Lord Denning MR said that the Rules Committee ‘can make rules for regulating and prescribing the procedure and practice of the Court, but cannot alter the rules of evidence.’ Public policy protects against disclosure any documents which relate to . .
This judgment deals with two points of principle which arose in the directions hearing in this claim: (1) whether the court has jurisdiction under CPR Pt 64 to make a so-called ‘put up or shut up order’ in respect of an intimated breach of trust claim; (2) if so, the nature of that jurisdiction, and, … Continue reading Parsons and Another v Reid and Another: ChD 8 Apr 2022
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: ComC 27 Jul 2001
No Judicial Review of Decisions of Private Body Despite the wide range of its powers, the disciplinary committee of the Jockey Club remains a domestic tribunal. Judicial review is not available to a member. The relationship is in contract between the club and its member. Sir Thomas Bingham MR said: ‘No serious racecourse management, owner, … Continue reading Regina v Disciplinary Committee of the Jockey Club, ex parte Aga Khan: CA 4 Dec 1992
The defendant appealed against interim costs orders made in the claim against it for defamation. Held: The general power of cost capping measures available to courts were available also in defamation proceedings. The claimant was being represented under a conditional fee agreement. The court considered that the amount of costs being incurred served to act … Continue reading King v Telegraph Group Ltd: CA 18 May 2004
The defendant’s witness statement referred to a letter written to him by the defendant’s solicitor. The claimant appealed refusal of an order for its disclosure. Held: The appeal failed. The letter was protected by legal professional privilege, and its mention in a statement did not automatically amount to waiver of that privilege. The rules referred … Continue reading Expandable Ltd and Another v Rubin: CA 11 Feb 2008
The parties had submitted costs estimates which proved later to be quite inadequate. Held: It was a central principle of the Civil Procedure Rules that costs should be controlled. Solicitors should file costs estimates not only at the allocation questionnaire stage but also at the listing questionnaire. The practice direction was framed in mandatory terms. … Continue reading Leigh v Michelin Tyre Plc: CA 8 Dec 2003
The claimant sought to enforce a judgment debt against a foreign resident company, and for this purpose to examine or have examined a director who lived abroad. The defendant said that the rules gave no such power and they did, the power was outside the rule-maker’s power. Held: Even though the rule-making power is wide … Continue reading Masri v Consolidated Contractors International Co Sal and Others: HL 30 Jul 2009
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
Appeal against refusal of order for pre-action disclosure. Judges: Eady J Citations: [2012] EWHC 2753 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 31.16 Citing: Cited – In re Guardian News and Media Ltd and Others; HM Treasury v Ahmed and Others SC 27-Jan-2010 Proceedings had been brought to challenge the validity of Orders in Council … Continue reading A and Another v Somerset County Council: QBD 11 Oct 2012
A party had been ordered to pay into court as a condition of an application to set aside a judgment, a substantial sum in respect of past costs, and also as security for costs to be incurred. The defendant appealed. Held: The judge had not differentiated between the two. On an application for security for … Continue reading CIBC Mellon Trust Company and others v Mora Hotel Corp Nv and Another: CA 19 Nov 2002
A part 36 offer can be withdrawn at any time before it is accepted or expires. The rules can not force an offer to be left open. Clear words would have been required within the rules to impose such an obligation. The actual words referred to offers ‘expressed’ to be open for 21 days, but … Continue reading Scammell and Others v Dicker: CA 21 Dec 2000
Orders were sought to strike out part of the defendants defence of justification to an allegation of defamation. Held: Where there remains the possibility of a jury trial, it becomes especially important to identify the issues the jurors are to resolve and the facts they are invited to find. Judges: Eady J Citations: [2009] EWHC … Continue reading Prince Radu of Hohenzollern v Houston and Another (No 4): QBD 4 Mar 2009
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 extensive pleadings in defamation cases should now be otiose. In the modern era of witness statements, extensive and fully particularised pleadings are no … Continue reading McPhilemy v Times Newspapers Ltd and Others (2): CA 26 May 1999
The defendant, having been sued for defamation by the claimant social worker pleaded justification and now sought third party disclosure against the hospital involved and against the police of documents which might support the stories it had published. Judges: Eady J Citations: [2011] EWHC 1364 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 31.17 Defamation, Civil … Continue reading Henry v News Group Newspapers Ltd and Others: QBD 26 May 2011
