale is subject to any continuing rent or charge of such pew or sitting previously stipulated for or imposed, and does not prejudice the right to impose increased rent or charges on such pew or sitting pursuant to any law or custom. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 30 (3).

Execution against partner

31. Under an execution against a partner in his or her personal capacity, partnership assets shall not be taken in execution, but an order may be made appointing a receiver of the partner’s share of profits whether already declared or accruing and of any other money that may be coming to him or her in respect of the partnership. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 31.

How execution enforceable against executor, etc.

32. The title and interest of a testator or intestate in land may be seized and sold under an execution upon a judgment recovered by a creditor of the testator or intestate against his or her executor or administrator in the same manner and under the same process as upon a judgment against the deceased if he or she were living. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 32.

Executions against municipal corporations

33. (1) An execution against a municipal corporation may be endorsed with a direction to the sheriff to levy the amount thereof by rate, and the proceedings thereon shall then be the following:

Statement of claim to treasurer

1. The sheriff shall deliver a copy of the writ and endorsement to the treasurer of the municipal corporation, or leave such copy at the office or dwelling-place of that officer, with a statement in writing of the sheriff’s fees and of the amount required to satisfy the execution, including the interest calculated to some day as near as is convenient to the day of the service.

When sheriff to strike rate

2. If the amount with interest thereon from the day mentioned in the statement is not paid to the sheriff within one month after the service, the sheriff shall examine the assessment roll of the municipality and shall, in like manner as rates are struck for general municipal purposes, strike a rate sufficient in the dollar to cover the amount due on the execution, with such addition as the sheriff considers sufficient to cover the interest up to the time when the rate will probably be available, and his or her own fees and poundage.

Sheriff’s precept to collector, etc., to levy rate

3. The sheriff shall thereupon issue a precept under his or her hand and seal of office directed to the collector of the corporation, and shall annex to the precept the roll of such rate, and shall, by the precept after reciting the writ and that the corporation has neglected to satisfy it and referring to the roll annexed to the precept, command the collector to levy such rate at the time and in the manner by law required in respect to the general annual rates.

Rate rolls

4. If, at the time for levying the annual rates next after the receipt of such report, the collector has a general rate roll delivered to him or her for the year, he or she shall add a column thereto headed “Execution rate in A.B. vs. The Township of.......” or “Execution rate in A.B. vs. The Township of ........../Impôt relatif à l’exécution forcée dans l’affaire de A.B. contre le canton de ..........”, adding a similar column for each execution if more than one, and shall insert therein the amount by such precept required to be levied upon each person respectively, and shall levy the amount of such execution rate as aforesaid, and shall, within the time within which he or she is required to make the return of the general annual rate, return to the sheriff the precept with the amount levied thereon.

Surplus

5. The sheriff shall, after satisfying the execution and all the fees and poundage thereon, pay any surplus, within ten days after receiving it, to the treasurer of the municipal corporation. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 33 (1).

Functions of clerk, assessors and collectors

(2) The clerk, assessor and collector of the corporation shall, for all purposes connected with carrying into effect, or permitting or assisting the sheriff to carry into effect, the provisions of this Act with respect to such execution, be deemed to be officers of the court out of which the writ issued, and as such are amenable to the court and may be proceeded against by attachment, mandamus or otherwise in order to compel them to perform the duties imposed upon them. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 33 (2).

Jurisdiction of sheriff on annexation

34. (1) Where an area of land in a county or district is annexed for judicial purposes to an adjoining county or district,

(a) all writs of execution in the hands of the sheriff for the county or district to which the area is annexed at the time of the annexation bind the land in the annexed area from that time, subject to section 136 of the Land Titles Act; and

(b) the annexed area shall be deemed to remain in the bailiwick of the sheriff for the county or district of which it was formerly a part in respect of each writ of execution in his or her hands at the time of the annexation until its withdrawal, expiry or renewal, as the case may be. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 34 (1).

Levy against land in annexed area

(2) No steps shall be taken by either sheriff referred to in subsection (1) to seize and sell real or personal property of a debtor in the annexed area under a writ of execution, until he or she has notified the other sheriff of the intention to do so, and the sheriff so notified shall forward to the sheriff executing the writ a certified copy of each writ of execution against the debtor,

(a) in his or her hands, where the sheriff notified is the sheriff for the county or district to which the area is annexed; or

(b) in his or her hands at the time of the annexation and not thereafter withdrawn, expired or renewed, where the sheriff notified is the sheriff for the county or district of which the annexed area was formerly a part. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 34 (2).

Filing of writs of execution before sale

(3) Where a certified copy of a writ of execution is received by a sheriff under subsection (2), the copy shall be deemed to be a writ of execution directed to the sheriff receiving it and filed by the creditor named therein on the day of its receipt. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 34 (3).

Liens for bail

(4) This section applies to liens for bail under the Bail Act against land in the annexed area to which the Registry Act applies in the same manner as if the certificates of lien for bail were writs of execution, except that a lien of which a certificate was delivered to the sheriff of the county or district of which the annexed area was formerly part shall expire three years after the annexation takes effect unless it is sooner discharged or a certificate thereof is delivered to the sheriff in whose bailiwick the land is situate. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 34 (4).

Creation of regional or district municipalities or counties

(5) Where a regional or district municipality or a county is created, the land therein shall be deemed to be annexed to the regional or district municipality or county for the purposes of this section. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24, s. 34 (5).

Regulations

35.  (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing amounts for the purposes of paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 of section 2. 2000, c. 26, Sched. A, s. 8 (11); 2006, c. 19, Sched. B, s. 6 (3).

Five-year intervals

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) may be made once in the year 2005 and once in each year thereafter that is divisible by five. 2000, c. 26, Sched. A, s. 8 (11).

Change in Consumer Price Index to be considered

(3) In making a regulation under subsection (1), the Lieutenant Governor in Council shall consider the percentage change that has taken place in the Consumer Price Index for Canada for prices of all items since the last time amounts were determined for the purposes of paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 of section 2. 2000, c. 26, Sched. A, s. 8 (11); 2006, c. 19, Sched. B, s. 6 (4).

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