Class Action Against Philip (Hart) Baugniet (F.A.C.E. School, Victoria School and Lachine High School)
We are very pleased to announce that a settlement agreement has been reached with the English Montreal School Board. Under the settlement, the English Montreal School Board will pay a lump-sum amount ranging from $3,400,000 to $8,725,000, based on the number of claims deemed eligible by an adjudicator, to settle the class action brought against it and indemnify the following individuals:
“All persons who, while minors, were sexually abused by Phillip (Hart) Baugniet, which sexual assaults were caused in connection with and while he was the principal of Lachine High School, Victoria School, or FACE School, in Montréal, or held a teaching, management or supervisory position at such schools, as well as the succession of such persons if deceased since August 21, 2019”
If more than 46 claims are deemed eligible, the settlement may be maintained, renegotiated, or otherwise rescinded, affording the necessary flexibility to ensure adequate compensation for Class Members.
The settlement, which is subject to approval by the Superior Court of Québec, will allow eligible members to receive substantial compensation through a fully confidential claims process that excludes the defendants from any involvement or right to contest.
To that end, a hearing will be held on October 28, 2026, at 9:30 in room 15.02 of the Montréal Courthouse, for the Application to approve the settlement, the claims process and Class Counsel fees. You may consult the Notice to Class members for this hearing and the Application to Approve the Settlement.
You do not have to attend the hearing to benefit from the settlement, if it is approved.
If the Superior Court approves the settlement, we will provide additional information regarding the steps required to submit a claim and the claims deadline. Please note that at this time no claim can be submitted and that the claims process has not yet begun.
If you or someone you know has been sexually abused by Phillip (Hart) Baugniet, we invite you to contact one of the undersigned lawyers so that we may inform you of your rights.
Your communications with us are free and will be kept strictly confidential.
Me Alexandre Paquette-Dénommé
adenomme@kwlegal.ca
(514) 360-8885
Me David Stolow
dstolow@kwlegal.ca
(514) 360-8867
Me Pierre Boivin
pboivin@kwlegal.ca
(514) 360-8881
On September 24, 2024, Kugler Wechsler filed a class action lawsuit (available in French) against the English Montreal School Board and Phillip (Hart) Baugniet in connection with the sexual abuse committed by Baugniet while he was a director or teacher at Lachine High School, Victoria School, and F.A.C.E. School.
If you were sexually assaulted by Phillip (Hart) Baugniet while you were a minor, we encourage you to contact our attorneys so that we can inform you of your rights.
Your communications with our firm are free, strictly confidential, and are covered by professional secrecy.
The Kugler Wechsler attorneys handling this case:
Pierre Boivin
pboivin@kwlegal.ca
514-360-8881
David Stolow
dstolow@kwlegal.ca
514-360-8867
Emily Painter
epainter@kwlegal.ca
514-360-3462
Alexandre Paquette-Dénommé
adenomme@kwlegal.ca
514-360-8885
We will continue to update this page as the case progresses.
We are pleased to announce that by judgment dated June 27, 2024, the Superior Court of Québec authorized the filing of a class action against Phillip (Hart) Baugniet and the English Montreal School Board.
Kugler Wechsler will file a class action lawsuit against the defendants claiming compensatory damages for each victim, as well as punitive and exemplary damages of $15 million.
The class action is for the benefit of the following group:
“All persons who, while minors, were sexually abused by Phillip (Hart) Baugniet, which sexual assaults were caused in connection with and while he was the principal of Lachine High School, Victoria School, or FACE School, in Montreal, or held a teaching, management or supervisory position at such schools, as well as the succession of such persons if deceased since August 21, 2019”
Documents concerning the authorization of this class action:
- Notice to Members: short-form and long-form
- Modified Application for Authorization to Institute a Class Action
Kugler Wechsler filed a Modified Application for Authorization to Institute a Class Action.
The Modified Application alleges that the English Montreal School Board is liable, together with Philip (Hart) Baugniet, for the damages suffered by class members.
Kugler Wechsler filed an Application for Authorization to Institute a Class Action.