Mr. Philip Benson

Philip Wordsworth Benson (1916-) discusses his legal career spanning from 1949 to the late 1990s, with a focus on civil litigation and negligence law. Born in Port Hope, Ontario, he graduated from University of Toronto with a B.A. in mathematics (1940), served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II, and then attended Osgoode Hall Law School (1946-1949). He articled at Haines & Haines, a prominent negligence firm in Toronto, working under Edson Haines and Douglas Haines.

After ten years at Haines & Haines, Benson established his own firm in the mid-1950s, later entering into partnership with Roy McMurtry (future Chief Justice of Ontario and Attorney General). The interview extensively covers the landmark Phillips v. Ford Motor Company case (1970-1971), where Benson represented Ford Motor Company in a brake failure lawsuit involving former Toronto Mayor Nathan Phillips. The case became notable for Justice Haines’ controversial trial conduct, including appointing an outside expert who questioned witnesses and moving proceedings to University of Toronto laboratories, leading to a successful appeal on procedural grounds.

Benson reflects on changes in legal practice over his career, including the evolution of pre-trial procedures, court structure reforms in 1990, and his involvement in professional organizations including serving as Past President of the County of York Law Association. His firm evolved through various partnerships, ultimately becoming Benson, Percival, Brown & Walsh before his retirement in the late 1990s.

This description was written by AI and may contain some inaccuracies.