THE DANGERS OF LAWYERS WORKING WHILST TRAVELLING: TOP TEN TIPS (& A BONUS) TO KEEP YOU ON THE RAILS
Todays top 10 tips follows on from yesterday. In the previous post PJ Kirby recorded how he was able to draft a letter that included: “We acknowledge receipt of your letter which was expected as Mr X was discussing the…
GENERAL GUIDANCE ON PDF BUNDLES FOR HEARINGS IN COURTS: GUIDANCE ISSUED TODAY
Mr Justice Mann has issued the following guidance on PDF bundles today. It provides practical guidance as to the matters that should be included in bundles, including the need for optical recognition, the need for the documents to be in…
COVID REPEATS 20: CIVIL LITIGATION BRIEF 26 YEARS AGO: PROCEDURAL DEVELOPMENT IN 1994
Six years ago I reviewed the annual output of Civil Litigation Brief in 1994 so, in essence, this is a repeat of a repeat. There were no “blogs” back. Twenty six ago CLB was a monthly column in the Solicitors…
AN ELECTRONIC BUNDLE SHOULD BE CONFINED TO “ESSENTIAL” DOCUMENTS: IT HELPS IF COUNSEL HAS A SAY IN ITS PREPARATION: IMPORTANCE GUIDANCE FROM THE HIGH COURT
In the judgment given this morning in Tailby , Re TPS Investments (UK) Ltd [2020] EWHC 1135 (Ch) HHJ Cox QC (sitting as a High Court Judge) gave some importance guidance in relation to the preparation and presentation of an…
COVID REPEATS 17: SEDLEY’S LAW OF DOCUMENTS
It was clearly his extensive experience with trial bundles that led Sedley L.J. to write “Sedley’s Laws of Documents”. These are laws that should be considered, in detail, by every litigator. For many, many years, a post I wrote on…
MORE USEFUL GUIDANCE ON BUNDLES AND VIRTUAL HEARINGS
Caselines has kindly sent me details of their very useful “COVID-19 Resource Hub” TOPICS COVERED Pandemics, Privacy, and Confidential Data Security: Managing Information Risk is Critical Video: Introduction to a CaseLines Bundle Quick Reference Guide: From Invite to…
Video: Creating and using electronic hearing bundles: St Philips Chambers
St Philips Chambers have kindly sent me a link to their video “Creating and using electronic hearing bundles” available here. https://youtu.be/WmUDC3i9aTw The video explains how to create and use an electronic trial or hearing bundle using Adobe Acrobat Pro…. Enjoying…
EBUNDLING: VERY USEFUL STEP BY STEP GUIDE
James M Turner QC has prepared an EBundling Guide to help advocates and other deal with the issue of preparing bundles. This is a task we may all have to come to terms with in the very near future. The…
E BUNDLES: GUIDANCE FROM THE FINANCIAL REMEDIES COURT
The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary site has an “e-bundles protocol”. Since this is a sign of things to come it would benefit all practitioners to read it. THE GUIDANCE 4. Where an e-bundle is to be used the following technical…
2019 AND CIVIL PROCEDURE – A ROUND UP OF THE ROUND UPS: WHAT TO FRET ABOUT AND WHAT NOT TO FRET ABOUT…
There have been a series of annual reviews on key topics throughout December. To round off the year it seemed a good idea to provide a reminder of them all and put the links in one place 2019 AND CIVIL…
