AVOIDING UNDERSETTLEMENT: A GUIDE FOR PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS: WEBINAR 4th JUNE 2024
This webinar looks at those cases where allegations of under settlement have been made against claimant solicitors, looking at the factors that lead to a court finding whether there was negligence when a case was settled or litigated. Booking details…
JOINING A SOLICITOR INTO AN APPLICATION, WITH A THREAT OF COSTS – LED TO THE APPLICANTS PAYING £45,000 IN COSTS
The case of Tonstate Group Ltd & Ors v Wojakowski & Anor [2024] EWHC 1196 (Ch) is a real world example of the dangers of joining a litigant’s firm of solicitors in an application, threatening to seek costs against them. …
AVOIDING LIMITATION PROBLEMS AND THE (POSSIBLE) LIFELINE OF SECTION 33: WEBINAR 29th MAY 2024
Over the year this blog has recorded many cases of claimants (but not always claimants) coming to grief because of limitation issues. This webinar is designed to help practitioners avoid limitation problems, looking at major problem areas, common mistakes and…
WHEN IS IT SENSIBLE TO APPLY TO EXTEND TIME FOR SERVICE OF THE CLAIM FORM? NEVER – JUST NEVER: A CASE TO POINT
Yesterday, in a lecture I was giving about issues relating to service of the claim form, I was asked to address the issue of “when is it sensible to apply for an extension of time for service of the claim…
REDUCING THE RISKS OF ADVERSE COSTS ORDERS IN CIVIL LITIGATION: WEBINAR 20th MAY 2024
A costs order against your client is always a painful event. This webinar looks at the best and safest means of litigating to avoid costs orders against a claimant. It covers areas relating to extensions of time, relief from sanctions…
WHAT TO DO IF THE DEFENDANT MAKES AN EARLY PART 36 OFFER 2024 : WEBINAR 13th MAY 2024
The making of an early Part 36 offer can cause major problems for claimants and their lawyers. An understanding of the rules, the relevant cases and the steps that need to be taken when a Part 36 offer is made…
WHEN THINGS GO WRONG IN LITIGATION: SOME KEY POINTS AND SOME USEFUL LINKS
Earlier today I gave a webinar on “What to do when things go wrong in litigation”, this was immediately before I went to court to argue a case which, among other things, related to extensions of time to serve the…
WHAT TO DO WHEN THINGS GO WRONG IN LITIGATION: WEBINAR 30th APRIL 2024
This blog often looks at cases where litigation has gone wrong, be it limitation, service or someone falling foul of the rules or court orders. One of the saddest aspects of many of these cases is that if prompt and…
PROCEDURE, DAMAGES, LIABILITY, COSTS AND LIMITATION: A SERIES OF WEBINARS THIS YEAR AIMING TO HELP AVOID OR DEAL WITH PROBLEMS IN LITIGATION
The issues arising from many of the cases looked at on this blog are being considered in a series of webinars starting later this month. The webinars cover many of the problem areas of litigation: what to do when things…
COURT WOULD NOT SET ASIDE FINAL ORDER FOR DIVORCE CAUSED BY A SOLICITORS ERROR: IT IS MORE THAN A SIMPLE CLICK OF A MOUSE
In Williams v Williams [2024] EWHC 733 (Fam) Sir Andrew McFarlane refused to set aside a final divorce order when the order had been made due to a mistake by the applicant’s solicitors. It is a clear example of the…
WITNESS STATEMENTS AND WITNESS EVIDENCE: WHEN LAWYERS CAN BE THEIR OWN WORSE ENEMIES: “THE ABSENCE OF SUCH EVIDENCE IS IN THE NATURE OF A DEAFENING SILENCE”
There are numerous, indeed hundreds, of posts on this blog that deal with the difficulties that can arise in relation to witness statements and witness evidence. Often it is a failure to address basic and fundamental points in relation to…
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WRITE: THE SUPREME COURT MAY READ IT ONE DAY (AND IT MAY END UP ON A BLOG SOMEWHERE…): A REPEAT
Recent social media interest in a post I first wrote in April 2017 has led me to repeat it. The post concerned an aspect the Supreme Court decision in Times -v- Flood [2017] UKSC 33 that did not made the…
THE PROFOUND LACK OF WISDOM IN SIGNING STATEMENTS OF TRUTH ON BEHALF OF YOUR CLIENT: A REPEAT
The post earlier this morning about witness evidence in a case where the Particulars of Claim had been signed by a solicitor has raised some interesting observations. Not least commentators have observed that it is, to say the least, profoundly…
