The court preferred the more objective approach as to looking at when a plaintiff was to be fixed with knowledge of his injury: ‘If the purpose of section 14(3) is to create deemed or constructive knowledge in circumstances where there is no actual knowledge, it is highly improbable that Parliament intended that the application of … Continue reading Parry v Clwyd Health Authority: QBD 1996
An employer’s liability for racial abuse by its employees is wider than its liability under the rules of vicarious liability. The statute created new obligations. Sex and race discrimination legislation seeks to eradicate the ‘very great evil’ of discrimination.Waite LJ said: ‘a statute is to be construed according to its legislative purpose, with due regard … Continue reading Tower Boot Company Limited v Jones: CA 11 Dec 1996
The Court was asked as to the validity of the assignment by a liquidator to a litigation funder of the benefit of a wrongful trading claim against the directors of the company under section 214 of the IA 1986. The directors sought to stay the claim on the basis that the liquidator had no power … Continue reading Ward v Aitken and Others; In re Oasis Merchandising Services Ltd: CA 9 Oct 1996
The defendant had been driving the plaintiff’s daughters, but negligently caused an accident from which they died. The plaintiff was called to the accident, and claimed to have suffered post traumatic stress. The defendant said that the effect was explainable simply as grief. The defendant appealed against the quantum of damages. Held: Damages for nervous … Continue reading Vernon v Bosley (2): CA 29 Mar 1996
The defendant sought to set aside service of a claim outside the jurisdiction, saying that no good and arguable case had been made out that he was domiciled in the UK. The bank said that he owned a house in London. Held: Although domicile is defined in terms of ‘residence’, this concept must be construed … Continue reading Dubai Bank Ltd v Abbas and Another: CA 17 Jul 1996
(Hong Kong) The question was whether shipowners, who were not parties to the bill of lading contract between the charterers and carriers on the one part, and the cargo-owners, the bill of lading being a charterer’s bill, could enforce against the cargo-owners an exclusive jurisdiction clause contained in that contract. Held: Ship owners may not … Continue reading The Mahkutai: PC 24 Apr 1996
Calderbank offers not to be used instead of payments in in damages cases. Citations: Gazette 01-May-1996 Statutes: Rules of the Supreme Court Order 62 9(1)(d) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Litigation Practice Updated: 23 June 2022; Ref: scu.89275
The relevant factors in the phrase the words ‘so far as is reasonably practicable’ are the foreseeable risk of injury and the cost of the preventive measures. ‘Sections 2 and 3 impose duties in relation to safety on a single person, whether an individual or a corporation, who is in a position to exercise complete … Continue reading Austin Rover Group Ltd v Her Majesty’s Inspector of Factories: HL 1990
Employees who are otherwise qualified employees will transfer with their undertaking even though they are unaware of the identity of their new employer. Morison J considered the situation where there was a transfer of the undertaking, but the employee had not known the identity of the transferee: ‘In relation to the employee who, had he … Continue reading Secretary of State for Trade and Industry v Cook and others: EAT 13 Dec 1996
The re-insurers appealed against a finding that they were liable to make payment under a contract which required them to pay ‘sums actually paid.’ They said that the company having become insolvent, no payment would in fact be made. Held: The contract had to be construed as a whole. Under the contract, the sum became … Continue reading Charter Reinsurance Co Ltd v Fagan and Others: HL 24 May 1996
Land had been compulsorily acquired for a road. The plaintiff was granted on appeal under section 18 of the 1961 Act a certificate of appropriate alternative development in respect of the land acquired, namely that the land acquired would have been suitable for residential development. Held: On a valuation on a compulsory purchase of land, … Continue reading Porter v Secretary of State for Transport: CA 1996
A solicitor failed in 1983 to advise a purchaser of the fact that premium she was paying on purchasing a leasehold flat was unlawful under the Act, and would be unrecoverable on the sale. Before trial however, in 1989 the law changed and the premium would now be recoverable. Held: It was wrong to assess … Continue reading Kennedy v K B Van Emden and Co; Jordan v Gershon Young Finer and Green and Similar: CA 27 Mar 1996
The claimant had contracted to purchase lead from some of the defendants. There were delays in payment but when funds were made available they should have been repaid. An incorrect bill of lading was presented. The bill certified that the goods had been loaded, but they had not. Held: An inspector certifying the goods should … Continue reading Niru Battery Manufacturing Company, Bank Sepah Iran v Milestone Trading Limited: CA 23 Oct 2003
