The court considered an extension of the time for claiming damages for personal injuries after the claimants said they had been sexually abused as children in the care of the defendants. Held: The test to be applied under section 14(2) was ‘partly subjective’and ‘section 14(2) was designed principally to provide for cases of late diagnosis … Continue reading KR and others v Bryn Alyn Community (Holdings) Ltd and Another: CA 10 Jun 2003
LRA Adverse possession – Lease – Loft Room – Encroachment on landlord’s title – Accretion to Lease – Limitation Act 1980 – Sch 6 Land Registration Act 2002 – Form NAP – failure to serve counter-notice under Sch 6 para 5 Citations: [2010] EWLandRA 2009 – 0850 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Registered Land … Continue reading Skipwith v Singh (Adverse Possession): LRA 4 May 2010
The claimant sought to enforce a post employment restrictive covenant given by the defendant. The defendant replied that the clause was too widely framed and was unreasonable since it applied to a temination of his contract ‘howsoever occasioned’. The employer appealed the decision against it based on D -v- M. Held: It was necessary to … Continue reading Rock Refrigeration Limited v Jones and Seward Refrigeration Limited: CA 10 Oct 1996
(Australia) Lord Wilbeforce said: ‘A breach of a repudiatory character . . entitles the innocent party, unless he waives the breach, to claim to be released from further performance of his obligations under the contract. So far their Lordships of course agree. One of these obligations, counsel proceeded to argue, was to bring any action … Continue reading Port Jackson Stevedoring Pty. Limited v Salmond and Spraggon (Australia) Pty. Limited: PC 10 Jul 1980
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 court was asked whether, when a claim was issued towards the very end of a limitation period, but was then not served, and the claim was struck out, CPR Part 7.5(1) gave a further four months in which it could be resurrected at the discretion of a judge under section 33 of the 1980 … Continue reading Aktas v Adepta: CA 22 Oct 2010
The dispute followed the grounding of a tanker the Ocean Victory. The ship was working outside of a safe port requirement in the charterparty agreement. The contract required the purchase of insurance against maritime war and protection and indemnity risks. The grounding occurred during a combination of severe weather events. Each of the two elements … Continue reading Gard Marine and Energy Ltd and Another v China National Chartering Company Ltd and Another: SC 10 May 2017
A court can turn down, and refuse to hear or accept claims, which were similar to a previous, statute barred, deceit claim. Citations: Times 10-May-1994 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 2 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Appeal from – Goose v Wilson Sandford and Co and Mainon CA 13-Feb-1998 A judge was properly criticised for … Continue reading Goose v Wilson Sandford and Co (A Firm) and Another: ChD 10 May 1994
A claim against a bank for repayment of a deposit does not of itself restart the limitation period on a claim, but where a customer revoked a demand, asking for payment at next maturity, the contract continued and the limitation period started afresh. Citations: Times 10-Dec-1998, Gazette 10-Dec-1998, [1998] EWCA Civ 1776 Statutes: Limitation Act … Continue reading Mahomed v Bank of Baroda: CA 10 Dec 1998
A statutory demand by the Inland Revenue, which was based upon a debt which was statute barred, was not supportable and had to be set aside. The demand was based upon the judgement obtained by the Inland Revenue, and not upon the underlying tax debt. The limitation arrangements were different. Citations: Times 10-Apr-2000 Statutes: Limitation … Continue reading In Re A Debtor (No 647-Sd-1999): ChD 10 Apr 2000
The company appelaed a refusal of the judge to strike out a winding up petition. They said the petition was based upon a judgment which was now time barred. The petitioner replied that such a petition was not an action under the section. Held: Although a winding up petition is, in a general sense, a … Continue reading Ridgeway Motors (Isleworth) Ltd v Alts Ltd: CA 10 Feb 2005
The appellant had challenged an enforcement notice requiring him to pull down a partially built house. The issue was when the four year limitation period had commenced. Did the four year limitation period commence when the works were complete, or when the building was complete? Held: The inspector had found the building to be a … Continue reading Sage v Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and others: HL 10 Apr 2003
