Citations: [2001] EWCA Civ 1213 Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 32 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Appeal from – Grobbelaar v Sun Newspapers Ltd CA 9-Jul-1999 With the new Civil Procedure Rules, it was no longer correct that a court could not exclude evidence which was relevant, on the grounds that its probative value … Continue reading Grobbelaar v News Group Newspapers and Another: CA 18 Jan 2001
With the new Civil Procedure Rules, it was no longer correct that a court could not exclude evidence which was relevant, on the grounds that its probative value was outweighed by its prejudicial effect. The court now has full power and discretion to make such orders. ‘The just resolution of this case depends on the … Continue reading Grobbelaar v Sun Newspapers Ltd: CA 9 Jul 1999
By an application notice the First Defendant, Syleta Monica Susan Samuel, applies for an order that a probate claim brought by her sister, Merlina Jacqueline Samuel, be struck out as an abuse of process pursuant to CPR r 3.4(2)(b). Shortly stated, the basis for the application is that Merlina was a party to a probate … Continue reading Samuel v Samuel and Others: ChD 17 Dec 2018
In each of three cases, the former defendants sought leave to bring claims for contempt of court in respect of what it said were fraudulent claims by the respondents. The defendants argued that a party had first to go to the Attorney General. Held: ‘Notwithstanding the language of Rules 32.14 and 31.23 and, in particular, … Continue reading Barnes (T/A Pool Motors) v Seabrook and Others: Admn 23 Jul 2010
Dr M had successfully challenged her dismissal and recovered damages for unfair dismissal and race discrimination. In the interim, Her employer HA had reported the dismissal to the respondent who continued their proceedings despite the decision in her favour. The GMC now said that the availability of judicial review excluded her right to commence proceedings … Continue reading Michalak v General Medical Council and Others: SC 1 Nov 2017
The claimant challenged a production order made by the magistrates in respect of journalists’ material. They complained that the application had used secret evidence not disclosed to it, and that the judge had not given adequate reasons to support the decision. The poice were investigating an offence under the 1989 Act. Held: It was common … Continue reading British Sky Broadcasting Ltd, Regina (on The Application of) v The Central Criminal Court and Another: Admn 21 Dec 2011
Citations: [1998] EWCA Civ 1842 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See also – McPhilemy v Times Newspapers Ltd and Others (2) CA 26-May-1999 The new Civil Procedure Rules did not change the circumstances where the Court of Appeal would interfere with a first instance decision, but would apply the new rules on that decision. Very … Continue reading McPhilemy v Times Newspapers Limited; Clarke and Neil (1): CA 25 Nov 1998
The claimant appealed a decision to admit in evidence a tape recording, taken by an enquiry agent of the defendant who had entered her house unlawfully. Held: The situation asked judges to reconcile the irreconcilable. Courts should be reluctant to create rules which would deny the admission of genuine evidence. Where a party behaved in … Continue reading Jones v University of Warwick: CA 4 Feb 2003
Whether, where an Appellant’s Notice is filed with the Court of Appeal electronically in accordance with ‘Electronic Working Pilot Scheme’ introduced by Practice Direction 51O (‘PD 51O’), it may be filed at any time up to midnight on the last day of the permitted period or must, either generally or at least in the case … Continue reading Microsoft Ireland Operations Ltd and Others v JJH Enterprises Ltd (Re Electronic Filing of Appellant’s Notice): CA 11 Nov 2022
Defendant’s application for summary judgment pursuant to CPR 24.2 and/or strike out of the claim pursuant to CPR 3.4(a) on the basis that there are no reasonable grounds for bringing the claim and /or (b) that it is an abuse of process. The claim is pleaded as one for restitution /damages in the sum of … Continue reading Ogedegbe v Simplyhealth People Ltd: KBD 17 Nov 2022
The defendant sought permission to bring contempt proceedings against former directors of the claimant company, saying that by means of false evidence they had secured an arbitration verdict. Held: A reckless disregard for the truth or falsity of a statement made and attested by a statement of truth but false was capable of supporting a … Continue reading Berry Piling Systems Ltd v Sheer Projects Ltd: TCC 28 Feb 2013
The second defendant insurers appealed against a refusal by the court to allow it to withdraw an admission of liability in respect of a road traffic accident. The insurer said that the fact that it now saw the accident as fraudulent was an exceptional circumstance such as to allow the change. Held: The appeal failed. … Continue reading Dar v Vonsak and Another: QBD 17 Dec 2012