The mortgagor sought to appeal against a mortgagee’s possession order. The Court of Appeal considered the interaction between an application under CPR rule 39.3 to set aside a default judgment and an application for permission to appeal under CPR Pt 52. Held: The dismissal of an application under CPR Rule 39.3 does not, of itself, … Continue reading Bank of Scotland v Pereira and Others: CA 9 Mar 2011
Applications for judicial review in relation to alcoholic goods detained by the Defendants on grounds of a suspicion that duty may not have been paid in respect of them.Sales J said: ‘In my view, there is a clear reason why Parliament wished to create a distinct power of detention, namely to allow for the goods … Continue reading Eastenders Cash and Carry Plc and Another v Revenue and Customs: Admn 4 Nov 2010
The court considered an appeal against an order allowing an amendment outside the limitation period which would Judges: Lloyd, Wilson, Gross LJJ Citations: [2010] EWCA Civ 1153, [2011] Bus LR 504, [2011] BPIR 158, [2011] 1 WLR 1364 Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 19.5, Limitation Act 1980 35 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited … Continue reading Irwin and Another v Lynch and Another: CA 6 Oct 2010
The defendant had made an offer including an offer that each party bear their own costs. A later action led to an order on better terms, and the claimant sought costs on an indemnity basis. Held: The rules were generally incompatible with offers which included costs. Their purpose was to direct costs after a case … Continue reading Mitchell and Others v James and Others: CA 12 Jul 2002
Application for partial or total disallowance of the Claimants’ costs pursuant to rule 44.11(1)(b) of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (CPR); the Defendants allege ‘gross misconduct before and during the proceedings’. Citations: [2019] EWHC B2 (Costs) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Costs Updated: 19 August 2022; Ref: scu.641805
The court was asked whether the applicant’s entitlement to a statutory sickness allowance, which was a contributory scheme but for which she had not registered due to illness, was a civil right within the meaning of article 6. Held: The applicant claimed a right ‘flowing from specific rules laid down by the legislation in force’ … Continue reading Feldbrugge v The Netherlands: ECHR 29 May 1986
The defendant appealed against the admission of evidence on the respondent’s application for a football bannng order. A witness statement was based on intelligence reports which meant that the witness could not be effectively examined by he defence. Held: The magistrates should have proceeded by admitting the evidence, and an appeal court would have been … Continue reading Newman v Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis: Admn 25 Mar 2009
The defendant in the main action sought a third party costs order. Judges: Morgan J Citations: [2008] EWHC 192 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 48.2 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Thomson v Berkhamsted Collegiate School QBD 2-Oct-2009 Costs were to be sought against third parties to the action. A pupil … Continue reading PR Records Ltd v Vinyl 2000 Limited and others: ChD 15 Jan 2008
The respondent brought in laws restricting marriages between persons subject to immigration control, requiring those seeking non Church of England marriages to first obtain a certificate from the defendant that the marriage was approved. The applicants said this was discriminatory and infringed their human rights. Held: Legislation which prevented marriages of convenience between aliens and … Continue reading Baiai and Others, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: Admn 10 Apr 2006
PROCEDURE – hearing in public or private – VAT Tribunals Rules 1986 r 24(1) – assessment to recover allegedly over-claimed input tax – VATA 1994 ss 25, 26, VAT Regs 1995, reg 29, Sixth Directive art 18 – Human Rights Convention arts 6 and 8 – appellant a sole practitioner solicitor – application for hearing … Continue reading A Practitioner v Customs and Excise: VDT 12 Dec 2003
Judges: Akenhead J Citations: [2008] EWHC 123 (TCC) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Civil Procedure Rules Updated: 13 July 2022; Ref: scu.264015
Date of service of claim form sent from England to defendant in Scotland. Judges: Sharp, Asplin LJJ, Sir Rupert Jackson Citations: [2019] EWCA Civ 648, [2019] WLR(D) 282 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 6.14 7.5 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Civil Procedure Rules Updated: 11 July 2022; Ref: scu.638808
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