UTLC SERVICE CHARGES – jurisdiction of leasehold valuation tribunal – construction of lease – whether rent payable by a management company in respect of the common parts recoverable as part of the service charge – Limitation Act 1980 s.21 Citations: [2010] UKUT 75 (LC) Links: Bailii Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 21 Jurisdiction: England and Wales … Continue reading Warwickshire Hamlets Ltd and Another v Gedden and Others: UTLC 26 Mar 2010
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 claimant had had judgment in his personal injury claim entered in default of a defence. The defendant applied to set it aside as prima facie defeated by limitation. His application was rejected on the basis that since had had admitted the offence alleged, the limitation period would be extended allowing the claim to succeed. … Continue reading TPE v Franks: QBD 10 Jul 2018
Breaches of articles in the European Treaty by the UK government were tortious in nature, and the appropriate limitation period for claiming was governed by section 2 (six years). The government had failed to allow European fishing vessels into its waters, and had made itself liable for damages. Once this became clear, applicants sought to … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Transport, ex parte Factortame (No 7): TCC 27 Nov 2000
The court will not add a person as a defendant to an existing action if the claim was already statute-barred and he wished to rely on that defence, and if the court allows such addition ex parte it will not, on objection allow the addition to stand. Where a defendant is added under Ord.15 r.6 … Continue reading Liff v Peasley: CA 1980
Application by the defendants for disclosure and inspection of files of documents, which the claimant in the action says are protected by legal professional privilege or litigation privilege.Judge Havelock-Allen QC said: ‘ When it comes to proof of knowledge under section 14A , the assertion by a claimant that he was unaware of the material … Continue reading MAC Hotels Ltd v Rider Levett Bucknall UK Ltd: TCC 26 Feb 2010
The claimant alleged that the defendant, her stepfather, had sexually and otherwise assaulted her when she was a child. He had pleaded guilty to one charge in 1978, and now said that the claim was out of time. The claimant sought the extension of time for the claim on a just and equitable basis under … Continue reading RAR v GGC: QBD 10 Aug 2012
The claimant had begin proceedings against the defendant legal publishers, saying that their summary of a cash had brought was defamatory. He now sought leave to extend the limitation period for his claim, and the defendants argued that, given the very limited publication, the case was not worth pursuing. Held: There had been considerable delay, … Continue reading Bewry v Reed Elseveir (UK) Ltd and Another: QBD 10 Oct 2013
Claim included in statement of case covering multiple references filed within time – notice of reference filed after expiry of limitation period – whether claim referred to Tribunal within time – s.1, Land Compensation Act 1961 – s.9, Limitation Act 1980 – rr.7 and 28, Tribunal Procedure (Upper Tribunal) (Lands Chamber) Rules 2010 Martin Rodger, … Continue reading Five Oaks Land Ltd v London Borough of Redbridge (Compensation – Limitation): UTLC 2 Dec 2021
The Claimant sought damages for breach of the Rome Treaty Articles 82 and 81. His shipping company had faced organised anti-competitive attempts by the respondents to put him out of business. Held: A cause of action for breach of a statutory duty first arises when the breach causes damage to the claimant: ‘In this connection … Continue reading Arkin v Borchard Lines Ltd and others: ComC 10 Apr 2003
This appeal is concerned with a point of limitation arising out of a standard hire purchase contract concerning a car. The respondent had failed to maintain his payments, and theappelleants issued a termination notice. He was abroad fr a while, and the car repossessed and sold in his absence. Much later, the company sued for … Continue reading BMW Financial Service (GB) Ltd v Hart: CA 10 Oct 2012
The Movement sought to challenge decisions of the Secretary of state to give economic aid to the Pergau Dam, saying that it was not required ‘for the purpose of promoting the development’ of Malaysia. It was said to be uneconomic and damaging. It was said by the defendant’s advisers to be an abuse of the … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs ex Parte the World Development Movement Ltd: Admn 10 Nov 1994
The claimant was the registered owner of a leasehold flat, allowing the defendant to live in the flat while he was out abroad. The defendant first re-mortgaged the property in the claimant’s name, forging the claimant’s signature on the mortgage deed, and then, on 2 April 2001, sold the flat to himself, posing as the … Continue reading Nouri v Marvi and Others: CA 14 Oct 2010