The defendant appealed against an anti-social behaviour order. He had been a journalist, and began a private newsletter and campaign alleging amongst other things corruption in the police. He complained that his article 10 rights had been infringed. Held: The order was quashed. Pitchford LJ said: ‘that separate issues arise out of these blogs. In … Continue reading Perry v Chief Constable of Humberside Police: Admn 18 Oct 2012
The court considered the institution of proceedings for contempt of court based upon an allegation that a document filed in court proceedings and supported by a statement of truth was false. In this case the defendant argued that the first claimant had grossly exaggerated his injuries. The second claimant had come to admit the falsity … Continue reading Nield and Another v Loveday and Another: Admn 13 Jul 2011
The parties had had a part trial, and settled. The Gardian Newspaper now applied for disclosure of various documents to support a proposed news story. The parties had disputed payment to the claimant of commissions on the sales of military vehicles by the defendant to an overseas government. The disclosure was opposed by the defendants. … Continue reading Chan v Alvis Vehicles Ltd and Another: ChD 8 Dec 2004
The defendant appealed a summary judgement on the claimant’s claim with respect to her alleged disclosure of details Miss Campbell’s private life. The claimant sought an action for account of profits for breach of the terms of a contract of service. The defendant claimed that a violent assault by the claimant on her was a … Continue reading Campbell v Frisbee: ChD 14 Mar 2002
W appealed against the striking out as an abuse of its request for a declaration that the tenants of the flats at Dolphin Square were entitled to acquire its freehold from the respondents. They had previously served and withdrawn a notice claiming the right. Held: The tenants’ appeal was allowed. CPR 38.7 did not operate … Continue reading Westbrook Dolphin Square Ltd v Friends Life Ltd: CA 18 May 2012
The defendants appealed against an order for pre-action disclosure. Judges: Tuckey LJ, Jacob LJ, Moore-Bick LJ Citations: [2007] EWCA Civ 50 Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 31.16 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Litigation Practice Updated: 22 October 2022; Ref: scu.248323
In the course of the hearing some of the claimant’s allegations were dropped. Newspapers having taken an interest in the case sought disclosure of the full document. Held: The parts of the statements not relied upon included allegations against third parties who would have no opportunity of reply, and which allegations were not pursued. The … Continue reading Cox v Jones: ChD 6 May 2004
There had been proceedings as to the misuse of confidential information. X, a non-party, now sought disclosure of papers used in that case. The case had been settled by means of a Tomlin Schedule, and that, subject to further order, non-parties might not obtain documents on the court file. Held: The applicant X was entitled … Continue reading ABC Ltd v Y: ChD 6 Dec 2010
The claimant sued for libel in respect of the publication in this jurisdiction of allegations of fabricating evidence, conspiracy to murder, and the bribery and corruption of the prosecutor and judges in criminal proceedings. The defendant now applied to set aside service of proceedings on her outside the jurisdiction.As to CPR 23.11, Warby J said: … Continue reading Sloutsker v Romanova: QBD 5 Mar 2015
(From the Court of Appeal of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago) The consequences which a court in Trinidad and Tobago operating under the Civil Procedure Rules in that jurisdiction may impose where a party fails to file a written skeleton argument in proper time in accordance with case management directions set by the court. … Continue reading Crick and Another v Brown: PC 30 Nov 2020
Defendant’s application for security for costs Judges: Moulder J Citations: [2019] EWHC 325 (Comm) Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 25.12 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Costs Updated: 23 August 2022; Ref: scu.634043
The defendants appealed an award of costs on an indemnity basis against them in the favour of a legally aided claimant. Held: Indemnity costs were often intended to indicate disapproval of a party’s behaviour in an action, and were awarded in several and discretionary circumstances. It was not an objection of principle to say that … Continue reading Brawley v Marczynski and Another: CA 21 Oct 2002
The various insured defendants had been driven in the insured vehicles by a non-insured driver. Suffering injury at the negligence of the driver, they recovered variously damages. Their insurance companies sought recovery of the sums paid from their respective insureds under the policy terms, section 151 and under European law. Appeals and cross appeals were … Continue reading Churchill Insurance Company Ltd v Wilkinson and Others: CA 19 May 2010
