LogoutMr. Percy Claire Finlay
Percy Claire Finlay (1898-1986) provides a comprehensive account of his distinguished legal career spanning over six decades, beginning with his graduation from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1924 and joining the firm of Holden, Murdoch and Finlay. The interview covers his early life on Pelee Island, his education at the University of Toronto and Western University, and his articling experience with prominent lawyers including I.F. Hellmuth.
Finlay’s career was closely intertwined with the development of Canada’s mining industry, particularly through his work with Hollinger Mines, where he progressed from junior lawyer to Chairman. He handled significant cases including the McMartin Estate case that went to the Privy Council, the landmark Noranda patent case, and various mining-related litigation. His practice evolved from general litigation in the 1920s-1930s, including numerous foreclosure actions during the Depression, to specialized mining law and corporate executive roles.
The transcript reveals Finlay’s transition from practicing lawyer to corporate executive, serving as Secretary, Vice-President, and eventually President and Chief Executive Officer of Hollinger, while simultaneously managing substantial estates of mining magnates. His career exemplifies the intersection of legal practice and business leadership in Canada’s resource sector, providing valuable insights into the evolution of mining law, corporate governance, and the Canadian legal profession throughout the 20th century.
This description was written by AI and may contain some inaccuracies.
References
The following are a selection of topics discussed in this oral history.
- Division Court
- Exchequer Court
- Ontario Court of Appeal
- Privy Council
- Supreme Court of Canada
- Weekly Court
- Osgoode Hall Law School
- University of Toronto
- Western University
- Eldorado Company
- Ministry of National Revenue
- Ontario Securities Commission
- Carter Commission Report
- Charter of Rights and Freedoms Adoption
- Great Depression
- Iron Ore Development Labrador
- Ontario Succession Duties
- Patriation of the Constitution
- Uranium Mining Boom
- World War I
- World War II
- British Columbia
- Federal
- Labrador
- Newfoundland
- Ontario
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Blakes
- Fasken Calvin
- Goodman, Langman and Sinclair
- Hellmuth, Cattanach
- Holden, Murdoch and Finlay
- McCarthy Tétrault
- McKillop and Douglas
- Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt
- Holden Executor v. Minister of National Revenue
- Hollinger v. Northern Ontario Power Company
- M.N.R. v. Hollinger
- Peccin v. Lonegan & T. & N.O.R. Commission
- R. v. Noranda
- Riverdale Garage v. Barrett
- Township of Tisdale v. Hollinger
- Arthur Meighen
- Conrad Black
- D.L. McCarthy
- David Dunlap
- Duncan McTavish
- George Walsh
- Gilbert Labine
- I.F. Hellmuth
- Ivan Rand
- James Y. Murdoch
- John A. Cartwright
- John B. Holden
- Lyman Duff
- N.W. Rowell
- Noah Timmins
- Peter White
- Roy Kellock
- W.N. Tilley
- Law Society of Ontario
- Prospectors and Developers Association
- Toronto Branch C.I.M.
- 1890s
- 1900s
- 1910s
- 1920s
- 1930s
- 1940s
- 1950s
- 1960s
- 1970s
- 1980s
- Administrative Law
- bailment
- Constitutional Law
- Corporate Law
- Divorce Law
- Estate Law
- Foreclosure
- Mining Law
- Patent Law
- Real Estate Law
- Securities Law
- Tax Law
Some of these references were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
Archive Details
Files consist of oral history records documenting the life and career of Percy Claire Finlay (b. 1898), who was a lawyer for the Toronto firm of Holden, Murdoch & Finlay and his main work involved the mining industry. Interview topics include: Osgoode Hall; articling with McKillop and Douglas; joining Holden, Murdoch & Finlay; Holden, Murdoch & Finlay; select cases. Interview conducted by Christine J.N. Kates. File includes three audio cassette recordings from a series of three interviews, two versions of the transcript (original and revised, each 85 p.), and a biographical pamphlet with related photograph.