To fulfil the requirement in CPR Part 16.2.1(a) ‘it is necessary at least to give some idea or indication of the duty which it is alleged the defendant has failed to perform.’ Judges: Cooke J Citations: [2007] EWHC 642 (Comm) Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 16.2.1.a Cited by: Cited – Berezovsky v Abramovich ComC … Continue reading Nomura International Plc v Granada Group Ltd and others: ComC 23 Mar 2007
The court considered the consequences of delay in applications for judicial review: ‘It is important that those parties, and indeed the public generally, should be able to proceed on the basis that the decision is valid and can be relied on, and that they can plan their lives and make personal and business decisions accordingly.’ … Continue reading Hardy and others v Pembrokeshire County Council and Another: CA 19 Jul 2006
The claimant sought damages after being severely injured in a road traffic accident in Australia caused by the defendant. The defendant denied that the court had jurisdiction to permit service out of the jurisdiction. The claimant said that the issues were not as to liability but as to quantum. Held: The defendant’s application failed. The … Continue reading Cooley v Ramsey: QBD 1 Feb 2008
The parties had disputed payments for subcontracting work on a major project. The matter had been referred to arbitration, and the claimants now appealed refusal of leave to appeal the adjudicator’s award. Held: The dispute was complex and substantial. Nevertheless, the adjudicator ‘not only took the initiative in ascertaining the facts but also applied his … Continue reading Carillion Construction Ltd v Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd: CA 16 Nov 2005
Appeal from refusal of total disallowance of costs on assessment after very long delay. Judges: Warren J Citations: [2005] EWHC 1643 (Ch), [2005] 4 Costs LR 688 Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 44.14 47 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Costs Updated: 01 July 2022; Ref: scu.229013
Citations: [2004] EWHC 358 (Ch), [2004] EWHC 3588 (Ch) Links: Bailii, Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 19.10 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Litigation Practice Updated: 30 June 2022; Ref: scu.226164
The court found no reason why the courts should apportion costs on a case in accordance with the degree of fault found in a collision giving rise to a claim. Judges: Aikens J Citations: [2008] EWHC 1880 (Admlty), Times 20-Oct-2008 Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 44.3(2)(a) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Transport, Costs, Civil Procedure … Continue reading Maritime Inc (Krysia) v Intership Ltd: Adct 1 Aug 2008
The claimant sought his profit share from a partnership. The defendant complained that the claimant had for some time put his assets beyond reach, and obtained an order for security for costs. The claimant now appealed. Held: The appeal failed. It was not necessary for a defendant in such an action to show that the … Continue reading Harris v Wallis: ChD 10 Mar 2006
The appellant sought permission to appeal out of time against a costs order. The claimant said he had submitted a notice of appeal, but the court had no trace of it, and the cheque had not been encashed. Held: Looking at the merits of the appeal, the argument now sought to be used had been … Continue reading Jobson v Record and Another: CA 17 Aug 2005
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
Letters of request. The claimants brought an action for fraudulent misrepresentation. The documents disclosed by the defendants indicated there had been criminal conduct including bribery of the Azeri authorities. The Director of the SFO served notices under section 2 of the CJA 1987 requiring both parties to produce the relevant documents to the SFO. The … Continue reading Marlwood Commercial Inc v Kozeny: CA 25 Jun 2004
The court considered steps to be taken after a very late withdrawal of an appeal. Judges: Peter Gibson, Laws, Longmore LJJ Citations: [2004] EWCA Civ 87 Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 3.1 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Tasyurdu v Secretary of State for the Home Department CA 24-Mar-2003 The case was listed … Continue reading Yell Ltd v Garton: CA 2 Feb 2004
Judges: Lindsay J Citations: [2004] EWHC 63 (Ch), HCO100644 Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 44 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Ford v GKR Construction and Others CA 22-Oct-1999 Where a party wished to put the other at risk of payment of costs by the making of an offer, it was vital that … Continue reading Douglas and others v Hello! Ltd and others: ChD 23 Jan 2004
The claimant had recovered damages, but was ordered to pay costs since she had recovered less than was paid in. She appealed. Held: There were anomalies in the system with regard to the recoverable social security benefits. The sums recoverable were not reduced in line with any reduction for contributory negligence, benefits could be recovered … Continue reading Williams v Devon County Council: CA 18 Mar 2003