SERVING A SKELETON LATE DOES NOT A HAPPY JUDGE MAKE: IT IS A VICE TO SUPPLY MATERIALS LATE IN THE DAY
In Karimi, R (On the Application Of) v Sheffield City Council [2024] EWHC 93 (Admin) Fordham J sent out a reminder to practitioners (and particularly those who draft skeleton arguments) of the need to file skeleton arguments in accordance with…
“MY LAWYER DRAFTED MY STATEMENT”: A REMINDER OF THE NEED FOR SELF-PROTECTION
We have seen a high profile example recently of a witness stating that their statement had been drafted by the lawyers involved. This is not a rare occurrence. Here is a recap of some of the issues that litigators need…
THIRD CLAIM FORM CASE OF THE YEAR: FAILURE TO SERVE A SEALED CLAIM FORM, SERVING BY EMAIL WITHOUT THE DEFENDANTS’ CONSENT: IT ENDS UP BADLY FOR THE CLAIMANT
I am grateful to barrister Alicia Tew for sending me a copy of the judgment of HHJ Karen Walden-Smith in Harper -v- Bamber & Lewis (Cambridge County Court – copy of which is available here judgment in Bamber v Harper ). …
FIRST CLAIM FORM CASE OF 2024: CLAIMANT COMES TO GRIEF WHEN THE DEFENDANT WAS SERVED BY THE WRONG METHOD: NO RELIEF AVAILABLE
It took until the 4th January for the first case in relation to service of the claim form to come to light. In Chehaib v King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust & Ors [2024] EWHC 2 (KB) Master Stevens dismissed…
WHAT TO DO WHEN THINGS GO WRONG IN LITIGATION: TEN KEY POINTS WORTH REPEATING
In January 2017 I wrote about a case where a newly qualified solicitor had been struck off . The solicitor “had ‘messed up’ on a handful of the 170 cases he was handling and did not seek help from colleagues”. …
SERVICE OF THE CLAIM FORM: TWELVE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW TO AVOID “DICING WITH PROCEDURAL DEATH”
This is a periodic post (every 3 – 4 years or so) about issues relating to service of the claim form. It will be surprising if there are not cases (and subsequent blog posts) about service issues this year. There…
CLAIM FORM SENT TO DEFENDANT’S OLD REGISTERED OFFICE NOT PROPERLY SERVED: CLAIMANT WAS NOT INSULATED AGAINST THE MISTAKES OF THEIR SOLICITORS
The judgment of District Judge Dawson in Jagger (& others) -v- Axa Insurance PLC, has enough material to keep this blog going for a month. (The judgment is available on a link from the Law Society Gazette here). I am…
SERVICE OF THE CLAIM FORM CASES: THE PAST 14 MONTHS: ANOTHER SEASON OF THE DREARY & UNLOVELY CROP OF PROCEDURAL SERVICE ISSUES: WEBINAR 5th FEBRUARY 2024
This year has seen a bumper number of reported cases on what Master McCloud has referred to as a “dry and unlovely crop of procedural service issues”. This webinar on the 5th February looks at the cases relating to the…
HALLOWEEN FOR LITIGATORS: AN ICY (AND SCARY) BLAST FROM THE PAST: WHAT SCARES LAWYERS MOST?
Here we take a look back at the old, old, days of 2017. There was a suggestion there be a “Halloween” post for lawyers – what scares the legal profession most? . Having taken up the challenge I then promptly delegated…
WORKING REMOTELY: AVOIDING PROCEDURAL AND OTHER PITFALLS: WEBINAR 16th OCTOBER 2023
Working remotely can give rise to additional pressures on litigators, particularly in relation to procedural issues and dealing with problems that occur in litigation and with clients. This webinar looks at the major pitfalls that can occur in personal injury…
THE COVER UP IS INVARIABLY WORSE THAN THE ERROR: WHAT TO DO WHEN MISTAKES ARE MADE
The post earlier this week based on the article by the Honourable Joseph Quinn led to to look in detail at one point made – that of avoiding a “cover up” and acting immediately to deal with mistakes. This led…
TWELVE KEY POINTS FOR PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS ABOUT BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY (AND A PLUG FOR A WEBINAR)
I still see, on a fairly regular basis, problems caused in personal injury cases where a claimant is bankrupt and has failed to tell their lawyers. Equally often there are cases where it is clear that a claimant is, or…
ADVISING ON THE RISKS OF LITIGATION: A RECAP: “CLIENTS WANT TWO INCONSISTENT THINGS”