2019 AND CIVIL PROCEDURE THE YEAR IN REVIEW: FACTS, FIGURES AND SEARCH TERMS: “CAN A DEAD PERSON BE TAKEN TO COURT?”
The statistics at the end of the year are always interesting (to me at least). The search terms that lead to this blog can be quite illuminating (and sometimes quite alarming…). MOST READ POSTS OF 2019 After seven years…
2019 AND CIVIL PROCEDURE – THE YEAR IN REVIEW (1): BUNDLES
I am sorry to be starting the annual review of procedure so early, but December is a busy month and there is a lot to fit in. I’ll start with the subject that has constantly drawn the most readers to…
CIVIL PROCEDURE BACK TO BASICS 69 : SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE LITIGATOR: A RECAP
The earlier post on the judgment last Jet 2 Holidays Ltd v Hughes & Anor [2019] EWCA Civ 1858 was another case in which social media played a part. The defendant holiday company found social media entries which appeared inconsistent…
PROVING THINGS 167: BUNDLES, EXPERTS, ABSENT WITNESS, UNPLEADED DEFENCES AND… SEWAGE: ALL MODERN LITIGATION IS HERE…
The judgment of HHJ Russen (QC) (sitting as a High Court Judge) in Kivells Ltd v Torridge District Council [2019] EWHC 2846 (TCC), contains a number of interesting scenarios in relation to civil evidence. Many of the common problems of…
THE BACK TO BASICS SERIES: A RUNNING ACCOUNT: READ THEM ALL HERE
The “Back to Basics” series, as the title suggests, deals with some of the basic elements of civil procedure. It covers everything from applications and bundles to the taking of witness statements. The titles are often prompted by elements…
OPENING LINES OF JUDGMENTS: A DELUGE OF DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE AND FRUSTRATED CASE MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS
This year has been fairly sparse in relation to notable opening lines to judgments. It is indeed difficult to match up to Martinez (t/a Prick) & Anor v Prick Me Baby One More Time Ltd (t/a Prick) & Anor [2018] EWHC…
WHAT A DAY FOR BUNDLES – SUPREME COURT SHENANIGANS DOESN’T LEAD TO PANNICK: A RECAP OF AVAILABLE GUIDANCE
Yesterday the Supreme Court was hearing two appeals in relation to the the prorogation of Parliament. The line up of legal talent is immense. However every single litigation lawyer watching could identify with the problems that the court was having…
STARTING PUPILLAGE OR A TRAINING CONTRACT – WHAT DO YOU PUT IN YOUR BAG? ADVICE FROM THE LAWYERS OF TWITTER
Many people are starting their pupillages and training contracts tomorrow. When pupil-to-be Chloe Branton asked for some advice as to what to take in her bag to court the legal twiterrati were, as ever, generous in their advice. THE QUESTION…
BUNDLES AGAIN: DOUBLE SIDED BUNDLES – A MUST AT TRIAL – A NO, NO IN THE COURT OF APPEAL (DOES NOBODY THINK OF THE TREES…)
There was much excitement about the rules changes so that bundles for applications and trials should be double-sided. However nothing is consistent in legal procedure. I am grateful to barrister Matt Jackson for sending me a (highly redacted) copy…
ANOTHER POST ON THE AUTHORITIES BUNDLE: THE SUPREME COURT SAY THEY SHOULD BE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER: GUIDANCE FROM THE NICE LAWYERS OF TWITTER
Earlier today I reported on a comment from the Court of Appeal that it did not help for authorities to be placed in alphabetical order. I commented on the absence of clear guidance. Here we look at the views from…
A SECOND POST ABOUT BUNDLES OF AUTHORITIES: SORTING OF AUTHORITIES BY ALPHABETICAL ORDER NOT HELPFUL: COMMENTS FROM THE COURT OF APPEAL TODAY
The Court of Appeal adjourned the hearing today in Swift -v- Carpenter. Looking at the footage at 1.04 you can see a comment by the court in relation to the bundle of authorities. THE BUNDLE WAS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER…
PREPARE A NON-COMPLIANT BUNDLE OF AUTHORITIES: THE RISKS OF COSTS BEING DISALLOWED: COURT OF APPEAL SOUNDS A WARNING
In the judgment today in Parr v Keystone Healthcare Ltd & Ors [2019] EWCA Civ 1246 Lord Justice Lewison expressed concerns about the failure to follow the Practice Direction on the citation of authorities. THE CASE The Court of…
CIVIL PROCEDURE BACK TO BASICS 50: THE POSTS SO FAR
The “back to basics” series has been going since April 2018. It has covered a surprising amount of topics. From how to draft an application to “litigation wishful thinking”. Some people have expressed surprise and how “basic” some points are…
BUNDLES: CIVIL CASES IN THE FAMILY DIVISION: COMPLY WITH THE RULES
In Re XY [2019] EWHC 1610 (Fam) Mr Justice Williams made it clear that all cases heard in the Family Division are subject to the Division rules relating to bundles. “For applications such as those under the Inheritance (Provision for…
LITIGATION THAT WAS “TOTALLY OUT OF PROPORTION”: THE CLAIMANT SHOULD HAVE CUT THEIR CASE TO SUIT THEIR CLOTH: (SOMETHING ABOUT BUNDLES TOO)
In White Winston Select Asset Funds LLC & Anor v Mahon & Anor [2019] EWHC 1381 (Ch) HHJ Simon Barker QC had some telling words about the manner in which the claimant had conducted litigation. What is remarkable about this…
ATTEMPTING TO OBTAIN EXTENSIONS OF TIME BY INFORMAL EMAIL : THE COURT TAKES A “SINGULARLY DIM VIEW” OF ATTEMPTS BY PARTIES TO CIRCUMVENT THE RULES (OH, AND BUNDLES AGAIN)
In Saint Benedict Land Trust Ltd v London Borough of Camden & Anor [2019] EWHC 1433 (Ch) (17 May 2019) Mr Justice Marcus Smith took a very dim view indeed of an attempt by a litigant to obtain an extension…
PROVING THINGS 153: “YOU DO NOT WIN A CASE ON INCONSISTENCIES”: WHEN THE APPLICANTS “PURSUED A CONFUSED AND POORLY EVIDENCED CASE FOR LITTLE PURPOSE”
Most cases are lost not on issues of law but on issues of evidence. In Stewart & Ors v Watkin [2019] EWHC 1311 (Ch) ICC Judge Barber was particularly scathing of the quality of the applicants’ evidence. The judgment contains…
ANOTHER TRIAL BUNDLE CASE: ACTION STRUCK OUT FOR FAILURE TO PREPARE TRIAL BUNDLE: APPEAL AGAINST STRIKING OUT DISMISSED
In Al-Balhaa v Raphael & Ors [2019] EWHC 1323 (QB) Mr Justice Nicol upheld a finding that the action was struck out because of the claimant’s failure to prepare a trial bundle and relief from sanctions should not be granted. …
ADVICE FROM ACROSS THE PROFESSION AND AROUND THE WORLD: “CROWD SOURCED” GUIDANCE: THANKS FOR ALL THE TWEETS
There have been a number of occasions when I have put contributions from people on Twitter on this blog. This is usually in response to specific questions and issues raised. People have been generous in their time and Advice. I…
WHAT DO LAWYERS DREAM ABOUT? ODD SHOES, PINK HAIR AND BEING LATE FOR COURT
This post started out of a perfectly amicable tweet from law lecturer extraordinaire Snigdha Nag, wishing everyone taking exams good luck. That led some practitioners to reply that they were still having nightmares about law exams. That then led to…
MISTAKES ON A TRAIN: THE DANGERS OF LAWYERS WORKING ON THE MOVE
This post is caused by a Twitter thread this evening. I was travelling on a train and a solicitor sat beside me (who I did not know). I knew she was a solicitor because she took out a laptop and…
MORE ON THE GREAT BUNDLE TAKEAWAY DEBACLE: A “DIFFICULT” QUESTION OF STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION FOR FAMILY LAWYERS
There has been a large amount of comments on the previous posts in relation to taking away of bundles after trial. For family lawyers there is an even greater problem. The “joint notice” from HMCTS endorsed by the Bar Council…
A TINY BIT MORE ON BUNDLES AND THE TAKEAWAY CONDUNDRUM
The earlier post set out HMCTS guidance in relation to the taking away of documents after a hearing. At the same time as HMCTS prepared the Joint Notice the Bar Council issued an explanatory note “Many of you will be…
WITNESS BUNDLES: TAKE THEM AWAY AT THE END OF THE TRIAL – OR ELSE
This has been a week dominated by bundles. To end the week the Bar Council has sent out a joint notice from HMCTS on removal of court bundles. This provides a major incentive to ensure that bundles are, in fact,…
BUNDLES AND PAGINATION CAN BE THE STUFF OF NIGHTMARES: ADVICE FROM ACROSS THE PROFESSION
I didn’t mean to start another “crowd sourcing” blog post so soon. However the post yesterday on the changes to the rules as to to bundles started an unexpected furore. The preparation of bundles has always been a big part…
THE RULES THEY ARE A CHANGING: NEW RULES ON BUNDLES FROM THE 6th APRIL 2019
New rules are coming into force on the 6th April. The CPR update can be found here. The most important from the point of view of anyone preparing for a hearing or trial on or after the 6th April is…
PRACTICE NOTE: BUSINESS AND PROPERTY COURTS IN MANCHESTER: NO BUNDLE NO HEARING
Below I reproduce a Practice Note issued Mr Justice Barling, Vice-Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster. It deals with a transition process up to the point where (later this year) parties can file all documents electronically in the Manchester…