The claimant appealed against rejection of his claim for damages after alleging sexual abuse by a catholic priest. The judge had found the church not vicariously liable for the injuries, and that the archdiocese had not been under a duty further to pursue the investigation of the reports received by them at the time. The … Continue reading Maga v The Trustees of The Birmingham Archdiocese of The Roman Catholic Church: CA 16 Mar 2010
Interpretation of Exclusion Clauses The plaintiffs had contracted with the defendants for the provision of a night patrol service for their factory. The perils the parties had in mind were fire and theft. A patrol man deliberately lit a fire which burned down the factory. It was an unresolved issue whether the employee intended to … Continue reading Photo Production Ltd v Securicor Transport Ltd: HL 14 Feb 1980
The House gave guidance how it would treat an invitation to depart from a previous decision of the House. Such a course was possible, but the direction was not an ‘open sesame’ for a differently constituted committee to prefer their views to those of the committee which determined the decision unanimously or by a majority. … Continue reading Practice Statement (Judicial Precedent): HL 1966
The claimant wished to claim damages after suffering serious injury as a child having been vaccinated with a drug manufactured by a defendant (APMSD). The defendant had relied on a defence saying that the limitation period under the Directive was 10 years. The claimant had then to choose another company (APSA) as defendant. On a … Continue reading O’Byrne v Aventis Pasteur Sa: SC 26 May 2010
A firm of solicitors had a member involved in a substantial fraud. The defendant firm of accountants certified the firm’s accounts. There were later many calls upon the compensation fund operated by the claimants, who sought recovery in turn from the accountants. The accountants pleaded limitation. Held: The Law Society faced a contingent liability on … Continue reading Law Society v Sephton and Co (a Firm) and Others: HL 10 May 2006
The applicant alleged that the rule under United Kingdom law whereby each time material is downloaded from the Internet a new cause of action in libel proceedings accrued (‘the Internet publication rule’) constituted an unjustifiable and disproportionate restriction on its right to freedom of expression. Held: The rule did engage the claimants right of free … Continue reading Times Newspapers Ltd (Nos. 1 And 2) v The United Kingdom: ECHR 10 Mar 2009
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 plaintiff, on arriving at the airport found that his luggage had been lost. The defendant denied liability saying he had not notified his claim within the requisite period.
Held: Elementary justice requires that the rules by which the . .
In claims for damages for child abuse at a children’s home made out of the six year time limit time were effectively time barred, with no discretion for the court to extend that limit. The damage occurred at the time when the child left the home. A . .
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A contribution to a damages award was sought. The two year period under section 10 had expired between the anniversary of the date on which an agreement to settle the victim’s claim had been made and the anniversary of the consent order which had given effect to the agreement. The court had to decide whether … Continue reading Knight v Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust, the National Health Service Litigation Authority, The Secretary of State for Health: QBD 23 Jul 2003
The parties were each sureties for a debt to their bank from their company. The bank recovered the company’s debt from one surety, who in turn sought a contribution of half from the other. The respondent asserted that the claim was statute barred, because in this case it was a claim under a guarantee for … Continue reading Hampton v Minns: ChD 17 May 2001
Citations: [2014] EWCA Civ 1541 Links: Bailii Statutes: Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1978, Limitation Act 1980 10 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Limitation Updated: 28 July 2022; Ref: scu.539387
The claimant had been found liable to pay damages for personal injury, and now sought contribution from the defendants. The defendants said that they were out of time since the contribution action had been commenced more than 2 years after the judgment. Held: The appeal succeeded. The judgment had been for damages to be assessed. … Continue reading Aer Lingus v Gildacroft Ltd and Another: CA 17 Jan 2006
Citations: [2018] EWHC 729 (TCC), [2018] WLR(D) 202 Links: Bailii Statutes: Liability (Contribution) Act 1978, Limitation Act 1980 10(1) 10(3) 10(4) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Limitation Updated: 25 April 2022; Ref: scu.620121