ECFI 1 Far from enjoying the same rights to a fair hearing as those which individuals against whom a procedure has been instituted are recognised as having, concerned parties, within the meaning of Article 93(2) of the Treaty, have only the right to be involved in the administrative procedure to the extent appropriate in the … Continue reading British Airways and others and British Midland Airways v Commission: ECFI 25 Jun 1998
The claimant appealed against an order striking out his claim for personal injuries. The claim had been issued in time, but not served. An extension of time was granted, and the notice sent by first class post the day before that period expired. The defendant had claimed that the rules deemed service on the second … Continue reading Godwin v Swindon Borough Council: CA 10 Oct 2001
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 formalities of committal proceedings are to be strictly observed, but a breach of the formalities may be overlooked if it does not affect the justice of the case.Lord Woolf MR considered the discretion given to a court to commit for contempt: ‘Like any other discretion, the discretion provided by the statutory provisions, must be … Continue reading Nicholls v Nicholls: CA 20 Dec 1996
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 defendant sought judicial review of his court-martial and of the confirming officers. He said the court should have heard that he committed the offence whist intixicated after taking an anti-malarial drug. The court dd not explain why it had found no causal connection beween the treatment and the offence. Held: There is no over-riding … Continue reading Regina v Ministry of Defence ex parte Colin James Murray: QBD 15 Dec 1997
The Civil Procedure Rules have not changed the common law rules which say that an interlocutory order for costs could not be varied by another judge sitting at first instance, except only in exceptional circumstances where it appeared for example that fraud might be involved. To do so would be for the court to act … Continue reading Commissioners of Customs and Excise v Anchor Foods Ltd (No 3): ChD 8 Jul 1999
An ‘unless’ order had been agreed between the parties, but the order had not allowed for what would happen if either party sought permission to appeal. The respondent argued that the claimant could not have an extension of time pending the outcome of his application for permission, saying that the court was now functus officio. … Continue reading Omega Engineering Inc v Omega SA: ChD 20 May 2003
The parties in ancillary relief proceedings sought orders for discovery. H had been to the wife’s flat surreptitiously on five occasions, and taken photocopies of so many documents obtained by him in the course of those visits (but returned after photocopying) that the photocopies themselves would now ‘fill a crate’, as the judge was told. … Continue reading Hildebrand v Hildebrand: 1992
The court was asked ‘what it means in a purported CPR Part 36 offer to say that the offer is ‘open for 21 days’. On one view it means that the offer is not open after 21 days. On another view it means, in its context, that the offer will not be withdrawn for 21 … Continue reading C v D: CA 27 May 2011
The claimants proposed pre-action discovery which was resisted. Held: A purpose of pre-action disclosure is to assist those who need disclosure as a vital step in deciding whether to litigate at all or to provide a vital ingredient in the pleading of their case. The rules required first that disclosure would be desirable in the … Continue reading Black v Sumitomo Corporation: CA 3 Dec 2001
Disclosure was refused of documents to support an argument of invalidity. Judges: Birss J Citations: [2016] WLRD 244 Links: WLRD Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 31.5(7) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Intellectual Property Updated: 08 May 2022; Ref: scu.564961
It was arguable that a defendant in defamation proceedings could pray in aid in his claim for qualified privilege circumstances not known to him at the time of the publication: ‘there was a real, if problematic, prospect of success.’May LJ said: ‘the existence or otherwise of qualified privilege is to be judged in all the … Continue reading GKR Karate (UK) Ltd v Yorkshire Post Newspapers Ltd (No1): CA 21 Jan 2000
The father had applied for a summary order requiring the return of the daughter to Israel. The Court was asked to consider whether the Court of Appeal, having determined that such an order could not be granted under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction 1980 (‘the Convention’), was nonetheless entitled … Continue reading In re NY (A Child) (Reunite International and others intervening): SC 30 Oct 2019
English proceedings were issued to claim against a partnership. Simultaneously proceedings were issued in Greece, but the Greek proceedings were served on the London parties first. The plaintiffs in Greece asked the English court to issue a stay of the English proceedings, they having issued first in Greece. The stay was granted. There had been … Continue reading Phillips and Another v Robin James Symes and Robin Symes Ltd: ChD 9 Jul 2001