ECJ Officials – Action for damages – Implementation of a judgment annulling an appointment – Late completion of staff report. Citations: T-41/95, [1996] EUECJ T-41/95 Links: Bailii European Updated: 06 June 2022; Ref: scu.173003
ECJ Suspension of the buying-in of butter by the intervention agencies – Action for damages. Citations: T-226/94, [1996] EUECJ T-226/94 Links: Bailii European Updated: 06 June 2022; Ref: scu.172879
ECFI Officials – Employees of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions – Recruitment procedure – Rejection of an internal candidate – Actions for annulment – Action for damages. Citations: T-589/93, [1996] EUECJ T-589/93 Links: Bailii European Updated: 06 June 2022; Ref: scu.172776
There was no human rights breach where the victims of sex abuse had been refused a right to sue for damages out of time. The question is whether and to what extent differences in otherwise similar situations justify a different treatment in law: ‘Limitation periods in personal injury cases are a common feature of the … Continue reading Stubbings and Others v The United Kingdom: ECHR 22 Oct 1996
The Commission had concluded, by a narrow majority, that the measures taken by the respondent in refusing planning permission and enforcing planning orders were excessive and disproportionate, even allowing a margin of appreciation enjoyed by the national authorities. The Commission found that the interests of the applicant outweighed the general interest. The Court, also by … Continue reading Buckley v The United Kingdom: ECHR 25 Sep 1996
Time did not run for the purposes of CCR Order 9 Rule 10 during a period when the action was stayed pursuant to an order for a stay made under CCR Order 6 Rule 1(6) pending the filing of a medical report in support of a claim for damages for personal injuries. Held: In an … Continue reading Cashmore v Blue Circle Plumbing Fixtures Ltd: CA 30 Jul 1996
Europa In the preliminary-ruling procedure under Article 177 of the Treaty, it is for the national courts alone, before which the proceedings are pending and which must assume responsibility for the judgment to be given, to determine, having regard to the particular features of each case, both the need for a preliminary ruling to enable … Continue reading Criminal proceedings against Ruiz Bernaldez: ECJ 28 Mar 1996
The Government should not be ordered to pay compensation for failing to implement a European Directive which remained ambiguous. A failure to implement a directive into national law may be actionable but there would normally be only small damages. The breach here had not involved a manifest and grave disregard of European law. LMA BT … Continue reading Regina v H M Treasury, ex parte British Telecommunications: ECJ 26 Mar 1996
The claimant appealed an order finding its patents for mechanisms for labelling CDs invalid for obviousness. Held: the judge had applied the correct tests for obviousness, and the view taken by the judge of the expert evidence was not open to challenge in the way suggested. The patent was invalid for obviousness, and the appeal … Continue reading Rocky Mountain Traders Limited and Hewlett Packard Gmbh; Westcoast Limited and Fellowes Manufacturing (UK) Limited: CA 20 Dec 2000
The plaintiff held a right of pre-emption over the freehold reversion on the building containing his flat. He appealed the award of andpound;5.00 damages for its breach. The judge had discounted an offer received by the plaintiff of andpound;100,000 for the grant of a lease of another part of the building. The judge had made … Continue reading Homsy v Murphy: CA 27 Feb 1996
The solicitor, acting in a land purchase transaction for his lay client and the plaintiff, had unwittingly misled the claimant by telling the claimant that the purchasers were providing the balance of the purchase price themselves without recourse to further borrowing when he knew that they were using an overdraft to obtain further funding. The … Continue reading Mothew (T/a Stapley and Co) v Bristol and West Building Society: CA 24 Jul 1996
Sperm which had been taken from a dying and unconscious man may not be used for the later insemination of his surviving wife. The Act required his written consent. Held: Community Law does not assist the Applicant. The question had been considered in Parliament, and allowing for the limitations on the powers of courts exercising … Continue reading Regina v Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority ex parte DB: Admn 17 Oct 1996
The applicant for asylum had been involved in an airport bomb attack killing 10 people. Asylum had been refused on the basis that this was a non-political crime. Though the organisation had political objectives, those were only indirectly associated with the bomb attach which was disproportionate to those aims. Held: The involvement by the applicant … Continue reading T v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 22 May 1996