The parties had been involved in protracted litigation where a freezing order had been made to support a claim which was eventually dismissed. The claimant sought to have set aside an earlier order made ordering him to pay costs on failing to have the order discharged. Held: The order had been made under the former … Continue reading Deg-Deutsche Investitions – Undentwicklungs Gesellschaft Gmbh v Thomas Koshy: ChD 13 Dec 2004
The newspaper applied for leave to access documents referred to but not released during the course of extradition proceedings in open court. Held: The application was to be allowed. Though extradition proceedings were not governed by the Civil Procedure Rules, wider principles still applied. The open justice principle is a constitutional principle to be found … Continue reading Guardian News and Media Ltd, Regina (on The Application of) v City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court: CA 3 Apr 2012
The claimant journalist sought disclosure of papers acquired by the respondent in its conduct of enquiries into the charitable Mariam appeal. The Commission referred to an absolute exemption under section 32(2) of the 2000 Act, saying that the exemption continued until the papers were destroyed, or for 20 years under the 1958 Act. Held: The … Continue reading Kennedy v The Charity Commission: SC 26 Mar 2014
Acting on guidance, the parties representatives and the tribunal had assumed that part of the award relating to loss of future earnings would not be taxable. The question now was whether the tribunal had power of its own motion to review its decision. Held: ‘There is a difference between saying that a case to which … Continue reading Williams v Ferrosan Ltd: EAT 5 Mar 2004
Coulson J considered RSC Order 52 to decide whether he had jurisdiction to hear a complaint of contempt of court arising from statements filed in County Court proceedings and said to be false. Held: He did have jurisdiction: ‘At the outset of the trial, I raised with the parties my concern as to jurisdiction. This … Continue reading Walton v Kirk: QBD 3 Apr 2009
The claimant police officer complained of an alleged defamation in an article published by the defendant. The defendant wished to obtain information from the IPCC to show that they were investigating the matter as a credible issue. The court considered applications relating to the disclosure of private materials given to the Independent Police Complaints Commission … Continue reading Flood v Times Newspapers Ltd and others: QBD 5 Mar 2009
The claimant sought an order for the defendant to be pursued for contempt of court having filed a statement of truth which was known to be false. Judges: Pumfrey J Citations: [2004] EWHC 1192 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 32.14 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Malgar Ltd v R E Leach … Continue reading Kabushiki Kaisha Sony Computer Entertainment Inc (t/a Sony Computer Entertainment Inc) v Ball and Others: ChD 17 May 2004
An application was made under Part 3.1(7) to vary an earlier final order made by the judge after a trial, on the application of the wife of one of the defendants whose potential interest in funds subject to the judge’s order had been overlooked by him when making it, in her absence. Held: The application … Continue reading Independent Trustee Services Ltd v GP Noble Trustees Ltd and Others: ChD 14 Dec 2010
Proceedings which invoked the jurisdiction of the High Court to grant declarations as to the best interests of incapacitated adults were civil proceedings to which the Civil Procedure Rules applied. Although not assigned to any division, having regard to their nature and the issues raised within them, such proceedings were more suitable for hearing in … Continue reading Practice Note (Family Division: Incapacitated adults): FD 2 Jan 2002
‘can a defendant plead a comprehensive defence to allegations of breach (which relies on matters not expressly addressed by the particulars of claim), and raise a separate case on causation (which it says would defeat the claimant’s claim in any event), and then seek to rely upon CPR 17.4(2) to deny the claimant the opportunity … Continue reading Mulalley and Co Ltd v Martlet Homes Ltd: CA 24 Jan 2022
The claimant had offered to accept damages subject to a 50% finding of contributory negligence. The defendant did not accept. That was the exact order made. The claimant appealed refusal to award her costs on the standard basis to the time for acceptance of the offer and thereafter on an indemnity basis. Held: The judge … Continue reading Read v Edmed: QBD 8 Dec 2004
Disruption of court proceedings – whether contempt in face of court. Judges: Coulson LJ, Spencer J Citations: [2019] EWHC 1483 (Admin), [2019] WLR(D) 332 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 81 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Contempt of Court, Civil Procedure Rules Updated: 11 July 2022; Ref: scu.639230