The court refused to make an order for a payment of interim costs when the substantive claim for costs remained to be heard. The claimant had accepted a payment in entitling it to its costs, but now sought an interim award before the full costs could be assessed. Any rule allowing a judge to make … Continue reading Dyson Appliances Limited v Hoover Limited (No 4): PatC 18 Feb 2003
The tenancy had been an introductory tenancy. The council sought to terminate the tenancy, delivering the papers to the court before the anniversary. Held: The proceedings were not begun under the section until the court issued the claim form. That had occurred outside the twelve month period, and the trial tenancy had expired and the … Continue reading Salford City Council v Garner: CA 27 Feb 2004
The claimant was a litigant in person who said that he had misunderstood the relevant provision of the CPR. Maurice Kay LJ said: ‘I accept that there may be facts and circumstances in relation to a litigant in person which may go to an assessment of promptness but, in my judgment they will only operate … Continue reading Tinkler and Another v Elliott: CA 10 Oct 2012
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
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
This appeal concerns CPR 44.16, which deals (as its heading indicates) with ‘Exceptions to one-way costs shifting where permission required’ Judges: Lewison, Beatson, Newey LJJ Citations: [2017] EWCA Civ 1696 Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 44.16(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Costs, Civil Procedure Rules Updated: 01 April 2022; Ref: scu.598464
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
Application on the part of the Claimant for relief from sanctions under CPR 3.9. Judges: Master Haworth, Costs Judge Citations: [2010] EWHC 90164 (Costs) Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Procedure Rules 3.9 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Costs Updated: 11 February 2022; Ref: scu.416589
Strike out – Realistic Not Fanciful Chance Needed The proper test for whether an action should be struck out under the new Rules was whether it had a realistic as opposed to a fanciful prospect of success. There was no justification for further attempts to explain the meaning of what are clear words. The judge … Continue reading Swain v Hillman: CA 21 Oct 1999
The court was asked first whether the defendants had complied with an unless order made with respect to the disclosure of information required to be provided in aid and in order to ensure the proper release of a freezing order which had previously been made, and second whether, if there was such a failure, the … Continue reading Thevarajah v Riordan and Others: ChD 9 Aug 2013
ECJ (Order) Reference for a preliminary ruling – Article 53(2) of the Rules of Procedure of the Court – Judicial cooperation in civil matters – Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010 – Scope – Recognition of a private divorce pronounced by a religious court in a third country – Manifest lack of jurisdiction of the Court C-281/15, … Continue reading Sahyouni v Mamisch: ECJ 12 May 2016
(Area of Freedom, Security and Justice – Order) Reference for a preliminary ruling – Article 53 (2) of the Rules of Procedure of the Court – Judicial cooperation in civil matters – Insolvency proceedings – Retroactive modification of the conditions for the execution of reciprocal set-offs carried out with a bankrupt credit institution – State … Continue reading Corporate Commercial Bank v Elit Petrol AD: ECJ 15 Jan 2020
The parties had disputed liability for personal injuries in a road traffic accident. The court had held the defendant liable, but held over the assessment of damages. The defendant sought to refer to the fact of his offer of settlement when assessing the costs of the liability trial. Held: CPR r 36.13(2) did not permit … Continue reading Beasley v Alexander: QBD 9 Oct 2012
The defendant sought to have struck out the claim on the basis that delay made a fair trial impossible. Warren J [2006[ EWHC 3697 (Ch) Bailii Civil Procedure Rules 3.492) England and Wales Litigation Practice Updated: 09 January 2022; Ref: scu.263664
The normal rules as to costs contained in the CPR should also be followed in probate actions save only that the judge should also take account of the guidance in the Spiers case, where an alternative costs order might be made if the testator or those interested in the residue had been the cause of … Continue reading In re Good, deceased; Carapeto v Good and Others: ChD 19 Apr 2002
Carr DBE J [2015] EWHC 1864 (Comm) Bailii Civil Procedure Rules 11 England and Wales Litigation Practice Updated: 02 January 2022; Ref: scu.550075