The wrongful prevention by a state of the lawful export of animals gave rise to a right to claim for damages. LMA The UK had refused to grant licences for the export of live sheep to Spain, on the grounds that the slaughterhouses were not complying with the terms of an EC Directive requiring the … Continue reading Regina v Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food Ex Parte Hedley Lomas (Ireland) Ltd: ECJ 23 May 1996
Two Somali nationals were refused asylum and sought to challenge a decision rejecting their claim that to be sent to Spain would be contrary to the United Kingdom’s obligations under the Geneva Convention of 1951. Held: Adjudicators are experts in their field and are provided with a great deal of background information in relation to … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department Ex Parte Abdi, Same v Same, Ex Parte Gawe: HL 15 Feb 1996
The dismissal by a Roman Catholic school of a teacher who was pregnant by a priest, was on the grounds of pregnancy, and for an inadmissible reason. The pregnancy was an effective cause of the adverse treatment of the Appellant by her employer. Judges: Mummery P Citations: Gazette 12-Sep-1996, Times 07-Jun-1996, [1996] IRLR 372, [1996] … Continue reading O’Neill v Governors of St Thomas More Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Upper School: EAT 7 Jun 1996
(New Zealand) Seventeen years earlier the plaintiff had asked a builder to construct a house for him, but it now appeared that the foundations had been inadequate. The building company no longer being in existence, he sought damages from the local authority which had supervised the construction. Held: A Local Authority was liable for economic … Continue reading Invercargill City Council v Hamlin: PC 12 Feb 1996
An IT was wrong to calculate damages for breach of contract as if it was a finding of unfair dismissal. Clark J said: ‘The fallacy in our judgment, in the chairman’s reasoning is to disregard the normal common law rules as to loss in cases of wrongful dismissal. That loss is limited to the sums … Continue reading Focsa Services (UK) Ltd v Birkett: EAT 30 Jan 1996
An excess redundancy payment is to be deducted from damages before any per cent pro rata redeuction is to be made for any other reason. An employer paying over statutory minimum on redundancy is entitled to full credit for extra payment of had dismissed unfairly. Citations: Times 11-Dec-1996, [1996] UKEAT 593 – 95 – 0512 … Continue reading Digital Equipment Co Ltd v Clements: EAT 11 Dec 1996
Individuals have a right to claim damages for the failure to implement a Community Directive. LMA The case concerned a failure to implement a Directive on package holidays. Held: The breach by the German State was clearly inexcusable and was therefore sufficiently serious to warrant liability (no mention of conditions). Non transposition of Directive within … Continue reading Dillenkofer and Others v Federal Republic of Germany: ECJ 8 Oct 1996
No undertaking for damages was to be required of a Local Authority exercising a statutory duty. The grant of an injunction in favour of a local authority performing law enforcement duties did not necessarily carry with it a cross-undertaking on damages of a type that is familiar in private litigation. Judges: Scott Baker J Citations: … Continue reading Coventry City Council v Finnie and Another: QBD 2 May 1996
A large interim award of damages can be proper if it is less than the likely damages which would be awarded at trial despite their remaining outstanding issues of fact to be decided. Citations: Times 15-Mar-1996 Citing: See Also – Chiron Corporation and Others v Murex Diagnostics Ltd CA 14-Oct-1994 ECJ judgments make a UK … Continue reading Chiron Corporation and Others v Murex Diagnostics Ltd (No 11): ChD 15 Mar 1996
Two black waitresses, clearing tables in the banqueting hall of a hotel, were made the butt of racist and sexist jibes by a guest speaker entertaining the assembled all-male company at a private dinner party. Held: The employer of the waitresses had racially discriminated against the waitresses. Had the assistant managers in charge for the … Continue reading Burton and Another v De Vere Hotels: EAT 3 Oct 1996
The claimant sought damages after having bought a house after receiving an allegedly negligent report on the concrete. She had asked to be allowed to add a third party (the local authority who had passed the building) as a defendant, but the request was outside the primary limitation period and was refused and again on … Continue reading Busby v Cooper; Busby v Abbey National plc; Busby v Lumby: CA 2 Apr 1996
A claim for an indemnity was made by two council officers who were also directors of a company set up by the local authority to finance and manage a waterpark for the public. The project failed and the company went into liquidation. The liquidator brought proceedings to recover substantial sums from them under the Insolvency … Continue reading Burgoine and Another v Waltham Forest London Borough Council and Another: ChD 7 Nov 1996