The defendant had sought an order requiring the claimant to remove from a witness statement elements referring to without prejudice discussions between the parties before litigation began. Held: The defendant’s appeal succeeded. The test for proximity of the negotiations to the litigation was not one of time, but of the closeness of the connection between … Continue reading Framlington Group Ltd and Another v Barnetson: CA 24 May 2007
The applicants complained that they had been made subject to non-derogating control orders as suspected terrorists, but that the failure to inform them of the allegations or evidence against them was unfair and infringed their human rights. The material was withheld in the interests of national security. Held: The failure to supply the defendants with … Continue reading Secretary of State for the Home Department v AF AN and AE (No 3): HL 10 Jun 2009
(Court of Appeal of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (St Christopher and Nevis) The Board considered the procedure for the deployment of medical expert evidence in personal injury litigation in St Kitts and Nevis. Specifically, the issue is whether the special provisions about the attaching of medical reports to a statement of claim for personal … Continue reading Bergan v Evans (St Christopher and Nevis): PC 1 Jul 2019
The defendants appealed a decision that they had no sufficient reason for not attending court on the day of the trial. Held: The fact that the defendants had a continuing commercial relationship with the claimants was not enough to justify an inference that they should be aware of proceedings served at a former address. In … Continue reading Estate Acquisition and Development Ltd v Wiltshire and Another: CA 4 May 2006
The defendant company resisted disclosure of documents saying that they had been supplied by the Financial Services Authority in confidence, and that to disclose them would be an offence. Held: The information had already in principle been known to the defendants before the FSA investigation, and were not protected from disclosure. Judges: David Richards J … Continue reading Real Estate Opportunities Ltd v Aberdeen Asset Managers Jersey Ltd and others: ChD 15 Dec 2006
The Defendants were accountants who had been sued through their partnership in KPMG. They had been granted a order for their costs. They sought payment for the time they had spent prersonally in preparing their defences. Held: As professionals there was no reason to distinguish the cost to the defendants of resisting the claims in … Continue reading Sisu Capital Fund Ltd and others v Tucker and others: 28 Oct 2005
The client challenged his opponent’s solicitors bill of costs, saying that the other side had not been given an estimate of costs. The solicitor acted on several matters for the client and had not given a formal estmate. Held: The absence of the estimate should not deprive the solicitor of payment for the work undertaken … Continue reading Garbutt and Another v Edwards and Another: CA 27 Oct 2005
Appeal from a decision of Morland J, who granted the defendants summary judgment under Civil Procedure Rule 24(2)(a)(2), finding that the claimant, Mr Spencer, had no real prospect of succeeding on his claim. Held: Buxton LJ said: ‘Bearing in mind the emphasis placed on the right to jury trial in section 69 [of the Senior … Continue reading Spencer v Sillitoe and Another: CA 22 Oct 2002
The taxpayer sought to challenge in Europe the ruling by the respondents that the mobile phones they supplied did not meet the criteria to be zero-rated for VAT. A decision would be unlikely before 2006. They sought judicial review now of the refusal of the commissioners to make an interim payment. Held: There exists in … Continue reading Regina on the Application of Teleos Plc and others v Commissioners of Customs and Excise: CA 2 Mar 2005
Tenants occupied land next to land which was to be developed after compulsory acquisition. The tenants and the landlords asserted a right of light over the land, and sought an injunction to prevent the development. The developer denied that any right of light had been acquired. The sky contour diagrams projected that the reductions in … Continue reading Midtown Ltd v City of London Real Property Company Ltd: ChD 20 Jan 2005
There was a boundary dispute. The judge in the County Court had made an error. Counsel had offered to apply to amend the order under the slip rule, and therefore the judge had refused leave to appeal. Held: This was an application for leave to apply for a second appeal, and such appeals only very … Continue reading Markos v Goodfellow and Barke and Barke: CA 26 Jul 2001
The claimant sought to begin proceedings to renew his business tenancy, but the proceedings were issued in the wrong name. He sought to amend the proceedings to substitute the correct defendant, but that application was out of time. Held: Proceedings under the 1954 Act were not within the proceedings listed by CPR 19.5 since the … Continue reading Parsons and Another v George and Another: CA 13 Jul 2004