‘These appeals raise questions as to the correct approach to the application of section 33 of the Limitation Act 1980 in the light of the decision of the House of Lords in A v Hoare [2008] UKHL 6, [2008] 1 AC 844. Each appeal arises out of allegations of historic sexual abuse at a children’s … Continue reading AB and Others v Nugent Care Society: CA 29 Jul 2009
Corporate insolvency proceedings based on a statutory demand for monies due under a previous judgment are an ‘action on a judgment’ within s 24 rather than a method of enforcing or executing the judgment. They are barred by s 24 if brought more than six years after the judgment was obtained. S 24(1) of the … Continue reading Re A Debtor: 1977
The substitution of a successor party to a claim does not constitute a new claim for limitation purposes. Millett LJ considered the objects of the 1980 Act: ‘The 1980 Act was enacted in order to implement the recommendations of the Twenty-First Report of the Law Reform Committee (Final Report on Limitation of Actions) (Cmnd 6923) … Continue reading Yorkshire Regional Health Authority v Fairclough Building Ltd and Another: CA 16 Nov 1995
The plaintiff loaned money on the basis of a negligent survey by the defendant. The borrower subsequently defaulted, and the lender issued a writ. The defendant said that the claim was time barred. Held: The court allowed the plaintiff’s appeal. A cause of action against surveyor arose only when the loss was sustained and crystalised, … Continue reading First National Comercial Bank plc v Humberts: CA 27 Jan 1995
The company sought to strike out a winding up petition presented by the respondents, saying a winding up petition was by way of an action, and was barred by statute after six years. Held: A winding up petition was not an action within the section and was not time barred after 6 years. Citations: LTL … Continue reading Ridgeway Motors (Isleworth) Ltd v Altis: ChD 21 May 2004
There was a heated dispute between neighbours, culminating in some generous or perhaps over-generous pruning by the claimant of the defendant’s trees and shrubs on the boundaries. The defendants reported the matter to the police. Both Mr and Mrs Dalziel made oral complaints to the officer who attended upon them. He later returned and Mr … Continue reading Buckley v Dalziel: QBD 3 May 2007
The court considered the application of the limitation period to answering when damage occurred when it arises under an unsecured contingent liability. The claimant insurance company had provided after the event litigation insurance policies to the solicitors and their clients, relying on assessments of the cases made by the defendants. The court below had held … Continue reading Axa Insurance Ltd v Akther and Darby Solicitors and Others: CA 12 Nov 2009
The appellant had taken out a licence to drill for oil on its land. To maximise its return it drilled at a deep level out under the claimant’s land. It now appealed against a finding that this was a trespass, and that it should pay damages on a licence basis. Held: The drilling was a … Continue reading Star Energy UK Onshore Ltd and Another v Bocardo Sa: CA 15 Jun 2009
The plaintiff’s car was struck by a company car driven by the defendant in the course of her employment and she sought damages. Her action, against the employer, was struck out as late under the 1980 Act. She then commenced an action against the driver defendant. Held: The plaintiff was allowed to seek the exercise … Continue reading Shapland v Palmer: CA 23 Mar 1999
Appeal from a decision to grant the defendant bank summary judgment in respect of certain of the claimants’ claims. The result of the judgment is that the claimants can pursue a claim in deceit and contend that such claim is neither time-barred nor precluded by anti-set off provisions in their contract with the bank. No … Continue reading Woodeson and Another v Credit Suisse (UK) Ltd: CA 17 May 2018
The Society appealed dismissal for limitation of its claim against the defendant firm of accountants arising from alleged fraud in approval of a solicitor’s accounts. Held: The liability did not arise until the Society decided to make compensation to those who had been affected by the solicitor’s default. The claims in negligence were not time … Continue reading The Law Society v Sephton and Co and others: CA 13 Dec 2004
Partners Liable for Dishonest Act of Solicitor A solicitor had been alleged to have acted dishonestly, having assisted in a fraudulent breach of trust by drafting certain documents. Contributions to the damages were sought from his partners. Held: The acts complained of were so close to the activities which a solicitor would normally undertake, that … Continue reading Dubai Aluminium Company Limited v Salaam and Others: HL 5 Dec 2002