(Supreme Court of Victoria) The defendant applied to strike out substantial parts of a statement of claim on grounds including that the defendant faced allegations that by reason of breaches of contract the plaintiff had suffered loss of damage, particulars of which were given in a schedule A in which the loss and damage was … Continue reading John Holland Construction and Engineering Pty Ltd v Kvaerner R J Brown Pty Ltd: 1996
The defendants had wrongfully refused payment of the claimant’s cheque for pounds 4,550. The error was realised on the same day, and corrected. The master awarded damages of pounds 5,550 as general damages to the claimant’s credit by reason of the dishonour. It was argued that as the claimant was not in business he could … Continue reading Kpohraror v Woolwich Building Society: CA 10 Jan 1996
The plaintiff brought proceedings against the defendant health authority for negligence and breach of duty of care on the ground that, if he had been properly treated, he would not have killed his victim and would not have been convicted of the offence of manslaughter. He alleged that the consequence of the defendant’s breach of … Continue reading Clunis v Camden and Islington Health Authority: QBD 12 Dec 1996
The evidential burden of establishing betterment is on the defendant. Citations: (1996) 50 Con LR 1 Cited by: Cited – Pegler Ltd v Wang (UK) Ltd TCC 25-Feb-2000 Standard Conract – Wide Exclusions, Apply 1977 Act The claimant had acquired a computer system from the defendant, which had failed. It was admitted that the contract … Continue reading Oswald v Countrywide Surveyors Ltd: 1996
Conflict of laws – English exclusive jurisdiction clause in Towcon contract – Proceedings in South Africa in breach of clause – whether anti-suit injunction previously granted by Clarke J (see [1996] 2 LI Rep 140) should be discharged Judges: Timothy Walker J Citations: [1997] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 533, [1997] CLC 1497 Jurisdiction: England and Wales … Continue reading Bouygues Offshore S.A. v Caspian Shipping Company and Others; Ultisol Transport Contractors Ltd [v[ Bouygues Offshore S.A. (No. 5): ComC 23 May 1997
First Division – Inner House – Lord President Hope said: ‘In our opinion the lack of awareness which requires to be established for the purposes of section 11(3) of the 1973 Act is a lack of awareness that a loss has occurred caused by an act, neglect or default which gives rise to an obligation … Continue reading Glasper v Rodger: SCS 1996
Outer House – Lord Clyde reiterated his view, rejecting a challenge by counsel for the defenders, that section 11(3) was concerned only with awareness of loss, a matter of fact, and not with matters of legal liability. Judges: Lord Clyde Citations: 1996 SLT 150 Statutes: Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 Cited by: Cited – … Continue reading Kirk Care Housing Association Ltd v Crerar and Partners: SCS 1996
A receiver’s management duties will ordinarily impose on him no general duty to exercise the power of sale, or to ‘work’ an estate by refurbishing it before sale. Speaking of the role of an expert witness ‘What really matters in most cases are the reasons given for the opinion. As a practical matter a well … Continue reading Routestone Ltd v Minories Finance: ChD 1996
The court rejected a submission that, in a civil claim, sections 76 to 78 PACE precluded reliance altogether upon any evidence by an interview undertaken without a prior caution. Those exclusionary provisions were confined, the Court made clear, to criminal proceedings. However: ‘1. Were the court to be satisfied that answers had been obtained by … Continue reading Ghulam Yasim v Secretary of State for the Home Department: CA 1996
Complaint was made against the council for creating a statutory nuisance under the 1990 Act. The tenant sought compensation under the 1973 Act. The council appealed an award of andpound;3,000 compensation. Held: Compensation should be awarded for the period from the date of the notice until the date of the hearing. Where however the proceedings … Continue reading Regina v Liverpool Crown Court, Ex Parte Cooke: QBD 3 Apr 1996
Damages for escape of nuclear waste to include diminution of land value. Radioactive pollution of land following such an overflow is physical damage. Citations: Gazette 15-Jan-1997, Times 11-Dec-1996 Statutes: Nuclear Installations Act 1965 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Appealed to – Blue Circle Industries Plc v Ministry of Defence CA 16-Jun-1998 Contamination of land by … Continue reading Blue Circle Industries Plc v Ministry of Defence: ChD 11 Dec 1996
The defendant had admitted copying B’s drawings and designs for the creation of a nebulizer. To assist its election on damages, B sought preparation of details of the sales including costs and sale prices. When B also sought statutory damages, M said that having omitted it from the statement of claim, it was too late … Continue reading Brugger v Medic-Aid Ltd: PatC 1996