The claimant had issued proceedings in time, but then the limitation period expired before it was served, and in the meantime the limitation period had expired. The defendant appealed against an automatic extension of time for service granted to the claimant. Held: The Rules should generally be interpreted without reference to case law under the … Continue reading Hashtroodi v Hancock: CA 27 May 2004
The provisions of the Civil Procedure Rules as to costs in Family division proceedings did not replace entirely the old rules after April 26, 1999, and the Leary case was not superceded. The requirement for summary assessment of costs for hearings less than a day did not abrogate the power to make such an assessment … Continue reading Q v Q (Family proceedings: Costs order): FD 21 Jun 2002
When looking at whether to lift a stay on an action imposed before the coming into effect of the Civil Procedure Rules, the court should look at each of the items listed in the rule, and should then stand back and look at the overall needs of justice. Judges: Lord Justice Clarke Lord Phillips Of … Continue reading Flaxman-Binns v Lincolnshire County Council: CA 5 Apr 2004
The word ‘private’ in rule 39.2 means the same as ‘secret’. Lord Justice Mance said: ‘It may be equated with the old ‘in camera’ procedure, rather than the old ‘in chambers’ procedure.’ Privacy and confidentiality are features long assumed to be implicit in parties’ choice to arbitrate in England. Judges: Mance VC, Carnwath, Mance LJJ … Continue reading Department of Economic Policy and Development of City of Moscow and Another v Bankers Trust Company and Another: CA 25 Mar 2004
The claimant sought damages for defamation. He feared arrest and extradition to the US if he came to England, and was granted an order allowing him to give evidence by video link. The defendant appealed that order. Held: There was no absolute rule which would allow the order made. The judge had considered that if … Continue reading Polanski v Conde Nast Publications Limited: CA 11 Nov 2003
Statements had been obtained from a witness by the claimants, but not included amongst the evidence. At a point during the trial, a defendant asked for and was given leave to include the evidence. He now appealed leave given to the claimant to cross examine the witness having taken the statement themselves. Held: One purpose … Continue reading Douglas and Others v Hello Ltd and others: CA 3 Mar 2003
The claimant appealed against a decision of the Court of Appeal quashing the judgement in his favour for damages for defamation. Held: The Court of Appeal was not able to quash a jury verdict as perverse, and the appeal succeeded. An appellate court could not substitute its own verdict on the facts for that of … Continue reading Grobbelaar v News Group Newspapers Ltd and Another: HL 24 Oct 2002
The claimant appealed against an order striking out her claim. Held: The right to respect for private life is qualified by the right for both parties to have a just trial of the issues between them; and it has to be borne in mind that it was the claimant who invoked the right to such … Continue reading De Keyser Limited v Wilson: EAT 20 Mar 2001
It was wrong to deprive a party of his costs because only of his failure to serve an appropriate schedule of costs at least 24 hours before the summary assessment hearing. The court should consider first, a brief adjournment, and second whether the case should be stood over for a detailed assessment, and third whether … Continue reading MacDonald v Taree Holdings Ltd: ChD 28 Dec 2000
The claimant sought damages alleging defamation. The judge ordered certain elements of the case to be heard first, and others, if necessary later. Although the case had been begun under the old rules, the new civil procedure regime gave the judge much wider powers of management, and defamation cases were notoriously expensive and lengthy and … Continue reading GKR Karate (UK) Limited v Porch, Yorkshire Post Newspaper, Holmes: QBD 17 Jan 2000
Ms Halabi applied to annul her bankruptcy order, made for non payment of her rates. She applied within approximately 6 months of her adjudication. Her bankrupt estate was solvent but illiquid. She had not previously appreciated that she had sufficient equity in her property (over andpound;70k) to borrow sufficient to discharge her debt. Held: The … Continue reading Halabi v London Borough of Camden: ChD 14 Feb 2008
The district auditor had issued a certificate under the 1982 Act surcharging the appellant councillors in the sum of 106,103, pounds being the amount of a loss incurred or deficiency caused, as the auditor found, by their wilful misconduct. Held: An aggrieved objector to local government spending should pursue his rights under the Act and … Continue reading Lloyd v McMahon: HL 12 Mar 1987
Where the claimant was not out of time to bring an appeal, or he retained the right of appeal, or the works proposed involved were not new, and no amendment or substitute of a new claim was proposed, the court should exercise its discretion to amend the claim form so that an application for permission … Continue reading Thurrock Borough Council v Secretary of State for the Enviroment, Transport and The Regions ex parte Terry Holding: CA 13 Dec 2000
