Lewison LJ said: ‘Appellate courts have been repeatedly warned, by recent cases at the highest level, not to interfere with findings of fact by trial judges, unless compelled to do so. This applies not only to findings of primary fact, but also to the evaluation of those facts and to inferences to be drawn from them.’ and: ‘(iv) In making his decisions the trial judge will have regard to the whole of the sea of evidence presented to him, whereas an appellate court will only be island hopping.
(v) The atmosphere of the courtroom cannot, in any event, be recreated by reference to documents (including transcripts of evidence).
(vi) Thus even if it were possible to duplicate the role of the trial judge, it cannot in practice be done.’
Lewison J also explained the task of a judge in delivering his judgment: ‘It is also important to have in mind the role of a judgment given after trial. The primary function of a first instance judge is to find facts and identify the crucial legal points and to advance reasons for deciding them in a particular way. He should give his reasons in sufficient detail to show the parties and, if need be, the Court of Appeal the principles on which he has acted and the reasons that have led him to his decision. They need not be elaborate. There is no duty on a judge, in giving his reasons, to deal with every argument presented by counsel in support of his case. His function is to reach conclusions and give reasons to support his view, not to spell out every matter as if summing up to a jury. Nor need he deal at any length with matters that are not disputed. It is sufficient if what he says shows the basis on which he has acted.’
Judges:
Longmore, Lewison, Kitchin LJJ
Citations:
[2014] EWCA Civ 5, [2014] FSR 29, [2014] CTLC 49, [2014] ETMR 26
Links:
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Citing:
Cited – John Walker and Sons Ltd v Henry Ost and Co Ltd ChD 1970
The plaintiff whisky distiller claimed in passing-off against the defendant who supplied bottles and labels to a distiller in Ecuador.
Held: An injunction was granted. Having cited from Singer v Loog, the court added: ‘I would be slow to . .
Cited – HP Bulmer Ltd and Another v J Bollinger Sa and others CA 22-May-1974
Necessity for Reference to ECJ
Lord Denning said that the test for whether a question should be referred to the European Court of Justice is one of necessity, not desirability or convenience. There are cases where the point, if decided one way, would shorten the trial greatly. . .
At ChD (1) – Fage UK Ltd and Another v Chobani Uk Ltd and Another ChD 11-Dec-2012
Action for passing off – application to allow additional survey evidence . .
At ChD (2) – Fage UK Ltd and Another v Chobani Uk Limited and Another ChD 29-Jan-2013
Whether additional survey evidence should be admitted . .
At ChD (3) – Fage UK Ltd and Another v Chobani Uk Ltd and Another ChD 26-Mar-2013
Extended passing-off case about yoghurt. The main issue was whether, by the beginning of September 2012, the phrase ‘Greek yoghurt’ had, when used in the UK marketplace, come to have attached to it a sufficient reputation and goodwill as denoting a . .
Cited by:
Cited – WM v HM FC 9-May-2017
. .
Cited – Perry v Raleys Solicitors SC 13-Feb-2019
Veracity of a witness is for the court hearing him
The claimant, a retired miner, had sued his former solicitors, alleging professional negligence in the settlement of his claim for Vibration White Finger damages under the government approved scheme for compensation for such injuries. At trial, the . .
Cited – Walsh v The Council of The Borough of Kirklees QBD 5-Mar-2019
No demonstrable error of assessment – no appeal
The claimant cyclist appealed from refusal of damages after being thrown from her bike on hitting a pothole in the road. The court had found it unproven that the pothole was dangerous.
Held: The evidence had been difficult. The court noted . .
Cited – Kynaston-Mainwaring v GVE London Ltd CA 19-Oct-2022
. .
Lists of cited by and citing cases may be incomplete.
Intellectual Property
Updated: 19 October 2022; Ref: scu.520770