(New Zealand) Tipping J discussed the award of exemplary damages: ‘Exemplary damages for negligence causing personal injury may be awarded if, but only if, the level of negligence is so high that it amounts to an outrageous and flagrant disregard for the plaintiff’s safety, meriting condemnation and punishment.’ Judges: Tipping J Citations: [1996] 3 NZLR … Continue reading McLaren Transport Ltd v Somerville: 1996
(New Zealand Court of Appeal) Thomas J said: ‘the diminution in the value of Mr and Mrs Christensen’s shares in the company is by definition a personal loss and not a corporate loss. The loss suffered by the company is the loss of the lease and the profit which would have been obtained from harvesting … Continue reading Christensen v Scott: 1996
The plaintiff purchased a book shop. He claimed that in doing so he had relied upon the accounts prepared and signed off by the respective defendants. Held: The judge had been wrong by testing what would have been the true figures as against those prepared when deciding what the plaintiff would have done. In deceit … Continue reading Downs v Chappell; Downs v Stephenson Smart (a Firm): CA 1996
The claimant, a convicted burglar took proceedings against his former solicitors. He alleged that the negligence of the solicitor caused his wrongful conviction. Held: The case was dismissed. The claimant was seeking to re-litigate issues which had already been litigated in proceedings in the criminal court in which he had been a participant. The case … Continue reading Smith v Linskills: CA 1996
Damages for misrepresentation due to share purchaser not due to him as member. Citations: Times 27-May-1996 Statutes: Insolvency Act 1986 74(2)(f) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Company Updated: 28 April 2022; Ref: scu.89384
The claim patented sought to protect a genetic molecule rather than a whole mouse namely that the molecule would, if inserted into a suitable host cell, cause the cell to make antigens of the Hepatitis B virus. A recombinant method of making the antigens of a hepatitis virus was patented with a priority date of … Continue reading Biogen Plc v Medeva Plc: HL 31 Oct 1996
ComC Summary judgment under RSC Order 14 – claim for royalties – previous decision of the European Commission – claim for damages for breach of article 4 European Coal and Steel Treaty. The defence to the Coal Authority’s claim for royalties alleging breaches of article 4 was struck out because the matters complained of had … Continue reading Coal Authority v H J Banks and Company Ltd; H J Banks and Company Ltd v The Coal Authority and Anoher: ComC 20 Dec 1996
The Chairman of a tribunal may always hear questions as to matters of jurisdiction alone. Citations: Times 06-Nov-1996, [1997] IRLR 4 Statutes: Industrial Tribunals Act 1996 4(6) Citing: Disapproved – Mobbs v Nuclear Electric Ltd EAT 8-Aug-1996 An IT Chair should not sit alone at preliminary hearing if evidence is to be given. . . … Continue reading Tsangacos v Amalgamated Chemicals Ltd and Another: EAT 6 Nov 1996
Aa action for damages under the Treaty is an autonomous action; land a loss does not defeat any other claim. Citations: Gazette 30-May-1996 Statutes: European Union Treaty art 178 Damages Updated: 10 April 2022; Ref: scu.90053
The claimant sought to challenge a refusal of the Housing Authority to pay housing benefit. The Secretary of State had made the relevant Regulations determining eligibility for benefits. If the challenge were successful, the Secretary of State would be affected financially by reason of his obligation to pay sums to the Authority. Held: The Secretary … Continue reading Regina v Liverpool City Council Ex Parte Muldoon; Regina v Same Ex Parte Kelly: HL 11 Jul 1996
There was no wrongful arrest where the bylaw under which it was made was invalid. The question is the belief of the arresting officers. The effect of retrospective legislation is not always fully worked through. English law provides no cause of action for invalid administrative acts as such. A ‘second actor’ may be blameless if … Continue reading Percy and Another v Hall and Others: QBD 31 May 1996
The pursuer sought damages from the tobacco company following the death of her husband. Held: A first instance decision on caution for expenses should be set aside only if plainly wrong. Citations: Times 30-Sep-1996 Jurisdiction: Scotland Citing: See Also – McTear v Scottish Legal Aid Board 1995 The court refused the pursuer’s claim for judicial … Continue reading McTear v Imperial Tobacco Ltd: IHCS 30 Sep 1996
Awards of damages for race discrimination were proper against both the employer, and an individual racist employee. 28k was not too much. Aggravated damages might be appropriate for direct discrimination where a complainant relied upon malice of conduct as a source of aggravation of hurt to feelings. Smith J reviewed the authorities on compensation for … Continue reading Johnson v HM Prison Service and Others: EAT 31 Dec 1996