The claimant commenced an action here after suffering injury whilst in Egypt on an excursion organised under the control of the defendant. The defendant denied jurisdiction as regards the damage suffered. Held: The defendant’s appeal was allowed in part. The use of the word ‘damage’ in the Regulation could not be relied upon to create … Continue reading Brownlie v Four Seasons Holdings Incorporated: CA 3 Jul 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
The three claimants had each been convicted of murders and served time. Their convictions had been reversed eventually, and they now appealed against the refusal of compensation for imprisonment, saying that there had been a miscarriage of justice. Held: The appeal of Adams was denied, but those of MacDermott and McCartney allowed (by majority). The … Continue reading Adams, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: SC 11 May 2011
A prison policy requiring prisoners not to be present when their property was searched and their mail was examined was unlawful. The policy had been introduced after failures in search procedures where officers had been intimidated by the presence of prisoners. Particularly when examining documents subject to legal professional privilege, the rules did not allow … Continue reading Regina (Daly) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 23 May 2001
The claimants founded their action on the assertion that the defendants had been corrupt in obtaining contracts in India. The defendants argued that the English courts had no jurisdiction. The claimants held various small shareholdings in a company used as a vehicle for paying bribes, and sought return of the money paid. It was a … Continue reading Konamaneni v Rolls Royce Industrial Power (India) Limited: ChD 20 Dec 2001
The claimant issued proceedings requesting the court to return the summons to him for service. In error the court served direct. The defendant argued that the service error made the claim invalid, and in the circumstances out of time. The claimant appealed from a decision in the defendant’s favour. Held: The appeal succeeded. ‘the principal … Continue reading Stoute v LTA Operations Ltd (T/A Lawn Tennis Association): CA 15 May 2014
The claimants sought to have set aside statutory demands served to enforce judgmens, they said under a discrepancy. The order refusing their application should they said, have notified them of their right to appeal. Held: None of the applicable rules expressly required otification that an appeal was available. Newey J [2015] EWHC 932 (Ch), [2015] … Continue reading Clarke v Cognita Schools Ltd (T/A Hydesville Tower School): ChD 1 Apr 2015
In a case of any complexity, when an appeal court considered an application for leave to appeal which was filed out of time, it should have in mind the matters listed in the rules. It was not appropriate to use judge made checklists where one was provided in the rules: ‘[I]n cases where the arguments … Continue reading Sayers v Clarke Walker (A firm): CA 14 May 2002
The claimants, airline pilots, and the company disputed the application of the 1998 Regulations to their employment. They sought pay for their annual leave made up of three elements: a proportionate part of the fixed annual sum paid for their services, a supplementary payment which varied according to the time spent flying, and thirdly an … Continue reading British Airways Plc v Williams and Others: SC 17 Oct 2012
The claimant had been sued for the misuse of trademarks by selling motorcycles imported via a parallel market. It claimed that the defendant had filed false evidence in that action, and now appealed a refusal by the judge to bring contempt proceedings. The defendant argued that proceedings could only be brought with the consent of … Continue reading KJM Superbikes Ltd v Hinton: CA 20 Nov 2008
The defendant had been tried for the murder of two men by shooting them at a party. He was identified as the murderer by three witnesses who had been permitted to give evidence anonymously, from behind screens, because they had refused, out of fear, to testify should their identities be disclosed. He now said that … Continue reading Regina v Davis: HL 18 Jun 2008
The defendant appealed against a refusal to strike out the claimant’s action saying that the claimant had been involved in a fraud upon the court in an earlier associated claim. Held: The Rule gave no power to strike out a claim on such a basis. The dishonest assertion of a claim by a co-claimant did … Continue reading Shah v Ul-Haq and Others: CA 9 Jun 2009
The company borrowed money from a bank, who instructed the defendants to act in the loan. On recovering the loan, the borrowers challenged the amounts charged by the solicitors. The court was asked what were the powers for a third party paying a solicitor’s bill to challenge the amount, and how any reduction might be … Continue reading Tim Martin Interiors Ltd v Akin Gump Llp: ChD 17 Nov 2010
Defamation/privacy claims against doctors failed The claimant, seeking damages for alleged defamation, now asked for the case to be anonymised. Held: The conditions for anonymisation were not met. The anonymity would be retained temporarily until any time for appeal had passed. As to the defamation allegation (contained in an email: ‘in order to satisfy the … Continue reading ZC v Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust: QBD 26 Jul 2019
