Another amendment introduced by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 4) Rules 2021 is an addition to the definition section of CPR Part 2 to make it clear that the prohibition on “tape recording” extends to any other device that can be…
There is a new batch of rules coming into force on the 1st October 2021, introduced by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 4) Rules 2021. Here we look at the rules relating to interim payments. WHAT THE CHANGES DO…
So far this year there have been over half a dozen cases relating to mis-service of the claim form reported on this blog. In many of the cases the claimant’s difficulties appear to be virtually self-inflicted. Several of the cases…
There are some similarities between the case of Serene Construction Ltd v Salata and Associates Ltd & Ors [2021] EWHC 2433 (Ch) and the previous post in this series. In both cases the claimant’s case related to the valuation of…
After a consultation process the Ministry of Justice has produced “Court and Tribunal Fees The Government response to the consultation on ‘Increasing selected court fees and Help with Fees income thresholds by inflation’ IN A NUTSHELL Court fees will be…
We have looked before at the judgment of HHJ Hodge (sitting as a High Court judge) in Ahuja Investments Ltd v Victorygame Ltd & Anor (CONTRACT – Purchase of commercial investment property) [2021] EWHC 2382 (Ch). It is worth noting that…
If ever a case illustrated the dangers of not appreciating the rules as to service of the claim form. Dzekova -v- Thomas Eggar LLP [2015] EWHC 2600 (QB) which we have looked briefly before. It reveals a sorry tale of…
In Farnham-Oliver v RM Educational Resources Ltd [2021] EWHC 2418 (QB) Master Dagnall rejected an argument that personal injury proceedings, brought after employment proceedings had been settled, were an abuse of process. The settlement agreement had specifically stated that it…
The judgment of HHJ Hodge (sitting as a High Court judge) in Ahuja Investments Ltd v Victorygame Ltd & Anor (CONTRACT – Purchase of commercial investment property) [2021] EWHC 2382 (Ch) is one of interest to anyone involved in litigation…
In Paramount Shopfitting Company Ltd v Rix [2021] EWCA Civ 1172 the Court of Appeal rejected a defendant’s appeal in relation to the assessment of damages awarded to a widow. The widow’s husband had run a successful business. The fact that…
NB IN Mary-Ann Stojalowski v Bristol City Council [2024] EWCC 30 HHJ Blohm KC held that this case was “wrongly decided”, see the discussion here. I am grateful to Alex Bagnall from Total Legal Solutions for sending me a copy…
Sometimes it is interesting to see what happens in summary assessments. Very few are reported and looking at those that are can help litigators get a “feel” for the process. In this respect of the judgment of HHJ Matthews (sitting…
In Fraine v Foy [2021] EWHC 2302 (Ch) Master Clark refused an application to rely on expert evidence that was served the day before the hearing. The expert evidence was not relevant, not admissible and the application made far too…
In Jones & Anor v Lydon & Ors [2021] EWHC 2322 (Ch) Sir Anthony Mann refused an application for late amendment of the pleadings. A Note explaining the nature of the case cannot be used as a substitute for a…
In R5 Capital Ltd v Mitheridge Capital Management LLP [2021] EWHC 2316 (Ch) Deputy Master Raeburn highlighted the fact that the rules do not allow a Reply to be, or to appear to be, contradictory to the case set out…
In the judgment today in Aderounmu v Colvin [2021 EWHC 2293 (QB) Master Cook found that the claimant was not under a disability and the limitation period for bringing a personal injury action had expired. The Master exercised the discretion…
In Silber v London Borough of Barnet (HOUSING – CIVIL PENALTY – case struck out by FTT for failure to pay the hearing fee – criteria for relief from sanctions) [2021] UKUT 206 (LC) the Upper Tribunal allowed an appeal…
I am grateful to Gemma Blackburn from DWF Law for bringing my attention to the judgment of Costs Judge Haworth in Harford v Music Store Professional UK/DV247 Ltd [2021] EWHC B17 (Costs). “I am satisfied that in this case…
The decision of the Court of Appeal in Heathfield International LLC v Axiom Stone (London) Ltd & Anor [2021] EWCA Civ 1242 is about security for costs. The “mysteries” as to why the action was being brought and defended, played…
In Michael v I E & D Hurford Ltd (t/a Rainbow) [2021] EWHC 2318 (QB) Mrs Justice Stacey refused the defendant’s appeal in a case where the trial judge had found the claimant not to be fundamentally dishonest. The claimant…
In Z (No.2) (Schedule 1: Further Legal Costs Funding Order; Further Interim Financial Provision) [2021] EWFC 72 Mr Justice Cobb carried out what was, essentially, a cost budgeting exercise in a family case. There are important observations about the need…
The judgment of HHJ Kelly (sitting as a judge of the High Court) in A Company, Re [2021] EWHC 2289 (Ch) concerns some intricate provisions of the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 Ultimately, however it was a matter of…
Lorna Cole was called to the Bar in 1951 and was head of chambers at Hull for many years, she sadly died earlier this week. Richard Wright QC, Leader of the North-Eastern Circuit, sent out a tribute to her today…
The judgment of HHJ Cadwallader in Escalate Law Ltd & Anor v Kennedy & Anor [2021] EWHC 2232 (Ch) is an example of legal funders and solicitors falling out with their clients. The judge upheld the decision to withdraw from…
For the second time in two days I am reporting on cases where judges made the point that issues relating to evidence should have been raised before trial. Yesterday Mr Justice Zacaroli held that issues in relation to disclosure should…