Bank not liable for fraud of customer The appellant sought to make the bank liable for a fraud committed by the Bank’s customer, the appellant saying that the Bank knew or ought to have known of the fraud. The court was asked whether a party liable only as a dishonest assistant was a trustee, and … Continue reading Williams v Central Bank of Nigeria: SC 19 Feb 2014
A limited company is not a trustee of its funds, but their beneficial owner. However, the fiduciary character of the duties of its directors mean that they are treated as if they were trustees of those funds of the company which are in their hands or under their control, and if they misapply them they … Continue reading Re Lands Allotment Company: CA 1894
Where an action had been begun on basis of allegations of negligence and breach of trust, new allegations of fraud where quite separate new causes of claim, and went beyond amendments and were disallowed outside the relevant limitation period. Sections 23 and 36 and the absence of express statutory mention in the 1980 Act of … Continue reading Paragon Finance Plc (Formerly Known As National Home Loans Corporation Plc v D B Thakerar and Co (a Firm); Ranga and Co (a Firm) and Sterling Financial Services Limited: CA 21 Jul 1998
Asutlii (High Court of Australia) Limitation of Actions – Appellant alleged respondent had raped and assaulted her in 1971 – Appellant alleged that she suffered post-traumatic stress disorder of delayed onset in 2000 and became aware of the connection between this disorder and the rapes and assaults in the same year – Proceedings were commenced … Continue reading Stingel v Clark: 20 Jul 2006
Application by the 3rd Defendant for summary judgment on, or strike out of, the claims brought against it on the grounds that they are statute-barred. Judges: Nugee J Citations: [2020] EWHC 1022 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 14A Jurisdiction: England and Wales Limitation, Negligence Updated: 20 November 2022; Ref: scu.650541
The bank had obtained judgment against the defendant, but had failed to act upon it, and the judgment became unenforceable. It then began later proceedings on the original debt (still within the applicable limitation period). The defendant said this was an abuse of process. Held: The decision in Ridgeway after close of oral argument on … Continue reading Bennett v The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland: CA 23 Jul 2004
The plaintiff sought damages for the negligence of the respondent in her care at birth. Years later the family concluded that her condition was a result of negligence. They waited until she was 21, when they mistakenly believed that she became an adult, and made a claim. Held: The defendant’s appeal succeeded. The court had … Continue reading O’Driscoll v Dudley Health Authority: CA 30 Apr 1998
The claimant sought to enforce an arbitration award made in 1983. Time might otherwise have expired, but the claimants relied on a fax which they said was an acknowledgement of the debt, and also upon a finding in a Romanian court which created an issue estoppel. Held: A typed signature on a fax was capable … Continue reading Good Challenger Navegante S A v Metalexportimport SA: CA 24 Nov 2003
LRA Application for first registration of land – objection based on adverse possession – whether application for first registration is ‘action for recovery of land’ – consideration of provisions of Limitation Act 1980 and Land Registration Act 2002 Citations: [2011] EWLandRA 2010 – 1166 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Registered Land, Limitation Updated: 06 … Continue reading Michael Abbs, Rachel Marie Hoey v Edward James Eldridge, Joanna Claire Eldridge (Adverse Possession): LRA 21 Sep 2011
Limitation rules were not to be dis-applied merely because the defendant was insured. Citations: Gazette 15-Jan-1997, Times 15-Nov-1996 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Limitation Updated: 03 November 2022; Ref: scu.82710
The case raised the question of law involving the application of the rule against perpetuities to what, on the claimant’s case, is a right of pre-emption created before the coming into force in 2010 of the Perpetuities and Accumulations Act 2009.’ Held: The right purportedly exercised by the letter had become void for remoteness, and … Continue reading Taylor v Couch: ChD 1 Mar 2012
The defendant resisted the plaintiff’s claim for personal injuries as out of time. His explanation for not pursuing inquiries with his solicitor was that he was an over-stayer who feared deportation. Held: Having good reason to make such inquiries, it was reasonable for him to do so despite his immigration status. Citations: [1997] 8 Med … Continue reading Coban v Aynur Allen F Barnes and Son (a Firm): CA 8 Oct 1996