Rule Against Appeal was Ultra Vires W had applied to have set aside the consent order made on her ancillary relief application accusing the husband of material non-disclosure. She complained that her application to have the order varied had been refused on the ground that her only remedy was in an appeal. Held: The appeal … Continue reading CS v ACS and Another: FD 16 Apr 2015
(Grand Chamber) The applicants complained that on being arrested on suspicion of offences, samples of their DNA had been taken, but then despite being released without conviction, the samples had retained on the Police database. Held: (Unanimous) The retention was unlawful. Though other member states retained some DNA samples in certain conditions, the UK was … Continue reading Marper v United Kingdom; S v United Kingdom: ECHR 4 Dec 2008
Lack of Capacity – Effect on Proceedings The Court was asked ‘First, what is the test for deciding whether a person lacks the mental capacity to conduct legal proceedings on her own behalf (in which case the Civil Procedure Rules require that she has a litigation friend to conduct the proceedings for her)? Second, what … Continue reading Dunhill v Burgin: SC 12 Mar 2014
The parties had settled a personal injury claim, on the basis as expected that the claimant would be provided with accommodation by the local authority. It later turned out that accommodation would not be provided, and he returned to court to request that the order be amended. He now appealed refusal of an order. Held: … Continue reading Roult v North West Strategic Health Authority: CA 20 May 2009
The House asked when a decision, on the facts, of a first instance court is so wrong as to allow it to be overturned on appeal. Held: The epithet ‘wrong’ is to be applied to the substance of the decision made by the lower court. ‘Certainly it would not be useful to inquire whether different … Continue reading G v G (Minors: Custody Appeal): HL 25 Apr 1985
The applicants had been imprisoned and held without trial, being suspected of international terrorism. No criminal charges were intended to be brought. They were foreigners and free to return home if they wished, but feared for their lives if they did. A British subject, who was suspected in the exact same way, and there were … Continue reading A v Secretary of State for the Home Department, and X v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 16 Dec 2004
The court considered the levels of meaning in an article falsely connecting the claimant with terrorist activity: ‘Once it is recognised that the article may be asserting no more than that in one way or another the respondents may unwittingly have assisted terrorists in the past and may by introducing more controls be able to … Continue reading Jameel, Abdul Latif Jameel Company Limited v The Wall Street Journal Europe Sprl (No 1): CA 26 Nov 2003
Adverse Comments by Judge Need not be Show of Bias In five cases, leave to appeal was sought on the basis that a party had been refused disqualification of judges on grounds of bias. The court considered the circumstances under which a fear of bias in a court may prove to be well founded: ‘The … Continue reading Locabail (UK) Ltd, Regina v Bayfield Properties Ltd: CA 17 Nov 1999
The respondent had issued bonds but in 2001 had declared a moratorium on paying them. The appellant hedge fund later bought the bonds, heavily discounted. Judgment was obtained in New York, which the appellants now sought to enforce against assets in the UK. They argued that the terms of issue waived state immunity. Held: The … Continue reading NML Capital Ltd v Argentina: SC 6 Jul 2011
The claimant beneficiary in the estate sought damages against solicitors who had acted for the claimant’s brother, the administrator, saying they had allowed him to take control of the assets in the estate. The will provided that property was to be transferred only if the claimant’s brother paid all the Inheritance Tax. It was transferred … Continue reading Roberts v Gill and Co Solicitors and Others: SC 19 May 2010
The claimants had been in coaches being driven to take part in a demonstration at an air base. The defendant police officers stopped the coaches en route, and, without allowing any number of the claimants to get off, returned the coaches to London. The officer acted saying that he feared a breach of the peace … Continue reading Laporte, Regina (on the application of ) v Chief Constable of Gloucestershire: HL 13 Dec 2006
EC has sole jurisdiction over old cartels Several claimants alleged that the defendant airway had been part of a cartel which had overcharged for freight services. The court now heard arguments about whether it had jurisdition to deal with claims which preceded the measures which had brought into force the EU competition rules. The cartel … Continue reading Emerald Supplies Ltd and Others v British Airways Plc: ChD 4 Oct 2017
