2. Civil Case Analysis Flashcards
What is the overriding objective?
r1.1 Dealing with a case justly and at proportionate cost
R1.2
The court must seek to give effect to the overriding objective when it exercises any power given to it by the rules
R1.3
The parties are required to help the court to further the overriding objective
Does the duty to assist the court to further the overriding objective mean that a party owes a duty to another party?
NO- woodward v phoenix healthcare distribution
What duty is imposed upon the court according to rule 1.4
The court has a duty to further the overriding objective by actively managing cases
What is a vulnerable witness?
When a factor- personal or situational, permanent or temporary may adversely affect their participation in proceedings or the giving of evidence
Court’s role in relation to vulnerable witnesses
The court should try to identify the vulnerability at the earliest possible stage of proceedings & consider whether a party’s participation or quality of evidence is likely to be diminished by reason of vulnerability
Things to consider regarding vulnerable witnesses
- Are they vulnerable (should be identified early on)?
- Will their participation or giving of evidence be diminished?
- Is it necessary to make directions to further the overriding objective?
- Should the court order ground rules prior to giving of evidence?
Potential ground rules for vulnerable witnesses
- Nature and extent of evidence
- Conduct of advocates/parties
- Any necessary support to be actioned for that person
How is Cross examination of a witness different from that of a vulnerable witness
Reflected in claim forms (7.2.1.6 and Appendix A(1) Directions Questionnaire (9.5.1.9) and Appendix A(7) and an application notice (10.2 and Appendix A12)
Client objectives
- What does the client want?
- Compensation, Apology, Day in court
- Is the damage recoverable?
- Is it too late to claim a remedy?
- Is a dispute damaging the cl’s business?
- Is maintaining a business relationship with the other side important?
Prospective parties
- Who will constitute all potential parties?
- Any issues of professional conduct?
- Is the defendant worth pursuing?
Evidence
- Collect relevant evidence
- Never delay taking a statement (proof of evidence) from cl and potential witnesses
Costs
What are the legal costs, how are they calculated, how will they be paid for?
Limitation/jurisdiction
When does the limitation period expire? Note this
For commercial disputes, does the contract provide for litigation to be conducted
Dispute Resolution
- Which form of DR is most appropriate?
- What are the advantages/disadvantages of the viable options
- Manage cl expectations
- Ensure cl receives a full assessment of the merits of their case
Pre Action protocols
- What steps should `parties take before commencing a case?
- What issues are in dispute, share info available to each of them & endeavour to resolve the matters
- Do pre-action protocols apply?
ADR
- Enter discussions or negotiations prior to proceedings
- Give serious consideration to any suitable form of available ADR
- r1.4(2)(e) - active case management requires encouraging ADR procedure
Standard letter before claim
- Potential Cl should send potential D a letter detailing the claim
- If approved protocol exists, it is to be followed, otherwise see appendix A(19) Practice Direction
- Enough info to be given so D can commence investigations and valuate the claim
- Prospective claimant should set out any proposals they have
Response letter
D acknowledgement of safe receipt of letter, whether liability is admitted
reasons to be given if denied
- Where primary liability is admitted, but contributory negligence is alleged details should be provided
- Cl should respond to any allegations
- Should ADR be addressed
How do proceedings initiate
Via claim form served on d
What else must be served to d
Full details (particulars) must be served
How can D contest the claim
D must file at court and serve a defence on Cl
Intermediate track
Trial will not last longer than 3 days. Any oral evidence is likely to be limited to 2 experts per party. CLaim must be brought by 1 cl against one or 2 defendants or 2 cl against one defendant
Fast track
Court controls the type and amount of evidence each party can rely on. Expectation that a single joint expert should be used by the parties where expert evidence is necessary and the trial must be conducted within 1 day (~5 hours)
Small claims
Expectation that directions can be given without court hearing
Intermediate & multi-track
- Parties to meet with judge in case management conference to define issues and determine steps to be taken & when, for trial
- Most commonly for:
- Standard disclosure (parties list docs in their possession they intend to rely on/those adverse to their case/support an opponents case)
- Exchange of evidence before trial the parties intend to rely on (expert reports, witness statements, non expert witnesses)
All other tracks
- Formal evidence rules apply
- Judge will decide if any party should pay the others’ costs, and if so, the amount recoverable is fixed by CPR part 45
- On multi, judge decides who should pay the costs (general rule: loser pays the winner’s)
- If undetermined, determined post-trial by a different costs judge
Post trial
- A party may decide to appeal all/part of the decision
- Party awarded damages will expect to be paid by the date set by the court.
- If that does not happen, application for court to enforce judgment → bailiff’s selling belongings at a public auction. Proceeds are then paid for to the party
What is a cause of action
Legal basis of a claim
What must a solicitor do relating to cases
analyse all known facts and prospects of success
Purpose of first interview
- Identification of Cl objectives
- Explanation of issues & options to cl
- Agree upon next steps
- Keep Cl informed of progress
Retainer
The scope of the work to be done for the cl
Duty of confidentiality (6.3 SRA)
- Cl affairs are confidential (unless consent has been obtained on disclosure of particular info)
- Duty continues past retainer
Conflict of interest (6.2 SRA)
If the solicitor owes separate duties to act in the best interests of two or more clients in relation to the same or related matters, and these duties conflict or there is a significant risk that those duties may conflict
Money Laundering
- Solicitors are subject to money laundering legislation
- Adequate checks must be done to check cl’s identity
What are a Solicitors duty as an officer of the court
- Overriding duty not to mislead the court
- Disclosure of all relevant legal authorities (statute, case law) even where they are not favourable to their case
- Duty to help the court achieve the overriding objective
Important facts in relation to funding
Important to discuss costs with Cl
- As much info at start- give regular updates
- Explanation of potential steps
- Discuss potential costs/ceiling figure/review dates
- Cl to be informed HOW the costs are calculated
- Who is going to do the work?
- Hourly charging rate of person doing work
When can solicitors be charged a fixed fee
For a specific step in litigation (drafting court docs, attending a hearing)
How must solicitors base their costs on?
At a reasonable but remunerative level
What if a solicitor sets a fixed fee that is too low?
- Must still complete the work to the ordinary standard of care even if has become unrenumerative
- Inventors Friend Ltd v Leathers Prior
What if a solicitor does not update Cl regularly regarding costs?
- Bound by original estimate of costs
- Reynolds v Stone Rowe Brewer
Rule 44.2(2)(a) CPR
Unsuccessful party in litigation will be ordered to pay the costs of the successful party
What if defendant is bankrupt or disappears?
Cl to be informed in advance that even if they win, they may not be able to recover costs
Can the court reduce costs?
- Court, if they deem successful party to have been unreasonable, can do so
- Benyatov v Credit Suisse Securities