Concealment by Defendant after the event does not stop time running against Plaintiff. Citations: Times 01-Jul-1994, Independent 08-Jul-1994 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 32(1)(b) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Appeal from – Sheldon and Others v R H M Outhwaite (Underwriting Agencies) Ltd QBD 8-Dec-1993 Deliberate concealment could prevent the limitation period from running. . . … Continue reading Sheldon and Others v R H Outhwaite (Underwriting Agencies) Ltd and Others: CA 1 Jul 1994
The plaintiff had a lump on her breast. The surgeon, without first subjecting the lump to a microscopic examination in order to determine whether it was cancerous or benign, removed the breast. This was in 1973. The lump was subsequently found to be benign. The patient knew very soon after the operation that the lump … Continue reading Dobbie v Medway Health Authority: CA 11 May 1994
The deceased had begun an action on becoming ill after exposure to asbestos by the defendant. He withdrew his action after receiving expert evidence that his illness was unrelated. A post-mortem examination showed this evidence to be mistaken. His widow sought to pursue an action, but it was claimed that this was out of time. … Continue reading Barry Young (Deceased) v Western Power Distribution (South West) Plc: CA 18 Jul 2003
The respondent Bain was a director of a number of connected companies, including Smarturgent and Pantone, both of which he indirectly controlled. The liquidator of both companies brought proceedings against Bain on a number of claims for breach of duty as a director, including that he had caused Smarturgent to spend a total of over … Continue reading In re Pantone 485 Ltd: ChD 29 Nov 2001
Appeal against finding that a local authority was not responsible for the sexual abuse of the appellant whilst with foster carers as a child. Held: As to whether the duty as non-delegable, such a duty must relate to a function which the local authority had assumed a duty to perform. Fostering was not a function … Continue reading NA v Nottinghamshire County Council: CA 12 Nov 2015
The plaintiff appealed a finding that she had sufficient knowledge of her possible claim for medical negligence against the defendants, and that she was out of time. She had known of her condition, but said she had no sufficient reason to see that it might have arisen from the negligence now found. Held: The court … Continue reading Smith v Leicestershire Health Authority: CA 29 Jan 1998
The bankrupt, while solvent had acquired a property which was first put in his own sole name, but then transferred to his wife outwardly ‘in consideration of love and affection’. Several years later, on the bankruptcy, the trustee sought to have the transaction set aside. The bankrupt, now discharged, said that in fact the original … Continue reading Stonham v Ramrattan and Another: CA 16 Feb 2011
The claimant’s bungalow suffered subsidence. Repair works were undertaken as advised by the defendants, but unsuccessfully. The claimant’s insurers instructed experts negotiators to investigate with a view to a claim. The defendants now claimed the action was out of time, since the knowledge of the defects acquired by the loss adjusters was to be imputed … Continue reading Graham v Entec Europe Ltd (T/A Exploration Associates): CA 6 Aug 2003
The defendant entered into a mortgage loan. The property was repossessed and he faced an action for recovery of the shortfall. It was argued that the claim was out of time after six years. The court held that the debt remained a specialty debt and the twelve year period applied, but nevertheless, the actual claimant … Continue reading Global Financial Recoveries Ltd v Jones: ChD 13 Jan 2000
The claimants wished to claim damages arising from the participation by the defendants in an unlawful cartel. The Court of Appeal had said that the claim was out of time, and that the claimants would have to seek an extension of time to bring their claim. Held: The Tribunal acted on the basis that it … Continue reading BCL Old Co Ltd and Others Basf Se (Formerly Basf Ag) and Others: CAT 19 Nov 2009
The defendant had been convicted and sentenced for the attempted rape of the claimant. He had subsequently won a substantial sum on the lottery, and she now sought damages. He replied that the action was statute barred being now 16 years old. The claimant said the decision to deny her claim had interfered with her … Continue reading A v Hoare: QBD 14 Oct 2005
COMPENSATION – limitation – Land Compensation Act 1973 – whether proceedings brought when notice of reference sent to Tribunal – whether notice of reference a nullity if failing to identify all persons interested in the land – held claim not statute barred – 1973 Act s 16, Limitation Act 1980 s 9(1), Lands Tribunal Rules … Continue reading O’Donovan v Manchester (Ringway) Airport Plc: UTLC 26 Aug 2009
