Court of Appeal

                                NOVA SCOTIA COURT OF APPEAL

       Citation:  Anixter Canada Inc. v. Phil Miller Electric Ltd., 2004 NSCA 67

                                                                                                     Date: 20040527

                                                                                               Docket: CA 212725

                                                                                                   Registry:  Halifax

Between:

                                                Anixter Canada Inc.

                                                                                                               Appellant

                                                             v.

                               Phil Miller Electric Ltd. and J.D. Irving Ltd.

                                                                                                            Respondent

Judge:                            The Honourable Justice Joel Fichaud

Appeal Heard:               April 8, 2004

Subject:                         Mechanic’s liens

Summary:            Owner held back more than 2 ½ % after 45 days from substantial completion.  Owner paid subcontractors other than appellant after appellant filed a mechanics’ lien.

Issue:                    Must owner pay appellant an amount over the statutory lien?

Result:                  After 45 days the statutory lien is 2 ½ %.  If owner retains more than this, then the excess is subject to a lien but owner may set off its debt from general contractor against the excess.