Claiming interest when making a claim
Claiming interest can often be overlooked when bringing a monetary claim through the courts, not least when trying to keep costs to a minimum by litigating in person, ie; without the assistance of a solicitor. Still, even though the primary concern in this context is understandably recovery of the substantive outstanding sum, if that sum is […]
How does deliberate concealment impact the law on limitation?
In the recent landmark decision in Canada Square Operations Ltd v Potter [2023] UKSC 41, the meaning of the phrase "deliberate concealment" within a limitation context — where any fact relevant to a claim has been deliberately concealed from the claimant by the defendant — has been clarified by the Supreme Court. Below we look […]
When to use "without prejudice"
The "without prejudice" principle is a tool commonly used by legal practitioners to enable them to speak freely during settlement discussions. When used correctly, any concessions made on behalf of a client, including offers to settle, cannot usually be treated as admissions of liability if the dispute in question cannot be resolved. This is because […]
Unfair prejudice petitions and fair offers for shares
Unfair prejudice petitions are a form of statutory protection afforded to minority shareholders in the context of shareholder disputes. Accordingly, pursuant to section 994 of the Companies Act (CA) 2006, provided an aggrieved minority shareholder can show that the company's affairs are being or have been conducted in a manner that is unfairly prejudicial to […]
Strengthening Business Resilience Through Dispute Resolution Management
Disputes in business are inevitable. They can arise from various sources, from contractual disputes to competition disputes and beyond. When such disputes occur, they can have severe consequences for the affected business, including lost revenue, damaged reputation, and costly legal fees. Therefore, having a solid strategy for managing and resolving disputes is crucial to any […]
Tips for dealing with commercial disputes
Failure to resolve a commercial dispute can have serious consequences that extend beyond the immediate parties involved. If unresolved, these conflicts can lead to strained business relationships and can tarnish a company's reputation in the industry. Furthermore, prolonged disputes can result in significant financial losses due to legal fees and lost business opportunities. In the […]
Personal guarantees: will the court order that the original documents should be disclosed?
In litigation, the fundamental purpose of disclosure is to make available any evidence which either supports or undermines the respective parties' cases where, under Part 31 of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR), parties are required to disclose to each other any documents that damage their case, as well as any helpful documents. Needless to say, […]
Meeting the increase in shareholder and partnership disputes with mediation
With the UK’s economy continuing to struggle, shareholder and partnership disputes are on the rise, with ailing businesses finding it increasingly difficult to remain aligned. The use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) such as mediation is also becoming more prevalent as a means to resolve these types of disputes without recourse to the courts and […]
The essential ingredients of unfair prejudice petitions
When it comes to running a company, corporate decision-making is predominantly down to the company directors and majority shareholders. Still, even those with a minority shareholding are entitled to some limited say. More importantly, if the company's affairs are being conducted in a manner that is unfairly prejudicial, minority shareholders can petition to the court […]
Japanese knotweed and claims for diminution in value
The role played by diminution in value in claims of nuisance involving Japanese knotweed recently came before the Court of Appeal. In Davies v Bridgend County Borough Council [2023] EWCA Civ 80, the CA found that if the value of neighbouring property was diminished as a result of an interference with quiet enjoyment or amenity […]