The defendant had failed himself to repair his property, and the Local Authority carried out the work itself under the 1957 Act. It sought to recover the associated costs from the defendant, but he said that their claim was time barred, being more than six years after the work had been concluded. The authority argued … Continue reading Swansea City Council v Glass: CA 1992
The claimant had been seriously injured in an accident during a swimming lesson. She sought to claim against the local authority, and now appealed against a finding that it was not responsible, having contracted out the provision of swimming lessons. She said that the duty of care was non-delegable. Held: Her appeal succeeded. For a … Continue reading Woodland v Essex County Council: SC 23 Oct 2013
Twins were conjoined (Siamese). Medically, both could not survive, and one was dependent upon the vital organs of the other. Doctors applied for permission to separate the twins which would be followed by the inevitable death of one of them. The parents, devout Roman Catholics, resisted. Held: The parents’ views were subject to the overriding … Continue reading In Re A (Minors) (Conjoined Twins: Medical Treatment); aka In re A (Children) (Conjoined Twins: Surgical Separation): CA 22 Sep 2000
The claimant had been abused as a child by foster parents with whom she had been placed by the respondent authority. The court was now asked, the Council not having been negligent, were they in any event liable having a non-delegable duty of care with accompanying vicarious liability? Held: The appeal succeeded (Lord Hughes dissenting). … Continue reading Armes v Nottinghamshire County Council: SC 18 Oct 2017
The creditor appealed the decision to set aside a statutory demand as statute barred. Held: The appeal was dismissed. Bankruptcy proceedings based on a statutory demand for moneys due under a previous default judgment constituted ‘an action upon a judgment’ within s24(1). Insolvency proceedings constituted a fresh action or proceeding newly brought, of the kind … Continue reading Re a Debtor: ChD 1997
The wrong of the servant or agent for which the master or principal is liable is one committed in the case of a servant in the course of his employment, and in the case of an agent in the course of his authority. It is fundamental to the whole approach to vicarious liability that an … Continue reading Generale Bank Nederland Nv (Formerly Credit Lyonnais Bank Nederland Nv) v Export Credits Guarantee Department: HL 19 Feb 1999
JE, wife of DE, who had been taken into residential care by the Local authority, said that the authority had infringed his Article 5 and 8 rights on transferring him between homes. The authority asserted that he did not have mental capacity. She asserted that his retention in care was an unlawful detention. Judges: Munby … Continue reading Re DE, JE v DE, Surrey County Council and EW: FD 29 Dec 2006
Representative claims were made against the respondents, hospitals, pathologists etc with regard to the removal of organs from deceased children without the informed consent of the parents. They claimed under the tort of wrongful interference. Held: Organ removal when a post mortem had been ordered by the coroner was not tortious. In English law there … Continue reading AB and others v Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust: QBD 26 Mar 2004
The claimant alleged that he had been defrauded and accused the appellant of involvement in the fraud. The Bank appealed against a finding that the claim against it was not time limited. Held: The appeal failed. The action was by a beneficiary under a trust and had been brought in respect of a fraudulent breach … Continue reading Central Bank of Nigeria v Williams: CA 3 Apr 2012
A new claim was not deemed to have been made until the pleading was actually amended for limitation purposes, and should not be allowed after the limitation period had expired. The date of the application for leave to amend was not at issue. The court will normally require the claimant to bring fresh proceedings, in … Continue reading Welsh Development Agency v Redpath Dorman Long Ltd: CA 4 Apr 1994
Judges: Beatson J Citations: [2006] EWHC 1968 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 11 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Coad v Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Authority CA 17-Jul-1996 A nurse suffered a back injury in 1983 in the course of her employment. She left the employment of the health authority … Continue reading McHugh v Gray: QBD 27 Jul 2006
The claimant sought damages in negligence against solicitors who had advised the executors in an estate of which he was a beneficiary. He now sought to amend his claim to make a claim in his personal and in derivative capacities. Sums had been paid out of the estate which had defeated the inheritance rights of … Continue reading Roberts v Gill and Co and Another: CA 15 Jul 2008