The claimant alleged that he had suffered torture in a security prison in Kuwait, and he obtained leave to serve out of the jurisdiction on the Government of Kuwait, and on three individuals, one of whom at least was served, on the ground that he had in consequence suffered psychological damage after returning to and … Continue reading Al-Adsani v Government of Kuwait and Others (No 2): CA 29 Mar 1996
Statutory Duty Does Not Create Common Law Duty The mere existence of statutory power to remedy a defect cannot of itself create a duty of care to do so. A highway authority need not have a duty of care to highway users because of its duty to maintain the highway. The two stage test ‘involves … Continue reading Stovin v Wise, Norfolk County Council (Third Party): HL 24 Jul 1996
A libel case against a French paper was rightly brought in UK despite the small (250 copies nationally and 5 in the plaintiff’s local area (Yorkshire)) circulation here. The Brussels Convention allows a claim for defamation in UK though the main public was abroad. Lord Jauncey of Tullichettle said: ‘Where English law presumes the publication … Continue reading Shevill and Others v Presse Alliance SA: HL 26 Jul 1996
The plaintiffs, British Coal Corporation, claim damages for libel against the National Union of Mineworkers (Yorkshire area) and also against one of the union’s senior officials. The alleged libel was published in the ‘Yorkshire Miner’, a monthly magazine distributed by the NUM, and the issue in question was that for April, 1992. The defendants said … Continue reading British Coal Corporation v National Union of Mineworkers and Another: QBD 28 Jun 1996
A plaintiff’s knowledge that her injury could be attributed to hypoxia, is not knowledge that the injury is attributable to the act or omission alleged to constitute negligence as might be pleaded in a statement of claim and no ordinary plaintiff could be expected to know that a birth injury was attributable to acts or … Continue reading Spargo v North Essex District Health Authority: QBD 1996
The employer had provided a permanent health scheme for directors and senior managers, which included the complainant. After its introduction the complainant, who up to that point had no written contract of employment, entered into a written contract. Unfortunately the form used was one which had previously been used before the scheme was introduced, and … Continue reading Aspden v Webbs Poultry and Meat Group (Holdings) Limited: QBD 1996
Aspect had claimed the return of funds paid by it to the appellant Higgins under an adjudication award in a construction contract disute. The claimant had been asked to prpare asbestos surveys and reports on maisonettes which Higgins was to acquire and redevlop. Higgins now appealed againt a decision overturning a high court judgment in … Continue reading Aspect Contracts (Asbetos) Ltd v Higgins Construction Plc: SC 17 Jun 2015
[1996] UKEAT 1061 – 94 – 1201 Bailii England and Wales Cited by: See Also – Cornelius v London Borough of Hackney EAT 3-Dec-1996 . .See Also – Cornelius v Hackney London Borough Council CA 25-Jul-2002 The applicant sought damages from the council for misfeasance in public office. Protracted litigation had followed his dismissal after … Continue reading Cornelius v London Borough of Hackney: EAT 12 Jan 1996
The claimant sued another player and the referee at a colts rugby match in which he was badly injured when the scrum collapsed. The claim against the player was dismissed, but the referee was found liable and he now appealed. Held: The referee’s appeal failed. The liability of a referee for a sports injury incurred … Continue reading Smoldon v Whitworth and Nolan: CA 17 Dec 1996
The plaintiffs purchased eight steam turbines from the defendants. They later proved defective, and the plaintiffs sought damages. In the meantime they purchased replacements, more effective than the original specifications. In the result the railway company obtained benefits over and above their contractual entitlement. The arbitrator stated a special case as to whether the plaintiffs … Continue reading British Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Co v Underground Electric Railways Co (London) Limited: HL 1912
Banking – collecting banker – remitting banker – privity of contract Banking – remitting bank – right to damages – other than indemnity by customer Conflict of laws – RSC Order 11 r.1(1)(f) – ‘damage sustained within the jurisdiction’ – meaning Amendment of writ – causes of action arising after date of writ – exception … Continue reading Bastone and Firminger Ltd v Nasima Enterprises (Nigeria) Ltd and Others: ComC 20 May 1996
The court was asked whether the costs of flood alleviation works were recoverable under public liability insurance policies. Held: A claim for the costs of remedial action taken to mitigate future losses were not covered by the terms of the insurance policy. The court considered the relevance of American cases.Stuart-Smith LJ said: ‘the American Courts … Continue reading Yorkshire Water Services Ltd v Sun Alliance and London Insurance Plc and Others (1): CA 20 Aug 1996