The applicant had been detained pending extradition to the United States on charges of fraud. He said the evidence would not have been sufficient to justify his committal for trial. Held: The Francis case did not establish that the 1984 Act did not apply to extradition procceedings, and they might also be admissible under the … Continue reading In Re Levin; Regina v Governor of Brixton Prison, Ex parte Levin: HL 10 Apr 1997
When asking whether the time for appeal against an arbitrator’s award should be extended, the court should look at several circumstances, including the length of the delay; whether the party was acting reasonably in all the circumstances in delaying; whether the other party had contributed to the delay; whether other party would suffer irremediable prejudice … Continue reading Aoot Kalmneft v Glencore International AG and Another: QBD 27 Jul 2001
The third defendant sought an order that the costs of the claim for an injunction against him, once it was discontinued on the second day of trial, should be assessed on an indemnity basis. Held: The order should be made. The power of the court under Rule 38.6 to ‘order otherwise’ clearly includes power, in … Continue reading Atlantic Bar and Grill Ltd v Posthouse Hotels Ltd: 2000
The defendant had applied for an order limiting the number of witnesses sought to be called by the claimant (43). Held: The power to prohibit the calling of witnesses under CPR r 32.2(3) sat towards the more extreme end of the court’s powers and was a power to be considered after less intrusive measures had … Continue reading Maclennan v Morgan Sindall (Infrastructure) Plc: QBD 17 Dec 2013
Under the CPR, a company could now appear at court in person and without a legal representative. The old rule has not been carried forward. However the old rule had been clear and in a case under those rules, the order that the company was not properly before the court was properly made. Citations: Times … Continue reading R H Tomlinson (Trowbridge) Ltd v Secretary of State for the Environment and Another: CA 31 Aug 1999
Where an action was commenced before the new rules came into effect, but an application to strike out an action was issued and decided after they came into effect, that application could not be decided under the old rules. The new rules applied fundamentally different tests, and these tests had to be applied.Assessment of respective … Continue reading Axa Insurance Co Ltd v Swire Fraser Ltd: CA 9 Dec 1999
The new Civil Procedure Rules were ultra vires and invalid insofar as they purported to remove any right of a solicitor’s client to assert his right of confidence as against his solicitor. The solicitor was therefore unable in this case to defend himself against a wasted costs order, but the court could allow for the … Continue reading General Mediterranean Holdings SA v Patel and Another: QBD 19 Jul 1999
The local authority had commenced care proceedings, alleging abuse. After lengthy proceedings, of seven men and two grandparents, all but one were exonerated. The grandparents had not been entitled to legal aid, and had had to mortgage their house for legal costs. Despite being exonerated, the judge followed the normal practice of not awarding costs … Continue reading In re T (Children): SC 25 Jul 2012
At the conclusion of the evidence, the claimant sought to amend her claim to include an alternative factual basis of liability based not on her own evidence but on that of one of the police officers with whom she had been struggling in a car. Held: The grounds for refusing permission were not sufficient to … Continue reading Kelly v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police: CA 2001
The respondent appealed against a finding that the provision which made a loan agreement completely invalid for lack of compliance with the 1974 Act was itself invalid under the Human Rights Act since it deprived the respondent lender of its property rights. It was also argued that it was not possible to make a declaration … Continue reading Wilson v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry; Wilson v First County Trust Ltd (No 2): HL 10 Jul 2003
The court considered applications for relief from sanction under CPR 3.1(7). Held: An application under CPR 3.1(7) usually requires a change of circumstances. Considerations of finality, the undesirability of allowing litigants to have two bites at the cherry and the need to avoid undermining the concept of appeal all required a principled curtailment of an … Continue reading Tibbles v SIG Plc (T/A Asphaltic Roofing Supplies): CA 26 Apr 2012
The case had been decide on the basis of the papers after the employer had failed to submit a response. It now appealed against a refusal to allow them to be heard as to the assessment of damages. Held: The appeal succeeded. The tribunal should apply the practice which apply in standard civil claims. Judges: … Continue reading Office Equipment Systems Ltd v Hughes: CA 1 Aug 2018