An interesting issue as to proof and evidence arose in the decision of Mr Justice Zacaroli in Smith v Dryden & Ors [2021] EWHC 2277 (IPEC). The claimant failed to establish that a song had been “copied”. There are also…
The judgment of Richard Hermer QC, sitting as a High Court Judge, in Wilkins v University Hospital North Midlands NHS Trust [2021] EWHC 2164 (QB) deals with several important elements of limitation in the context of clinical negligence. Firstly the…
The judgment of Mr Justice William Davis in Qatar Investment And Projects Holding Co & Anor v Phoenix Ancient Art S.A. [2021] EWHC 2243 (QB) adds to the many, many, cases on this blog that deal with the dangers relating…
In Raydens Ltd v Cole [2021] EWHC B14 (Costs) Costs Judge Leonard found that an increase in hourly rates meant that “special circumstances” established in a Solicitors Act assessment. “I do not believe that anyone in her position could reasonably…
In HR v Aneurin Bevan University Local Health Board [2021] EWHC 2195 (Admin) Mrs Justice Foster rejected an argument that the defendant should be liable to pay the costs incurred when there was a dispute in relation to the identity…
There appears to be no end of cases where claimants (and occasionally defendants) come to grief over issues relating to service of the claim form. A knowledge of the principles, and the reasons people often get it wrong, is essential…
In Van Zuylen v Whiston-Dew & Anor [2021] EWHC 2219 (Ch) Mr Nicholas Thompsell, sitting as a High Court Judge, considered the relevant criteria the court applies when a party fails to attend trial. The judgment also considers the relevant…
Alongside solicitor Hilary Wetherell I am presenting a day long course: Fatal Accidents: Law, Practice, Procedure and Compassion 2021. It is an online course on the 12th November 2021. Booking details are available here. THE COURSE This one day virtual…
The judgment of Clare Ambrose (sitting as a High Court judge) in Falcon Trident Shipping Ltd v Levant Shipping Ltd [2021] EWHC 2204 (Comm) held that a settlement agreed drafted after acceptance of a Part 36 offer displaced the provisions…
In Sheard -v- Cao Tri Do [2021] EWHC 2166 (QB) HHJ Robinson, sitting as a Judge of the High Court, had to consider competing witness evidence in the context of a medical negligence action. It is an example of the…
In Hodgson v Creation Consumer Finance Ltd [2021] EWHC 2167 (Comm) (29 July 2021) HHJ Pearce, sitting as a High Court Judge, made some observations about the problems caused by the pagination of electronic bundles. We have the familar problem…
This is the time of year when many of us go on, and return from, holiday. Even if people are not globe trotting a few weeks (or even days) away can lead to stress. This is an appropriate time to…
The judgment of Mrs Justice O’Farrell in Jalla & Ors v Royal Dutch Shell Plc & Ors [2021] EWHC 2118 (TCC) shows the dangers of assuming that an extension of time will be given. The judge found that an agreement…
The judgment of Mr Justice Nicklin in London Borough of Ealing v Persons Unknown [2021] EWHC 2132 (QB) serves as a stark reminder that there is a duty to comply with the rules relating to service of the claim form,…
I am grateful to barrister James Miller for sending me a copy of the decision of Deputy Master Friston in Jimenez -v- Esure Services Limited (30th July 2021) a copy of which is available here. Jimenz -v- Esure THE CASE…
The Civil Justice Council has produced its final report on guideline hourly rates. This follows a consultation process following the interim report in January 2021. THE REPORT The report is available here. THE RECOMMENDED RATES … Enjoying this post?…
The adequacy of witness evidence was considered in detail in the judgment of Deputy Master Marsh in Dukeries Healthcare Ltd v Bay Trust International Ltd & Ors [2021] EWHC 2086 (Ch). It shows the danger of setting out a case…
Two posts on the “Yetanotherbloggingbarrister” blog are worth reading on the, sometimes difficult, question of dress for pupil barristers. I provide the links here. This provides a chance to look again at guidance given more widely. Not only for pupils…
The decision of Deputy Master Grimshaw in ABC & Ors v The London Borough of Lambeth [2021] EWHC 2057 (QB) is, I think, the first to consider the question of the date of issue in the Electronic Working System. It…
I am grateful to barrister James Miller for sending me a copy of the decision of District Judge Rouin in Thandi -v- Esure Services Ltd (9th June 2021). Thandi v Esure – Approved Judgment – 09.06.21 V1 The claimant…
If you are ever asked the question as to what the similarities are between dancers at Spearmint Rhino and employees of Members of Parliament then there is only one appropriate answer. They have both applied for, and been refused, permission…
We see a classic mistake as to service of the claim form in the judgment of Mr Justice Fraser in LSREF 3 Tiger Falkirk Ltd I S.a.r.l & Anor v Paragon Building Consultancy Ltd [2021] EWHC 2063 (TCC). The claimant…
EXTENSIONS OF TIME AND THE DENTON CRITERIA: WHEN IT IS UNSATISFACTORY FOR AN APPELLANT TO GO HUNTING
In Secretary of State for Work and Pensions & Anor v Hughes & Ors [2021] EWCA Civ 1093 the Court of Appeal were, shall we say, slightly unimpressed by an argument that a judge should have applied the Denton test…
In J v A South Wales Local Authority [2021] EWCA Civ 1102 the Court of Appeal upheld an earlier decision refusing a defendant permission to resile from an admission. “There is no doubt that the checklist at paragraph 7.2 is…



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