Dispute Resolution Flashcards
There are 6 types of Part 20 claims (additional claims). What are they?
- Counterclaim by Defendant against Claimant.
- Counterclaim by Defendant against Claimant and another person.
- Additional claim by Defendant against a party claiming a contribution/indemnity.
- Additonal claim by Defendant against a party claiming a remedy other than contribution/indemnity.
- Additional claim by defendant against any person for a contribution/indemnity/other remedy.
- Additional claim by a party joined to the main proceedings.
What additional claims require the permission of the Court to be brought and which do not?
Additional Claims not requiring permission:
- Classic counterclaims (if filed with defence)
- Contribution/Indemnity claim against an existing party (if filed with defence)
- Other additional claims if issued by time of the defence
Additional Claims requiring permission:
- Counterclaims against a person other than the claimant
- Other additional claims issued after filing the defence
What is the structure used for a classic counterclaim?
“Particulars of Counterclaim”
Defence and Counterclaim form one single document with the counterclaim following the defence
What form must be served on a person who is not already a party to bring an additional claim against them?
Form N211
If an additional claim is served on someone who is not a party to the case, what must be included with the additional claim?
A response pack.
A copy of every statement of case.
Any other documents the court directs.
When will a court decide to hear an additional claim with the main claim instead of hearing them separately?
Court considers whether there is a substantial connection between the claims.
If so, it will combine the claims to save time and costs.
When can parties amend statements of case without the permission of the court/other party’s consent?
Parties can amend a statement of case before serving it.
When can a party to a claim amend a statement of case by consent?
Any statement of case can be amended at any time by unanimous written consent of the parties.
The amending party bears the cost and the court can rule to disallow the amendment.
When will a party need to court’s permission to amend a statement of case?
When the statement of case has been served and/or all parties don’t give written consent.
Permission is always required if amending Particulars of Claim to alter parties after service.
How can a party obtain the court’s permission to amend a statement of case?
The party must file an application notice with a copy of the proposed amended statements of case.
Court can deal with the application without a hearing if the parties consent to this.
Once permission is granted, amended statements should be filed within 14 days and copies served on all parties.
The court is generally harsh on late amendments to statement of case. When might the court allow this?
Swain-Mason v Mills & Reeve [2011] - If there was some late disclosure or new evidence
When can the court allow parties to be added/substituted to a claim if the limitation period for bringing that claim has expired?
If the limitation period was current when the proceedings began;
AND
The addition/substitution was necessary…
e.g., name in the claim form was a mistake, claim cannot be properly carried on without substitution, OG party died or went bankrupt.
Before applying to the court, what should a party do if they intend to make a request for further information? (Part 18 Request)
Attempt to obtain the information voluntarily from the other party before applying to the court.
If you intend to object to a Part 18 Request, on what grounds can you do this?
Relevance
Proportionality
Privilege
When making a Part 18 Request for further information, what matters for further information can be requested?
Matters which are reasonably necessary for a party to prepare their own/understand their opponent’s case.
If a claimant receives a counterclaim, do they need to file a defence?
Yes, within 14 days of the counterclaims’ service as failure to respond can result in default judgment being entered against them.
What is a “reply” and when can/should it be used?
An optional and final statement of case.
Used by the claimant to allege facts in response to the defence not included within the initial claim.
When responding to a claim where you intend to dispute the court’s jurisdiction, what should you do?
File an acknowledgement of service indicating jurisdiction is disputed.
Make a separate application to the court within 14 days disputing jurisdiction.
Do NOT file a defence.
When a deadline specifies X amount of days, which days do not count for counting time purposes?
Where the period specified is less than 5 days, Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays do not count
If a claim arises from an accident abroad, or 1+ of the defendants are outside the jurisdiction, what is the timescale for the defendants’ response?
According to the Pre-Action Protocol for Personal Injury claims, defendants have 42 days to acknowledge a letter of claim and 6 months to confirm positions on liability.
If part of a settlement is to remain confidential, what order should be drafted and sent to the court?
A Tomlin Order.
It has the public part (identical to other consent orders) and the private schedule attached.
What does a Tomlin Order allow for in settlement agreements?
It enables unusual agreement terms to be agreed and enforced in the settlement (i.e., those that a court could not grant).
What is the maximum amount a solicitor can recover from a client with a damages-based agreement?
50% of the damages.
35% in employment tribunals.
25% in personal injury.
When might an interim payment be granted by the court?
Defendant has admitted liability to pay damages to the claimant.
Claimant has obtained judgment against defendant for damages to be assessed.
Court is satisfied that if the claim goes to trial, the claimant would obtain judgment for a substantial amount of money.