[1] Alcan Inc. seeks leave to appeal from an interlocutory chambers order. On Alcan’s application, the chambers judge adjourned an application by Powerex Corp. for an order recognizing and enforcing an arbitral award in its favour made in Portland, Oregon until the United States Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit gives judgment on Alcan's appeal of the award. However, as a condition of the adjournment, she ordered that Alcan pay the full amount of the award to Powerex’s solicitors in trust and that it be paid out to Powerex upon Powerex posting security for repayment in the event that Alcan’s appeal should succeed. Alcan contends that the chambers judge had no authority or jurisdiction to make the latter order or, alternatively, that if she had such jurisdiction, she exercised her discretion unreasonably.

[2] The impugned order is set out as follows: