WITNESS EVIDENCE WEDNESDAY: MAKING ASSERTIONS WITH NO CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE LEADS TO APPLICATION BEING REJECTED: THE EVIDENCE WAS SO “UNSPECIFIC” THAT IT FAILED TO PROVE THE APPLICANT’S CONCERNS
Here we look at the judge’s assessment of the evidence produced in support of an application that details of the applicant should not be disclosed. The judge held that the evidence was “unspecific” and was not corroborated. There was a…
COST BITES 368: THERE WERE NO “SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE” WHICH MEANT THE SOLICITOR’S BILL SHOULD BE ASSESSED OUT OF TIME: THERE IS NOTHING THAT CALLS FOR AN EXPLANATION
We are returning to the previous case to look at the second half of the Cost Judge’s decision. Having determined that the bills were statute bills the judge then considered whether there were “special circumstances” which would entitle the claimant…
COST BITES 367: THE SOLICITOR’S TERMS OF BUSINESS MEANT THAT BILLS RENDERED WERE EACH FINAL BILLS: THE TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT WERE “UNEQUIVOCALLY CLEAR”
The issue of whether “interim” bills rendered by solicitors were “statute” bills or “Chamberlain” bills is one that can have profound practical importance. If they are not statute bills then they may be open to a Solicitors Act assessment. If…
COURT ORDER PREVENTS CLAIMANTS FROM SENDING COURT DOCUMENTS TO CERTAIN PARTIES: THE CLAIMANT’S CONDUCT AMOUNTED TO AN ABUSE OF PROCESS OF THE COURT: THE DEROGATION FROM THE OPEN JUSTICE PRINCIPLE IS JUSTIFIED
Here we have an unusual order under CPR 31.22 (2) made in unusual circumstances. The claimant was precented from sending documents disclosed to in proceedings, and mentioned in open court, to various specified entities. It is a reminder of the…
THE APPELLATE JUDGE SHOULD NOT HAVE ALLOWED THE APPELLANTS TO RUN A NEW ISSUE : THE ABILITY TO PAY COSTS IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR AND WAS NOT CONSIDERED PROPERLY
Here we have a case where the appellants were, initially, allowed to argue a point that had not been argued in the court below. The Court of Appeal was clear in its view that the judge should not have allowed…
SERVICE POINTS 31: RELIEF FROM SANCTIONS GRANTED WHEN THE CLAIMANT FAILED TO APPLY IN TIME TO LIFT A STAY: A RARE SUCCESS ON A CLAIM FORM ISSUE
Here we are looking at an unusual set of facts in relation to service of the claim form, not least because it led to the issues being considered under the Denton criteria and is a (relatively rare) example of a…
THE CURRENT IMPORTANCE OF PLEADINGS 61: CLAIM FOR LIBEL WAS NOT PROPERLY PLEADED: “MUCH OF THIS ESSENTIAL DETAIL IS MISSING”
As we shall see there are very strict and precise requirements for pleading libel. There are numerous cases where the claimant has failed to get past the preliminary stages because of inadequate pleadings. We look at such a case here….
HALLUCINATIONS KEEP APPEARING IN THE REPORTS: TWO MORE EXAMPLES: COUNSEL AT FAULT IN BOTH…
We are looking at two more examples of “hallucinated” cases appearing in reported cases. In both cases it was counsel that was presenting the case. (In one case counsel was acting for himself). “The incident does, however, demonstrate vividly the…
PROVING THINGS 283: FAILING TO ESTABLISH A CLAIM FOR PROVISIONAL DAMAGES FOR ONE SET OF SYMPTOMS BUT ESTABLISHING IT IN ANOTHER
There are relatively few judgments in which the law and practice relating to provisional damages are considered in detail. We have such a case here. Further it is an example of the claimant failing to establish provisional damages in relation…
BACK TO BASICS MONDAY: THE NEED TO SERVE A NOTICE DISPUTING THE AUTHENTICITY OF A DOCUMENT: CPR 32.19
Here we look at a case that illustrates a very basic principle of civil procedure and evidence. It is a case where the claimant was, in essence, disputing the authenticity of several documents. However a basic procedural step had not…
THE CURRENT IMPORTANCE OF PLEADINGS 60: FAILING TO PLEAD A CLAIM FOR “LOSS OF CHANCE” LEADS TO TRIAL BEING RESTRICTED TO LIABILITY (AND THE CLAIMANT’S FACING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADDITIONAL COSTS)
Here we are looking at a failure to plead the claimant’s case as to damages fully. The claimant wanted to advance a claim for “loss of chance” in addition to seeking damages on the balance of probability. The judge rejected…
WHEN FUNDING AND CFA SCHEMES GO BADLY WRONG: A CASE THAT EXAMINES THE FALLOUT: £48 MILLION PAID OUT TO DATE … AND COUNTING
Here we have an important decision for litigators, litigation funders, legal insurers and clients. It is a challenge to summarise this case, but it is essential reading nevertheless. Here, as an initial view, is an overview of the funding scheme…
THROWBACK FRIDAY: MORE ABOUT LITIGATORS AND WORKLOAD (IT’S STILL NUTS): MARCH 2016
Here we look at a post from March 2016. It raised some comments at the time and followed on from a previous post we have looked at (which in turn led to several comments). It asks the, fairly fundamental, question…
NEW EDITION OF THE KING’S BENCH GUIDE: WHERE TO FIND IT AND THE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
A new edition of the King’s Bench Guide has been published. There are many useful points for litigators, in particular using CE-FILE, the new email addresses and some corrected links. “The Guide does not have the status of a Practice…
COST BITES 364: THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE CPR IS “PAY AS YOU GO”: JUDGE SUMMARILY ASSESSES COSTS OF SUMMARY JUDGMENT ISSUES AT £109,576 PLUS VAT
Here we are returning to a case we looked at yesterday. The judge granted the claimant summary judgment on certain issues. The defendants elected not to attend the application. The defendants were ordered to pay costs on the indemnity basis. …
CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE CORNER 7: CLAIM FOR PSYCHIATRIC INJURY AS A RESULT OF BEING PRESENT AT BIRTH WAS STRUCK OUT: TESTING THE PARAMETERS OF PAUL -v- WOLVERHAMPTON
This case represents an attempt to sidestep the decision in Paul v Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust [2024] UKSC 1. As we shall see it was not successful. This is one of the first, if not the first, reported case since…
PRACTICE NOTE FROM THE CHANCELLOR OF THE HIGH COURT: NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR SUMMARY ASSESSMENT FROM 14th APRIL 2026: COSTS SCHEDULES SHOULD BE FILED USING EXCEL SPREADSHEETS
NB THIS PRACTICE NOTE WAS REPLACED ON THE 14th APRIL – BEFORE IT WAS BROUGHT INTO FORCE – IT WAS REPLACED WITH A FURTHER NOTE, SEE THE BLOG POST HERE The Chancellor of the High Court has issued a Practice…
SOME PROCEDURAL POINTS ABOUT APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT: APPLYING FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT BEFORE SERVICE OF THE CLAIM FORM (AN ERROR THAT WAS FORGIVEABLE IN THIS CASE)
This case gives rise to some interesting procedural issues in relation to applications for summary judgment. The application for summary judgment was made prior to the proceedings being served. This was in breach of the rules, however on the facts…
WITNESS EVIDENCE WEDNESDAY II: A STATEMENT THAT WAS “BASED ON A COMBINATION OF SPECULATION AND DOUBLE, TRIPLE OR EVEN MORE REMOTE HEARSAY”
We have looked at many cases in which judges have been critical of the way in which witness statements are drafted. This case is one of the most clear and extreme examples. The defendant (a firm of solicitors) failed to…
WITNESS EVIDENCE WEDNESDAY: YOU ARE DEFINITELY NOT TELLING LIES – BUT I STILL DON’T BELIEVE YOU: CREDIBILITY IS NOT NECESSARILY THE SAME AS HONESTY…
One of the most difficult things to explain to clients and witnesses is that they may well believe they are telling the truth. They may well not be liars. However this does not mean that the court will accept their…
DECISION TODAY IN RELATION TO RECOVERABILITY AND ASSESSMENT OF FEES CHARGED BY MEDICAL REPORTING ORGANISATIONS: ANOTHER ROUND IN A VERY LONG WAR…
We are looking at another round in the ongoing “costs of medical reporting organisations” series of battles. As the judge anticipated this may well not be the last round. Here I provide a brief summary of the conclusions. A more…
PROVING THINGS 282: THE INJURED CLAIMANT ADDUCED NO EVIDENCE OF NEGLIGENCE (SOMETHING ABOUT PLEADINGS TOO…)
Here we look at a Privy Council decision in a personal injury case. The claimant lost at first instance, the defendant having elected to call no evidence. What is interesting about this case is the constant motif in the judgment…
COST BITES 363: A SUMMARY ASSESSMENT OF A HEAVY COMMERCIAL APPLICATION TO STRIKE OUT IN PRACTICE: £87,698 REDUCED TO £70,158.64 (BUT NOT TO £39,460): “COMPARATIVE SPEND CAN BE A CROSS-CHECK; IT IS NOT DETERMINATIVE”
We are continuing with the practice of looking at summary assessments. These receive relatively little attention, however they can play a large part in the economics of litigation. Here we see some interesting arguments in relation to hourly rates, the…
ENFORCEMENT BULLETIN 3: THE COUNTY COURT HAD JURISDICTION TO ENFORCE AN ORDER FOR SALE OF MORE THAN £30,000
Does the County Court have jurisdiction to enforce an order for sale when the sums in dispute are more than £30,000? That was the issue considered here. The case is another reminder (if one were needed) about the dangers and…
EXPERT WATCH 41: THE COURT OF APPEAL REFUSES TO OVERTURN A DECISION WHERE THE “WRONG” TYPE OF JOINT EXPERT WAS INSTRUCTED
This is an unusual case where, after the event, a party to the litigation argued that the court had relied on the “wrong” type of expert evidence. An educational psychologist had been instructed as a joint expert whereas what was…
CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE CORNER 6: CLAIMANT FAILS TO ESTABLISH CAUSATION: STATISTICAL RISK REDUCTION DOES NOT SATISFY THE BURDEN OF PROOF
Establishing causation is a key element of many clinical negligence cases. Here we have a case where the issue of causation was put in two ways: the “but for” test and alternatively the “indivisible injury” test. The claimant did not…
COSTS INFORMATION AND THE OMBUDSMAN 6: YOU SAID IT WOULD COST £2,500 – £3,000 – I’VE PAID YOU £16,000: THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING ESTIMATES AS TO DISBURSEMENTS
This decision emphasises the fact that when giving costs estimates the solicitor should also do their best to estimate the costs of disbursements in addition to their own costs. Here the solicitor mentioned that there would be additional costs if…
BACK TO BASICS MONDAY: THE IMPORTANCE OF SERVING THE PARTICULARS OF CLAIM WITHIN THE TIME FOR SERVICE OF THE CLAIM FORM: THE “BEAR TRAP” IN WAITING
The back to basics point today is based on a recent case which shows the importance of serving the particulars of claim within the four month period allowed for service of the claim form. The claimant served the particulars three…
EXPERT WATCH 40: THE TRIAL JUDGE DID NOT ACCEPT THE EVIDENCE OF THE JOINTLY INSTRUCTED WITNESS: “THE DUTY OF THE COURT IS TO APPLY THE BURDEN OF PROOF AND TO FIND THE FACTS HAVING REGARD TO ALL THE EVIDENCE IN THE CASE…”
This is a case where the judge did not accept the views of a jointly instructed expert as to the authenticity of a document that was central to the case. The expert did not have access to all the relevant…
RELIEF FROM SANCTIONS REFUSED AFTER CLAIMANT FAILS TO COMPLY WITH PEREMPTORY ORDER FOR DISCLOSURE: “THE CONSEQUENCE IS THAT THE PROCEEDINGS ARE STRUCK OUT”
Here we look at the “second half” of the decision considered in the previous post. Having rejected the claimant’s submissions that breaches of a peremptory order should be considered under CPR 3.10 the judge then went on to consider the…
THE BREACH OF A PEREMPTORY ORDER IS A SERIOUS MATTER: IT CANNOT SIMPLY BE DEALT WITH UNDER CPR 3.10
Here we look at an interesting, but eventually futile, about the approach the court should take when a party was in breach of a peremptory order. The claimant in breach argued that the court should consider the matter under CPR…
WITNESS EVIDENCE AND RELIABILITY: THE WITNESS WHO USED “SMART GLASSES” TO ASSIST IN GIVING ANSWERS TO CROSS-EXAMINATION
Here we have a case where the judge made clear findings that a witness had been using “smart glasses” when giving answers to cross-examination in court. It is another example of how technology can be mis-used during the trial process…
THROWBACK FRIDAY: PLEADINGS SHOULD CONTAIN FACTS NOT ARGUMENT OR RHETORIC: (MARCH 2015)
The issues raised in the Current Importance of Pleadings series are not new. We see points as to pleading raised in March 2015. Here the judge considered a pleading that “leaves much to be desired.” “The overall result of these…
COST BITES 362: WHETHER A BREAKDOWN SHOULD BE PROVIDED ON A DISBURSEMENT: READ THE JUDGMENT
An earlier post related to this case which deals with the question of whether a party should provide a breakdown of an invoice from a translator. Ben Williams KC has kindly provided me with a copy of the judgment. “In my judgment,…
APPLICATION TO ADDUCE NEW WITNESS STATEMENT ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE TRIAL: DENTON PRINCIPLES APPLIED
A party who serves a witness statement late always has problems. A litigant who tries to introduce a new witness on the morning of the trial has major problems. We have such an application here. Unsurprisingly it did not fare…
COSTS INFORMATION AND THE OMBUDSMAN 5: DISCOURAGING THE USE OF A BTE POLICY (THIS IS NOT GOOD NEWS FOR THE SOLICITOR…)
We continue with our examination of the Legal Ombudsman’s decisions about costs. The issue here was whether the solicitors were correct to discourage the use of an BTE policy and act privately taking out ATE insurance. “It is expected by…
CAN A DEFENDANT MAKE A PART 36 OFFER THAT ATTEMPTS TO BIND THE CLAIMANT IN RELATION TO MATTERS NOT PLEADED?
Here we have an interesting, and important, point about CPR Part 36. Firstly could a defendant establish that a claimant had not beaten a Part 36 offer when that offer dealt with matters that were not part of the pleaded…
COSTS INFORMATION AND THE OMBUDSMAN 4: GOING OUTSIDE THE LEVEL OF LEGAL INSURANCE COVER
Here we are looking at a decision in relation to legal expenses insurance. The solicitor had gone outside the cover of the insurance but not informed the client. The Ombudsman’s conclusions on this issue are not a great surprise… “The…
WITNESS EVIDENCE WEDNESDAY: WHEN A CLIENT BLAMES THEIR SOLICITOR FOR ISSUES IN THE WITNESS STATEMENT: SOME EXAMPLES CONSIDERED
Occasionally I give in-house presentations on drafting witness statements. I always emphasise the importance of protecting the client from over-enthusiastic drafting by their lawyer to make sure that the witness statement is accurate and compliant. I then ask what steps…
WHEN CAN A JUDGE CHANGE THEIR MIND? THE PRINCIPLES CONSIDERED: AN “AMBUSH” LEADS TO A POINT BEING RECONSIDERED
Here we look at a case where the judge had given a decision on an issue but, on consideration, decided that their initial view may be wrong. The judgment sets out the relevant case law and principles in some detail….
