Will the court agree to adjourn a hearing based on a barrister’s non-availability?
In this blog, I consider the case of Rupert St John Webster v John Francis Penley, Witherbotham Smith Penley LLP - [2021] EWHC 3198 (Ch), 2021, which involved a claimant’s application to court to adjourn an application because his barrister was not available. It is not often that an application to adjourn a hearing merits […]
Expert Evidence in Professional Negligence Claims
Professional Negligence cases can stand or fall on the strength, or otherwise, of the expert evidence. If a client wishes to criticise the work of a professional person, then there must be a supportive report from an expert of the same or similar professional discipline. This is very familiar territory for practitioners who conduct clinical […]
Commercial Rent Arrears and the Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Bill
It is clear to anyone in business that the road to post coronavirus normality is going to be anything but straightforward. Not only do we need to look to a new future, but we also have to rebuild from the wreckage of what has happened. Part of this is the resolution of commercial rent arrears. […]
The Climate Crisis and the Role of the Courts and Professional Bodies
In recent weeks, the urgency of the climate crisis has been highlighted by scientists, politicians and royalty and all eyes will be on the COP26 Glasgow conference this month to see whether the politicians will be able to negotiate a deal which is fit for purpose. As environmental issues are increasingly emphasised, more disputes about […]
How does the court deal with uncontroverted expert evidence?
This week I am considering the case of Griffiths v TUI (UK) Limited [2021] EWCA Civ 1442 (CA) which was handed down in the Court of Appeal on 7 October. Earlier this year, in my post about the case of Oaklion Properties Ltd v Denbighshire County Council [2021], I explained that, when preparing for a […]
Winding up petitions: new restrictions
The current restrictions on winding up petitions are due to expire on 30 September 2021. They will be replaced by more limited restrictions which are set out in the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Amendment of Schedule 10) Regulations 2021. According to the Insolvency Service, the changes are aimed at helping High Street […]
Penalties: don't be too extravagant
In Ahuja Investments Ltd v Victorygame Ltd, Surjit Singh Pandher Judge Hodge QC, sitting as a High Court Judge, was asked to consider whether a default interest rate in a loan agreement constituted a penalty. Judgment was handed down on 26 August 2021. Background The claimant, Ahuja Investments Limited (AIL) brought a claim against the […]
Construction Contracts and Collateral Warranties
I am taking a look at collateral warranties this week and the Technology and Construction Court decision in the case of Toppan Holdings Limited and 1 other v Simply Construct (UK) LLP. Background The claimants made an application to court for summary judgment to enforce adjudication decisions against the defendant, Simply. Simply had undertaken construction […]
Preservation of evidence: Chubb European Group SE v Hiscox Insurance and Hawkins & Associates Ltd
It has been a while since I looked at an insurance dispute so this week I have chosen to review Chubb European Group SE v Hiscox Insurance and Hawkins & Associates Ltd [2021] EWHC 1808 (TCC). Judgment was handed down on 9 June 2021. The case was concerned with Chubb’s application for an order seeking […]
Original and best: Advancing a claim without the primary document
What happens if you want to bring a claim, but you no longer have the original version of the key document you need to support your case? This is a point which the Court of Appeal was asked to consider in the case of Goodison v PRA Group (UK) Limited. Background The appellant, G, had […]