Continuing with the look back at previous years we are looking at a post written in July 2019 about advising on the risks of litigation. “The difficulties facing those giving advice about litigation is summed up in a…
WHEN IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE STATEMENT IS NOT IN THE WORDS THAT WITNESS WOULD USE: A REMINDER OF THE DANGERS
There is a short passage in the judgment of Costs Judge Leonard in Pulford v Hughes Fowler Carruthers Ltd [2023] EWHC 1429 (SCCO)that is illustrative of the dangers of “lawyerly” witness statement. THE CASE The judge was considering issues of…
AVOIDING NEGLIGENCE CLAIMS IN PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION: A RECAP OF THE FIRST SERIES
As part of the scroll through the “back catalogue” on this blog we are looking at the series from 2013 on avoiding negligence. Remember that this series was written 10 years ago. There may have been some changes since then,…
CLAIMANT’S CONVENTION CLAIM DISMISSED FOLLOWING ATTEMPT TO AMEND AFTER THE EXPIRY OF THE LIMITATION PERIOD
I am grateful to Barrister Katherine Howells for sending me a copy of the judgment in Hallett -v- TUI Airways Limited, a copy of which is available here Approved Judgment Hallett v TUI Airways Limited. The case deals with the…
LATE SERVICE OF THE PARTICULARS OF CLAIM: THE “TRAP FOR THE UNWARY” AND RELIEF FROM SANCTIONS
In Altiatech Ltd v Birmingham City Council [2023] EWHC 1371 (TCC) Mr Justice Waksman considered the position when a claimant served the Particulars of Claim late. The judgement refers to a specific rules in relation to procurement. However the point…
WITNESS CREDIBILITY:”BLAMING LEGAL ADVISERS FOR LEGAL DOCUMENTATION”: A CASE IN POINT
The judgment of HHJ Richard Williams (sitting as a High Court Judge) in Rancom Security Ltd v Girling & Ors [2023] EWHC 1115 (Ch) provides an interesting example of the assessment of witness credibility. It also highlights the point that…
COST BITES 81: SOLICITOR WORKING UNDER A CFA HAS A DUTY TO KEEP CLIENT INFORMED OF THE “STAGGERINGLY HIGH LEVEL OF COSTS” IN THE ACTION, INCLUDING EXPERTS: HIGH COURT DECISION
There is much for litigators to learn from the judgment of Mr Justice Fancourt in Forster v Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP [2023] EWHC 1150 (Ch). Here I want to concentrate upon one element of the case – the need to…
“IT WAS TWENTY YEARS AGO TODAY”: A BATCH OF SERVICE OF THE CLAIM FORM CASES IN THE COURT OF APPEAL: A CHANCE TO REVIEW (OR REMINISCE..)
The Court of Appeal judgment in Cranfield & Anor v Bridgegrove Ltd. [2003] EWCA Civ 656 was given 20 years ago today. One of the aims of that judgment was to clarify issues relating to service of the claim form…
FAILURE TO PAY CORRECT COURT FEE WHEN LODGING PROCEEDINGS AT COURT MEANS ACTION BITES THE DUST: CPR 3.9 AND 3.10 CANNOT HELP
In Peterson & Anor v Howard De Walden Estates Ltd [2023] EWHC 929 (KB) the unfortunate claimant failed to fail the correct fee. The court declined to issue proceedings. Consequently the claim was out of time Mr Justice Eyre held…
WHAT TO DO WHEN THINGS GO WRONG IN LITIGATION: WEBINAR 25th APRIL 2023
This blog spends a lot of time looking at cases where things have gone wrong, for one reason and another. This webinar on the 25th April 2023 looks at the main problem areas in litigation and the practical steps that…
ISSUING IN HASTE BEFORE APRIL 6th: DO NOT REPENT AT LEISURE WITH SERVICE ISSUES IN FOUR MONTHS’ TIME
I have been told that there has been a flurry of activity this week with claimants anxious to issue proceedings before the change in the rules relating to QOCS. One problem with this is that there will now be numerous…
REDUCING THE RISKS OF ADVERSE COSTS ORDERS IN CIVIL LITIGATION: WEBINAR 23rd MARCH 2023
With the changes coming into place in relation to QOCS on the 6th April 2023 it is now more important than ever that claimants avoid adverse costs orders. This webinar looks at the best and safest means of litigating to…
ENSURING EVERYTHING GOES RIGHT IN FATAL ACCIDENT CLAIMS: WEBINAR 22nd FEBRUARY 2023
On the 22nd February 2023 I am presenting a webinar on Fatal Accidents “Ensuring Everything Goes Right”. This looks at the problem areas that can arise in fatal claims and how to avoid them. Booking details are available here. THE…