Second Hand Knowledge Supports Resaobnable Belief The plaintiff had been arrested on the basis of the 1984 Act. The officer had no particular knowledge of the plaintiff’s involvement, relying on a briefing which led to the arrest. Held: A reasonable suspicion upon which an arrest was founded need not be based on the arresting officer’s … Continue reading O’Hara v Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary: HL 21 Nov 1996
The plaintiff, a woman and her husband, had passed on information in confidence to the police about the identity of a person implicated in the killing of a police officer, expressing her concern that she did not want the source of the information to be traced back to her. The information was recorded, naming the … Continue reading Swinney and Another v Chief Constable of Northumbria: CA 22 Mar 1996
The plaintiff bank had agreed to underwrite a share placement. The defendant brokers made representations to potential investors outside and in breach of the terms of the engagement letter. The bank failed to check on the status of indicative commitments obtained by the chairman of the company. A significant number of shares were not taken … Continue reading County Ltd v Girozentrale Securities: CA 1996
The court considered whether discriminatory acts after the termination of employment were caught by the respective anti-discrimination Acts. The acts included a failure to give proper references. They pursued claims on the basis of victimisation after their primary discrimination claims. Held: The 1975 and 1976 Acts were similarly phrased and the wording in the 1995 … Continue reading Relaxion Group plc v Rhys-Harper; D’Souza v London Borough of Lambeth; Jones v 3M Healthcare Limited and three other actions: HL 19 Jun 2003
The Society, acting as a bank, had at first failed to pay its customer’s cheque for andpound;4,550, even though there were sufficient funds. The bank said that it had been reported lost. The customer sought damages to his business reputation. Held: The bank was in breach of contract and in principle liable for injury to … Continue reading Kpohraror v Woolwich Building Society: CA 1996
The court looked at a facility agreement opened by a bank in favour of the defendant which provided that in the event of default the defendant should pay interest during the period of default at an aggregate rate equal to the cost to the bank of obtaining the deposits required to fund its participation, an … Continue reading Lordsvale Finance Plc v Bank of Zambia: QBD 20 Mar 1996
The Court was concerned with a traditional road traffic accident in which a pedestrian was injured by a moving car. A question arose as to the admissibility of an expert. Held: Stuart-Smith LJ stated of the test of admissibility laid down in the 1972 Act: ‘But that section in no way extends the principles upon … Continue reading Liddell v Middleton: CA 1996
The Action Group had obtained a declaration that, where an overpayment of benefits had arisen due to a miscalculation by the officers of the Department, any process of recovering the overpayment must be by the Act, and that the Department could not use the law of unjust enrichment. The Department Appealed. Held: The appeal failed. … Continue reading The Child Poverty Action Group v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: SC 8 Dec 2010
The plaintiffs had suceeded in variously establishing claims in deceit and negligence, but now appealed against the finding that no damages had flowed from the wrongs. They had been sold a business on the basis of incorrect figures. Held: Where a plaintiff has been induced to enter into a transaction by a misrepresentation, whether fraudulent … Continue reading Downs and Another v Chappell and Another: CA 3 Apr 1996
Vice-Chancellor was asked to consider whether to strike out a statement of claim based upon alleged misfeasance by a police officer in his public office. The allegation against the police officer was that he had deliberately and falsely supplied details of convictions to the press. The point taken was that it was not concerned with … Continue reading Elliott v Chief Constable of Wiltshire and Others: ChD 20 Nov 1996
Proper Reply Opportunity Required on Deportation (Grand Chamber) The claimant was an Indian citizen who had been granted indefinite leave to remain in this country but whose activities as a Sikh separatist brought him to the notice of the authorities both in India and here. The Home Secretary of the day decided that he should … Continue reading Chahal v The United Kingdom: ECHR 15 Nov 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 or 1991. The judge had accepted her evidence that she did not know that she had a right of action against her employers until she left in 1991. Held: The … Continue reading Coad v Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Authority: CA 17 Jul 1996