COSTS INFORMATION AND THE OMBUDSMAN 3: FAILURE TO CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF FUNDING
We are continuing with our examination of Legal Ombudsman decisions on issues relating to costs. Here there was an finding of inadequate service because of a failure to consider whether the client had legal insurance that cover the costs involved….
SERVICE POINTS 30 : A PROCEDURAL DEBACLE: THE DEFENDANT HAD LEFT IT FAR TOO LATE TO TAKE A POINT AS TO SERVICE OF THE CLAIM FORM
Many cases relating to service of the claim form involve a procedural debacle. It is rare that they present a “dogs breakfast” such as this. The defendant took a point that the claim had been issued out of time, that…
THE QUESTION OF THE CLAIMANT’S CAPACITY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH AS A PRELIMINARY ISSUE: THE COURT SHOULD APPOINT A LITIGATION FRIEND – THIS DOES NOT PREJUDICE THE DEFENDANT’S POSITION
Here we have a case where a defendant appealed against a decision it agreed with. The judge found that the claimant had capacity and did not require a Litigation Friend. However the defendant’s issue was with the very decision to…
BACK TO BASICS MONDAY: EXHIBITS: A REMINDER OF THE RULES, WHERE THINGS GO WRONG AND HOW TO AVOID PROBLEMS
The “exhibiting” of documents to witness statements and affidavits is common. It is surprising how common it is for the exhibit, and the witness statement, to fail to comply with the rules. Here we look at the rules relating to…
COSTS INFORMATION AND THE OMBUDSMAN 2: POOR COSTS INFORMATION: NOT INFORMING THE CLIENT ABOUT COSTS UNTIL TWO YEARS INTO THE RETAINER…
We are taking a close look at several Legal Ombudsman decisions in relation to costs, more particularly information about costs in litigation. Here the firm of solicitors did not provide any information about potential costs for a year after being…
COST BITES 361: THE STEPS A CLAIMANT SHOULD TAKE IF THEY WISH TO RECOVER PRE-ALLOCATION COSTS ON THE BASIS THAT THE CASE WOULD HAVE PROCEEDED IN THE FAST TRACK
I am grateful to Andrew Hogan for sending me a copy of this decision which relates to pre-allocation costs in housing cases. It deals with the question of how the court should address pre-allocation costs where a housing disrepair claim…
THROWBACK FRIDAY: LITIGATION: WHAT IS AN APPROPRIATE CASE LOAD – AND IS IT IMPORTANT? (MARCH 2016)
Here is a post from a decade ago with an issue that remains just as relevant today. What is an appropriate case load for litigators? How do we find the balance between economic survival and overloading, stress and the major…
COSTS INFORMATION AND THE OMBUDSMAN 1 : WHILST COSTS CAN BE DIFFICULT TO PREDICT THE FIRM SHOULD HAVE PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE BASED ON THEIR PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE…
We continue with our examination of recent Legal Ombudsman decisions in relation to providing estimates of costs in particular. Here we have a finding that the information given as to the costs of litigation was inadequate. “Whilst I appreciate…
THE DEFENDANTS’ APPLICATION WAS AN ABUSE OF PROCESS: THE DANGERS OF TRYING SIMILAR THINGS A SECOND TIME AROUND: “THE HENDERSON AND HUNTER PRINCIPLES APPLY TO INTERLOCUTORY HEARINGS AS MUCH AS TO FINAL HEARINGS”
This is an interesting case on the relevance of the “Henderson” principles to applications, in this case for reverse summary judgment/to strike out the claim. A similar application had been made much earlier in the litigation. The judge found for…
EXPERT WATCH 39: WHEN THE HOME SECRETARY DID NOT CHALLENGE EXPERT EVIDENCE SHE CANNOT BE THAT SURPRISED WHEN THE COURT ACCEPTS IT
We are looking at another case where a party failed to challenge expert evidence. The Court of Appeal was clear in its view that if fault lay anywhere it was with the appellant’s failure to challenge the expert evidence that…
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