CLAIMANT SOUGHT TO AMEND NAME OF THE DEFENDANT: CLAIM STRUCK OUT: ANOTHER PERIL OF TRAVEL LITIGATION
I am grateful to barrister Katherine Howells for sending me a copy of the decision of Deputy District Judge Causton in Gregory -v- TUI Airways Ltd, a copy of that decision is available here Approved Judgment Gregory v TUI. …
WEBINAR ON CARE, AIDS & APPLIANCES CLAIMS AFTER MUYEPA -v- THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE: 18th NOVEMBER 2022
I have already written three times about the judgment of Mr Justice Cotter in Muyepa v Ministry of Defence [2022] EWHC 2648 (KB). I have not explored in detail the important observations in that judgment in relation to claiming, and presenting,…
A WEEK IS A LONG TIME IN POLITICS: FOUR WEEKS IS EVEN LONGER IN LAW: CLAIMANT REFUSED INJUNCTION BECAUSE THEY HAD NOT ISSUED PROCEEDINGS
In Hayes v Pack & Ors [2022] EWHC 2508 (KB) Mr Justice Johnson refused to grant an injunction. The unusual nature of the application should not hide the fact that the application was refused because the claimant had failed to…
AVOIDING LIMITATION PROBLEMS IN PERSONAL INJURY: WEBINAR 29th SEPTEMBER 2022
On the 29th September 2022 I am presenting a webinar “Avoiding Limitation Problems”. This deals with the major issues relating to limitation in personal injury actions. Booking details are available here. THE CONTENTS OF THE WEBINAR Basic limitation periods,…
AVOIDING PROCEDURAL PROBLEMS: A PRACTITIONER’S GUIDE: WEBINAR 23rd SEPTEMBER 2022
In case anyone hasn’t noticed a lot of (perhaps the vast majority) of posts on this blog relate to procedural issues and problems that litigators have run into, or taken advantage of. On the 23rd September 2022 I am presenting…
AVOIDING UNDER-SETTLEMENT: A GUIDE FOR PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS: WEBINAR 20th SEPTEMBER 2022
A webinar on “avoiding undersettlement” for personal injury lawyers is being held on the 20th September 2022. Booking details are available here. “We go back through your claim in fine detail and if we find that your previous solicitor…
CASES ON SERVICE OF THE CLAIM FORM IN 2022: WHAT LITIGATORS CAN, AND MUST LEARN FROM THEM: WEBINAR 14th OCTOBER 2022
2022 has seen some significant decisions in relation to service of the claim form, with many claimants coming to grief due to basic errors made when serving, or attempting to serve. This webinar “One Day Out” but still too late:…
IT IS THE CLAIMANTS’ JOB TO SERVE THE CLAIM FORM ON TIME: HIGH COURT REJECTS ARGUMENT THAT DEFENDANTS WERE ESTOPPED FROM TAKING THE POINT: CLAIMANTS’ OTHER ARGUMENT COME TO GRIEF
We are always seeing new ways in which mistakes are made in relation to service of the claim form. In Lonsdale & Ors v Wedlake Bell Llp & Ors [2022] EWHC 2169 (QB)the claimants agreed an extension of time to…
THE 10 YEAR LONGSTOP PERIOD IN PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIMS: A POINT TO WATCH
There is one very tricky area of limitation law that I wanted to return to following the judgment in Coote -v- Ullstein [2022] EWHC 606 (QB). The case was looked at in detail here. However I want to concentrate on the…
HOW TO CALCULATE TIME IN THE CIVIL PROCEDURE RULES
Periodically I write reminders of the importance of being able to calculate time periods correctly. Sometime a miscalculation can lead to fundamental problems. AN EXAMPLE OF MISCALCULATION In Evans v Pinsent Masons LLP [2019] EWHC 2150 (QB) Mr Justice Martin Spencer overturned…
WEBINARS ON KEEPING YOUR COOL: UNDERSETTLEMENT, PROCEDURAL PITFALLS AND LIMITATION PROBLEMS: AVOIDING MATTERS HEATING UP WHEN THE HEATWAVE IS OVER
In September I am presenting a number of webinars with the theme of “avoiding problems”. These are avoiding undersettlement: avoiding procedural pitfalls and avoiding problems with limitation. “AVOIDING UNDERSETTLEMENT: A GUIDE FOR PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS” 19th September 2022 …
NINE YEARS ON IV: 2016: BEING LEGALLY STREETWISE: WHAT THEY DON’T TEACH YOU IN LAW SCHOOL
Continuing with the selection of post from each year of the blog I have reproduced below a post from February 2016. This post was unusual in that I saw a post from a firm of solicitors, Darlingtons, and asked permission…
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