Stuart-Smith LJ rationalised the possible conflict between Part 24 and the practice direction to Part 24 in its original form by saying that the correct view of the effect of the practice direction is to be gleaned from the heading to the paragraph which reads ‘the court’s approach’. It indicates no more than examples of … Continue reading Taylor and others v Midland Bank Trust Company Limited: CA 21 Jul 1999
A court has an inherent power to injunct a party not to institute or continue proceedings abroad, where they appear intended purely to harass another party in proceedings here. The two actions here were based upon the ‘same contractual relationship’ and concerned the ‘same subject matter’. This is not limited to cases of exclusive jurisdiction … Continue reading Turner v Grovit and others: CA 28 May 1999
Where a court could no longer grant an extension of time for service of proceedings under rule 7.6, a court could, in appropriate circumstances, achieve the desired result by dispensing with service under rule 6.9. Here the parties had long been in negotiation, and the receiving party knew entirely of the document which was to … Continue reading Infantino v Maclean: QBD 20 Jul 2001
Application by the defendant by notice challenging the court’s jurisdiction to try the claimant’s claim for damages for professional negligence. Judges: Chief Master Shuman Citations: [2022] EWHC 441 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 6.32 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Jurisdiction Updated: 07 April 2022; Ref: scu.674475
Presumption of Damage in Defamation is rebuttable The defendant complained that the presumption in English law that the victim of a libel had suffered damage was incompatible with his right to a fair trial. They said the statements complained of were repetitions of statements made by US authorities. The claimant had asserted that no more … Continue reading Dow Jones and Co Inc v Jameel: CA 3 Feb 2005
Nothing in the new rules prevented the court from allowing cross examination of witnesses in judicial review cases, though the procedure does not lend itself to cases with a high degree of factual debate. The court has a wide discretion, and the Wilkinson case seems to imply this. This applies notwithstanding that Part 54 appeared … Continue reading Regina (G) v Ealing London Borough Council and Others: QBD 28 Feb 2002
The Court was asked whether a Limited Liability Partnership (‘LLP’) of solicitors, which is a party to litigation and acts as its own legal representative in the proceedings, is a litigant in person within CPR 46 and so can only recover the level of costs allowed to litigants in person under CPR 46.5(2) and PD46 … Continue reading Halborg v EMW Law Llp: CA 23 Jun 2017
‘The issue in this appeal is whether a defendant joined to proceedings by way of amendment outside the limitation period, and sued in the alternative to the existing defendant, has been added to the claim as a new party or has been substituted for the existing defendant, for the purposes of the Civil Procedure Rules … Continue reading Godfrey Morgan Solicitors (A Firm) v Armes: CA 2 May 2017
The appellant, liquidator of two South African companies, had made a successful without notice application for an asset freezing order. He believed that the defendants had stripped the companies of substantial assets. The order was set aside for want of jurisdiction, because it had not been ancillary to any proceedings which had even been formulated … Continue reading Fourie v Le Roux and others: HL 24 Jan 2007
Rehearing/Review – Little Difference on Appeal The appellant asked the Court to reverse a decision on the facts reached in the lower court. Held: The appeal failed (Majority decision). The court’s approach should be the same whether the case was dealt with as a rehearing or as a review. Tanfern was limited to appeals from … Continue reading Assicurazioni Generali Spa v Arab Insurance Group (BSC): CA 13 Nov 2002
The claimant had served an asset freezing order on the bank in respect of one of its customers. The bank paid out on a cheque inadvertently as to the order. The Commissioners claimed against the bank in negligence. The bank denied any duty of care. Held: The bank’s appeal succeeded. The bank owed a duty … Continue reading HM Customs and Excise v Barclays Bank Plc: HL 21 Jun 2006
The applicant was a solicitor employed by a company in Belgium. He later resigned claiming unfair dismissal, saying he had been pressed to become involved in unlawful activities. The defendants sought to challenge the jurisdiction of the English Tribunal system. The defendants had begun procedures in Spain for conciliation. The claimant had obtained an injunction … Continue reading Turner v Grovit and others: HL 13 Dec 2001
The claimants alleged negligence causing them personal injury and other losses arising from pollution from mining operations of the defendants in Zambia. The company denied jurisdiction. In the Court of Appeal the defendants’ appeals were dismissed. Held: The appeals failed save that the UK was not the proper jurisdiction to bring the case. The claim … Continue reading Vedanta Resources Plc and Another v Lungowe and Others: SC 10 Apr 2019
