#BREAKING: #Toronto Mayor Rob Ford wins his conflict of interest appeal #TOpoli

Here's an excerpt from the court's decision:

"Therefore, the appeal is allowed, the judgment of the application judge is set aside and the application under the MCIA is dismissed."

The ruling says #Toronto city council did not have the jurisdiction to impose a financial penalty on the mayor in the first place. #TOpoli

Here's some reaction from Councillor Joe Mihevic, who said he hopes the mayor is chastened and changes his approach.

"It is what it is. It's back to business as usual. We just need to kind of move on from this and keep council together."

Cllr Joe Mihevc says he hopes the mayor will now take a "different approach to governing" following his legal battle.

Here is a link to the Rob Ford ruling, if you're interested http://www.ontariocourts.ca/scj/decisions/2013ONSC0263.htm #TOpoli

RT @globeandmail Toronto Mayor Rob Ford wins appeal http://bit.ly/14dmpMp

Click here to read The Globe's Sunny Dhillon and Elizabeth Church's story on the court ruling.

"Mr. Ford is not totally out of the woods yet. Further complicating matters is an audit of Mayor Ford’s 2010 election finances that auditor Bruce Armstrong said he plans to deliver some time next week – a document that could also lead to Mr. Ford’s removal of office."

Mayor Rob Ford just said "Holy smokes!" as he went into his office #TOpoli

Mr. Ford got a round of applause as he entered his office.

My initial take: RT @globetoronto: Mayor Rob Ford's victory a relief - even to Mayor's enemies: http://bit.ly/Uq7JWm (from @marcusbgee)

Ford victory a relief – even to Mayor’s enemies http://soc.li/ubyLYFW

Councillor Josh Colle says he thought the appeal would be successful and hopes that Mr. Ford will now change his ways.

"He has to, there's no choice. There's too much work to do in the city that we can't keep getting distracted by this silliness," he said.

Click here to read our updated story on this morning's decision and reaction.

Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti says the court's decision is welcome, and that the same people who are attacking him for his campaign finances are also pursuing the mayor.

"Today is a good day for the agenda that we've all set out to do. People are trying to take us off our tracks. ... Nobody's going to push us around."

Everyone, Mr. Ford is expected to hold a news conference in 10 minutes. We'll bring you live coverage of his comments.

Clayton Ruby, who represented Paul Magder, the citizen who brought the action against Mr. Ford, has just left his law office, without commenting.

Here's a written statement just released by Mr. Ruby:

"The Court has let Rob Ford off on a technicality. We find that disappointing, particularly since the Court found that Mr. Paul Magder was right on the facts.

We believe that there are serious errors of law in the judgment and we will ask the Supreme Court of Canada for leave to appeal to that Court. It must be acknowledged that such appeals are not easy but this remains an important issue for all citizens.

Especially troubling is the finding that if a politician raises money from lobbyists and directs that money to his or her own personal interest, such abuse is beyond the reach of government oversight. This raises the possibility of American-style Political Action Committee (PAC) fundraising, which should be of great concern to all Canadians. (See Decision, paras. 49 and 70.)

No further comments will be made by Mr. Ruby or Mr. Magder."

More cameras than I've ever seen at city hall for Ford news conference.