Limits of Damages for Negligent Valuations Damages for negligent valuations are limited to the foreseeable consequences of advice, and do not include losses arising from a general fall in values. Valuation is seldom an exact science, and within a band of figures valuers may differ without one of them being negligent. But once the valuer … Continue reading South Australia Asset Management Corporation v York Montague Ltd etc: HL 24 Jun 1996
The defendant had been lured into the UK by the unlawful acts of customs officers. He claimed abuse of process. Held: The category of cases in which the abuse of process principles can be applied is not closed. A customs officer committing an offence alongside the defendant did not necessarily make thereby make a prosecution … Continue reading Regina v Latif; Regina v Shahzad: HL 23 Jan 1996
The Court directed that unless particulars were served by a specified date the defendant’s claim should be struck out. The defendant served some particulars but it was decided that the defendant had deliberately flouted the unless order and its pleadings would be struck out. Held: The striking out was upheld.A failure to follow and obey … Continue reading Hytec Information Systems Limited v Council of City of Coventry: CA 4 Dec 1996
The defendant solicitors had negligently in 1986 failed to advise purchasers that there was no good title to part (an extension over an adjoining property) of a leasehold flat which they were buying. The problem came to light in 1988 when they wished to sell. They were unable to do so. In 1990 a property … Continue reading Wapshott v Davis Donovan and Co: CA 1996
The claimant had received andpound;100,000 in interim payments on his personal injury claim, and now sought a further similar sum. Held: The claim was thought substantial, but the defendants said that any final award would include an arrangement for continuing care, and a further payment would prejudice the court’s ability to make such an award. … Continue reading Preston v City Electrical Factors Ltd and Another: QBD 13 Nov 2009
Simple interest only on rate swap damages The bank had paid money to the local authority under a contract which turned out to be ultra vires and void. The question was whether, in addition to ordering the repayment of the money to the bank on unjust enrichment principles, the court could also award compound interest. … Continue reading Westdeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale v Islington London Borough Council: HL 22 May 1996
The guarantor of an original tenant under the lease remains liable after the disclaimer the lease on insolvency. The disclaimer operates to determine the lease altogether with the result that the landlord’s reversion is accelerated. ‘In order to determine these rights and obligations it is necessary, in the nature of things, that the landlord’s obligations … Continue reading Hindcastle Ltd v Barbara Attenborough Associates Ltd and Others: HL 22 Feb 1996
The claimant said that she had been detained in excess of the period allowed under the 1987 Regulations, and that that detention was unlawful. She now appealed against the striking out of her claim. Held: Her action failed. The availablility of a remedy by way of judicial review for a breach of statutory duty is … Continue reading Olutu v Home Office: CA 29 Nov 1996
(Hong Kong) Migrants from Vietnam of Chinese ethnic origin had landed in Hong Kong by boat, and been refused refugee status. They were detained for several years under section 13D of the Immigration Ordinance ‘pending . . removal from Hong Kong’. However the Ordinance only permitted detention if the period of detention was ‘reasonable having … Continue reading Tan Te Lam v Superintendent of Tai A Chau Detention Centre: PC 27 Mar 1996
A post mortem had been carried out by the defendants. The claimants, her grandmother and child sought damages after it was discovered that not all body parts had been returned for burial, some being retained instead for medical research. They now appealed an order striking out their claim on the baiss that it disclosed no … Continue reading Dobson and Dobson v North Tyneside Health Authority and Newcastle Health Authority: CA 26 Jun 1996
The plaintiff had a history of circulatory problems in his legs. He underwent surgery losing his leg. The question was when he should have sought advice as to why an attempted by-pass operation had resulted in one leg having to be amputated. He enquired why only some 10 years after the event. He was told … Continue reading Forbes v Wandsworth Health Authority: CA 21 Mar 1996
The patient suffered from irreversible damage to the cerebral cortex and fell into a persistent vegetative state in 1992. Permanently insensate, she remained alive only because feeding and hydration were provided to her artificially and because of . .
(The Gambia) The employee received benefits, including accommodation, over and above his salary. When the company ended his contract, they cut off his electricity and water supply. After dismissal the company discovered misconduct by the appellant. . .
