Vancouver-The Supreme Court of British Columbia has dismissed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit filed by the family of a Chinese businessman murdered in a 2017 contract killing, ruling that the plaintiffs failed to provide sufficient evidence to support their claims.
In a detailed decision, Justice Gordon Funt described the case as both “extraordinary” and “ordinary,” noting that while it involved complex international elements—including a key defendant who was executed in China in 2020—the outcome ultimately rested on basic legal principles surrounding the burden of proof.
The lawsuit was brought by the family of Changbin Yang against Long Ni and his relatives, alleging that Ni had borrowed the equivalent of more than $100 million from Yang under the pretense of investing in China’s mining sector. Instead, the plaintiffs claimed the funds were diverted to purchase multiple residential properties in Metro Vancouver.
However, the court found there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the properties were acquired using the alleged loan funds or that Ni had misrepresented his intentions. The ruling emphasized that the plaintiffs failed to produce critical financial documentation, including records related to Yang’s business holdings, which they claimed formed the basis of the dispute.
The judge also raised concerns about the credibility of the plaintiffs’ case, noting inconsistencies in related proceedings in China involving the division of Yang’s estate. The ruling suggested that multiple courts in China may have been misled during earlier legal processes, adding further doubt to the claims presented in British Columbia.
In addition, the court declined to enforce a Chinese court judgment against Ni’s estate in Canada, citing concerns about the lack of judicial independence in China’s legal system. Justice Funt stated that the structure of governance under a one-party system raised fundamental questions about the independence of the judiciary.
The plaintiffs had sought approximately $168 million in damages, arguing that Yang was a wealthy businessman with significant investments, including in coal mining and hospitality. However, the absence of supporting financial evidence proved critical in the court’s decision to dismiss the case.
The ruling underscores the challenges of pursuing complex cross-border litigation, particularly when claims rely heavily on documentation and legal findings from foreign jurisdictions.