The claimants appealed an order finding that the defendant had acquired their land by adverse possession. They said that the defendant had asserted in defence to possession proceedings that they were tenants, and that this contradicted an intent to deny the claimants’ title. Held: The appeal failed. A finding by the ECHR that a particular … Continue reading Ofulue and Another v Bossert: CA 29 Jan 2008
The claimant had made a mistake in naming the defendant company, but had intended the company which it now requested the court to substitute as defendant. The limitation period had expired. Held: The substitution was necessary to decide the issue raised by the action. The defendant’s appeal failed. Citations: [2007] EWCA Civ 966, Times 19-Nov-2007, … Continue reading O’Byrne v Aventis Pasteur Sa: CA 9 Oct 2007
The plaintiff, then a 16 year old girl slipped and fell whilst employed at the defendant’s factory. The limitation period expired on her 21st birthday. She commenced proceedings five and a half months after that date. The judge extended time under LA section 33, holding that he could only consider prejudice suffered by the defendant … Continue reading Donovan v Gwentoys Ltd: HL 1990
Claim in proceedings for damages for breach of duty under a retainer; The preliminary issue which the judge had to determine was whether the claimants had commenced the proceedings within any applicable period of limitation. Judges: Lord Justice Chadwick Citations: [2006] EWCA Civ 530 Links: Bailii Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 12A(4)(b) Jurisdiction: England and Wales … Continue reading 3M United Kingdom Plc and Another v Linklaters and Paines (A Firm): CA 3 May 2006
The defendants appealed an order refusing title by adverse possession to registered land. They denied that the limitation period had been restarted by their solicitor’s letter acknowledging the title. Held: The letter must be read as a whole. As such it was an admission of title. The requirement that the possession be adverse requires only … Continue reading Allen v Matthews: CA 13 Mar 2007
The defendant appealed a decision allowing a claim to proceed more than ten years after it had been suffered. The claimant’s hearing had been damaged after an officer threw a thunderflash into his trench on an exercise. Held: The defendant’s appeal was allowed. ‘If a claimant can bring himself within section 11(4)(b), then he can … Continue reading McCoubrey v Ministry of Defence: CA 24 Jan 2007
The claimant sought damages under the 1967 Act asserting injury from a drug sold by the defendant. Proceedings had been mistakenly commenced against Aventis Pasteur MSD Ltd within the limitation period, but outside the limitation period, it was sought to substitute the actual manufacturer Aventis Pasteur SA. Held: The substitution should be made. The sole … Continue reading O’Byrne v Aventis Pasteur MSD Ltd: QBD 20 Oct 2006
The claimant had been injured in a road traffic accident for which the defendant was responsible in negligence. The defendant was not insured, and so a claim was to be made against the MIB. The plaintiff issued proceedings just before the expiry of the period, but failed to give first the requisite formal notice to … Continue reading Horton v Sadler and Another: HL 14 Jun 2006
The claimant sought damages from his accountants, claiming negligence. The accountants pleaded limitation. They had advised him in connection with an investment in a company which investment went wrong. Held: It was argued that the limitation period was to be extended until three years after the discovery by the claimant of why it was that … Continue reading Haward and others v Fawcetts: HL 1 Mar 2006
The claimant appealed against a refusal of judicial review of a decision of the Lands Tribunal. Held: A decision of the Lands Tribunal could only be judicially reviewed in exceptional cases where there was either a jurisdictional error or a procedural irregularity. The application had been correctly refused. ‘The question of whether certain work is … Continue reading Sinclair Gardens Investments (Kensington) Ltd, Regina (on the Application of) v The Lands Tribunal: CA 8 Nov 2005
Citations: [2001] EWCA Civ 818 Links: Bailii Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 33 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Coad v Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Authority CA 17-Jul-1996 A nurse suffered a back injury in 1983 in the course of her employment. She left the employment of the health authority in either 1990 … Continue reading Griffin and others v Clwyd Health Authority and others: CA 14 May 2001