ELECTRONIC BUNDLES, WITNESSES AND THE TRIAL PROCESS: A WARNING FROM THE COURTS: SORT THIS OUT OR THE COURT WILL GO BACK TO PAPER BUNDLES
There is a warning to anyone considering the use of electronic bundles at trial contained in the judgment of Mr Justice Birss in Invista Textiles (UK) Ltd & Anor v Botes & Ors [2019] EWHC 58 (Ch). THE CASE The judge…
EXPERT EVIDENCE: THE DANGERS OF JUMPING THE GUN: JUDGES DO NOT PASSIVELY ACQUIRE AN ENCYCLOPEDIC KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONTENTS OF BUNDLES BY OSMOSIS
There is so much for litigators to learn from the judgment of Master Thornett in Hall v Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust [2018] EWHC 3276 (QB) that I considered a series of blog posts. There are a number of central…
“EFFICIENCY” AND THE COURT SYSTEM 3: WANT TO BE A LAWYER? BUY YOURSELF A SELFIE STICK
In the third (and I suspect not the last) I want to set out a series of tweets which arose from the earlier posts on this topic. There were a series of tweets about the problems caused by courts losing…
“EFFICIENCY” AND THE COURT SYSTEM 2: A COMEDY OF ERRORS – YOU BE THE JUDGE
Yesterday I did a short post on court errors. I have been given permission to post another one. Again I will let the facts speak for themselves. A series of tweets from Mairead @m417ead 10 repeated with their permission. A SAD SAGA Trial 1…
ARE THE COURTS MANAGED IN A COMPETENT MANNER? YOU BE THE JUDGE…
A post earlier this week emphasised the need not to make pejorative statements in litigation, an American judge stated “the better practice is usually to lay out the facts and let the court reach its own conclusions.” That is all…
DEALING WITH THE ARCH ENEMY: EVERY LITIGATOR’S BUGBEAR
Some of the ideas for this blog come from the legal community on Twitter. This evening there was a discussion about the virtues of instructions that arrive in numerous emails versus the problematic (and usually broken) arch lever file. Last…
ADVOCACY: THE JUDGE’S VIEW SERIES 3 PART 6: MAY IT PLEASE YOU, MADAM: STORIES THAT EVERY LITIGATOR NEEDS TO KNOW…
In the sixth in this series we a looking at “May it please you Madam” by retired District Judge Neil Hickman. This is not designed as a guide for advocates, indeed the subtitle is “A little book of legal whimsy”. …
BUNDLES: CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE: CORE BUNDLE OF EVIDENCE DRAWS THANKS FROM THE TRIAL JUDGE
Most of the posts on bundles on this blog have been judges complaining about their quality or quantity. It is worthwhile looking at the observations of Mr Justice Martin Spencer today in Lesforis v Tolias [2018] EWHC 1225 (QB) (of which…
CIVIL PROCEDURE – BACK TO BASICS 7: BUNDLES: A CHANCE TO REVISIT “SEDLEY’S LAWS”
If there is a league for blogs with the most number of posts about bundles then Civil Litigation Brief may well be in the top 10 (sadly I suspect even in the top place). There is a reason for this….
A JUDGMENT ADJOURNING A TRIAL: THE CLAIMANT DID NOT KNOW WHETHER THE ACTION WAS NECESSARY; THE TRIAL BUNDLE DID NOT HAVE THE KEY DOCUMENT (AND MORE)
The short judgment of Mr Justice Holman in Matthews v Matthews & Anor [2018] EWHC 906 (Fam) looks like a family case. However it is an inheritance claim and contains some surprising revelations. KEY POINTS If you are asking a judge…
SKELETON ARGUMENTS: GET THE FONT SIZE RIGHT, AND THE LENGTH CORRECT: OR IT COULD COST YOU
The Administrative Court Clerks Users Group has sent out an email to many chambers in relation to the format of skeleton arguments. If you did not receive this it is worth reading. THE EMAIL: SIZE AND FONTS OF SKELETON ARGUMENTS…
LITIGANTS IN PERSON: SUBJECT TO THE SAME LAW AS EVERYBODY ELSE (BUT CASE MANAGEMENT DIRECTIONS MAY BE DIFFERENT)
The judgment in Reynard v Fox [2018] EWHC 443 (Ch) has already been written about in the legal press. Indeed it bristles with procedural issues, I want to concentrate on the issue of the treatment of litigants in person. THE…
SIR RUPERT JACKSON ON THE DAY OF HIS RETIREMENT: A REVIEW OF SOME JUDGMENTS ON PROCEDURE
It is well known that Sir Rupert Jackson retires on the 7th March. There are several reviews of the work Sir Rupert has done in re-shaping civil procedure. Here I want to look at a few of his judgments that…
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