1. Social policy – Framework agreement on fixed-term work concluded by ETUC, UNICE and CEEP – Directive 1999/70 – Workers doing the same work – ‘Same work’ – Definition – Workers in a similar situation – Criteria for assessment – Nature of the work, training requirements and working conditions – Powers of review of the … Continue reading Autorita per l’energia elettrica e il gas v Bertazzi (Order 2): ECJ 7 Mar 2013
The court considered whether it had jurisdiction to apply the Rules to extend time to appeal against discharge of an extradition request. The notice of appeal was not filed (or served) within seven days. Held: Latham LJ said: ‘I acknowledge the force of this argument. But it begs the question as to what power the … Continue reading Vilnius City, the District Court of v Barcys: Admn 22 Mar 2007
Request for order imposing conditions on appeal. Rimer,MvFarlane LJJ [2014] EWCA Civ 532 Bailii Civil Procedure Rules 52.9(1)(c) England and Wales Litigation Practice Updated: 19 January 2022; Ref: scu.566846
The deceased had committed suicide in prison. His family felt that the risk should have been known to the prison authorities, and that they had failed to guard against that risk. The coroner had requested an explanatory note from the jury. Held: The jury should indeed have been given opportunity to explain their verdict: ‘By … Continue reading Middleton, Regina (on the Application of) v Coroner for the Western District of Somerset: HL 11 Mar 2004
Power to call in is administrative in nature The powers of the Secretary of State to call in a planning application for his decision, and certain other planning powers, were essentially an administrative power, and not a judicial one, and therefore it was not a breach of the applicants’ rights to a fair hearing before … Continue reading Regina (Holding and Barnes plc) v Secretary of State for Environment Transport and the Regions; Regina (Alconbury Developments Ltd and Others) v Same and Others: HL 9 May 2001
Reconsideration of a dismissal order dated 19 February 2016 dismissing an appellant’s notice for failure to comply with the Civil Procedure Rules Practice Direction 52C. Meacher M [2016] EWCA Civ 380 Bailii England and Wales Litigation Practice Updated: 14 January 2022; Ref: scu.563246
The claimant was injured in a car accident in France. The defendant insurer said that the quantification of damages was to be according to French law and the calculation of interest also. The claimant said that English law applied. Held: The assessment of damages is a procedural matter, and is governed by the law of … Continue reading Knight v Axa Assurances: QBD 24 Jul 2009
Application for pre-action disclosure made pursuant to section 33(2) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 and part 31.16 of the Civil Procedure Rules. Richard Spearman QC HHJ [2016] EWHC 376 (Ch) Bailii England and Wales Litigation Practice Updated: 10 January 2022; Ref: scu.560320
The parties were competing companies. The claimant sought to usePre-action disclosure procedures after proceedings had already been issued. Held: ‘the Claimants have made out a clear and strong case for the exercise of the Court’s discretion to order pre-action disclosure in their favour, and I so order.’ Moloney QC HHJ [2016] EWHC 297 (QB) Bailii … Continue reading Anglia Research Services Ltd and Another v Finders Genealogists Ltd and Another: QBD 17 Feb 2016
The claimant sought damages alleging inter alia fraud by the defendant in a company sale between the parties. The defendant now sought to have set aside the service on him in Lebanon, saying that The English court was not the forum coveniens. He also said that the claim was out of time. Held: The application … Continue reading Abela and Others v Baadarani and Another: ChD 28 Jan 2011
Appeal by the claimants from the order of Simon J by which he ordered on summary judgment applications by the defendants that (1) the claimants are not entitled to rely on section 32(1)(b) of the Limitation Act 1980; and the claims are time barred pursuant to sections 2 and 9 of the 1980 Act insofar … Continue reading Arcadia Group Brands Ltd and Others v Visa Inc and Others: CA 5 Aug 2015
The tenant had been secure but had his tenancy had been reduced to an insecure demoted tenancy after he was accused of anti-social behaviour. He had not himself been accused of any misbehaviour, but it was said that he should have controlled his family members. The county court had been unwilling to allow any challenge … Continue reading Manchester City Council v Pinnock: SC 3 Nov 2010
Short issue as to the requirements for valid ‘service’ of a completion notice so as to bring a newly completed building within liability for non-domestic rates. The notice had been served by email where no statutory authority existed for this. Held: The LA’s appeal succeeded. ‘Against the background of the detailed scheme established by or … Continue reading UKI (Kingsway) Ltd v Westminster City Council: SC 17 Dec 2018
