3. Statements of Case & Interim Applications Flashcards
What are statements of case?
The first documents that are served between the parties and are served in sequence.
What are the specific formal documents served which are known as ‘statements of case’?
- claim form
- particulars of claim
- defence
- reply to defence
What two documents start the process?
claim form and particulars of claim
If a case is contested what will be filed?
a defence by the defendant
What does the claimant file after receiving defence?
a reply
What can the defendant file after receiving a reply and what does it triggers?
A counter claim which triggers the claimant needing to serve a defence to the counterclaim.
What must any party to proceedings serve if they require additional details of another party’s case?
PART 18 - A request for further information
A response to the request must be served.
What should a solicitor do if they discover a material error in the statement of case?
There is a possible effect of misleading the court.
To avoid, solicitor should advise client to amend the statement of case.
If client refuses, solicitor must cease to act but should not inform the court or any other party why.
What should only be included in statements of case?
- material facts
- facts relevant to case (no background)
- reference to point of law claim/defence is based on
- naming witnesses parties may call
- documents necessary to claim/defence
What is the rule on subsequent statements of case?
must not contradict or be inconsistent with an earlier one
What is the purpose of subsequent statements of case?
Court will allow a party to pursue an issue/claim/remedy not stated in the statement of case.
What is the structure and content of a claim form ?
- Heading
- Parties
- Brief Details of the Claim
- Statement of Value
- Preferred County Court Hearing Centre
- Defendant’s Address for Service
- Particulars of claim (less complex)
- Statement of Truth
- Address for Service
What is the information required in the ‘Heading’ section of a claim form?
- insert details of the relevant court
- court will assign claim number
- date of issue will be inserted
What is the information required in the ‘Parties’ section of a claim form?
- check D’s name + full address + postcode is correct to avoid striking out
- specific rules for describing individuals, sole traders, partnerships, and companies
What is the information required in the ‘Brief details of claim’ section of a claim form?
- concise statement
- nature of claim + remedy sought
What is the information required in the ‘Statement of Value’ section of a claim form?
- Specified claims: amount claims plus interest
- Unspecified claims: in County Court, must state if <£10k, OR >£10 but <£25k, OR >£25k, OR cannot say.
- Court fee payable on issue is based to the Statement of Value (up to max. £10,000)
What is the information required in the ‘Preferred County Court Hearing Centre’ section of a claim form?
- claimant names court to issue claim in
- court can transfer claim after issuing
What is the information required in the ‘Defendant’s Address for service’ section of a claim form?
- D’s title + full name + address + postcode
OR - solicitor’s details if instructed to accept service on D’s behalf.
What is the information required in the ‘Particulars of Claim’ section of a claim form?
- details of the claim
- if complex, POC can be separate to fit in all details required.
What is the information required in the ‘Statement of Truth’ section of a claim form?
- confirmation that facts stated are true
- must be signed by claimant or solicitor
What is the information required in the ‘Address of Service’ section of a claim form?
claimant or solicitor’s address
What is the structure and content of a Particulars of Claim Form (contract and tort)?
- Parties & status
- Facts
- Contract terms / Relevant Duty of Care
- Alleged breach
- Consequences of breach (contract) OR Causation (tort)
- Damages
- Interest
- Statement of Truth
If C alleges breach of contract, what will the POC deal with?
essential material facts that will establish the cause of action.
What informaton is included about the status of the parties in a POC?
Breach of Contract
- who the parties are
- confirmaton of their status (e.g. business)
What informaton is included about the facts/events in a POC?
Breach of Contract
- chronological events (material facts only)
- may include pre-contractual matters if they assist in establishing the claim.
What informaton is included about the contract terms in a POC?
Breach of Contract
- existence of a contract must be established
- date + type (written/oral) + parties + subject matter + and consideration)
- material terms (implied and expressed)
- if written, attach contractual documents
- if oral, include contractual words used, parties who used them, when and where they were spoken
What informaton is included about the breach alleged and particularised in a POC?
Breach of Contract
- specify which terms were breached and how
- first breach is alleged generally THEN
- under ‘PARTICULARS OF BREACH’ heading itemise/list exact details of alleged breach.
for particulars usually it explains what went wrong
What informaton is included about the consequences of breach in a POC?
Breach of Contract
- continutation of chronological events
- result of breach
What informaton is included about the damages/loss alleged and particularised in a POC?
Breach of Contract
- first loss alleged generally
- then itemised, showing what is being claimed and how it is calculated.
What informaton is included about claiming interest in a POC?
Breach of contract
for damages or repayment of debt court may award interest on sum outstanding, as long as it is claimed.
In breach of contract cases, what are three alternative ways of claiming interest on outstanding sum?
as opposed to claiming interest for damages or repayment of debt.
- rate specified in contract
- under statute (s 35, s69, commercial debt only)
- court’s discretion
For commercial debts, what are the rules on claiming interest and the rate?
- 8% per annum above the Bank of England’s base rate, on the date the debt became due for payment.
- C also entitled to a small statutory compensation for inconvenience of debt recovery.
How is interest claimed for unspecified claims for damages?
- Under s35 - high court (claims above 100k or 50k PI)
- Under s69 - county court (claims below 100k or 50k PI)
How is interest calculated for specified claims?
Breach of Contract
- as a lump sum for the amount that has accrued from date of breach up to date of issue of proceedings
- PLUS a daily rate to easily provide an updated total.
Interest on Specified Claims Calculation
Breach of Contract
Example:
* Outstanding sum: £13,000
* Date of breach: 12 September
* Date of issue of the proceedings: 31 October
* Contract rate: 20%
C is entitled to interest on £13,000 for 50 days
Daily rate: (13k) x (20%) ÷ 365 days (rounded down)
* £7.12
Interest to claim: £356.00
What is the effect of the daily rate on interest for specified claims?
Breach of Contract
Daily rate is added to the outstanding balance for each day that passes up until judgment is awarded.
When calculating the daily rate for interest on specified claims, what is the first and last day?
Breach of Contract
First day: date of breach
Last day: Date of issue of proceedings
If C alleges negligence, what will the POC deal with?
essential material facts that will establish duty, breach, causation, and loss.
What interest on damages can be awarded?
Tort of Negligence
Court has discretion to award interest on damages in any negligence claim in accordance with relevant statute for High Court claims and County Court claims.
When is interest calculated/awarded from?
Tort of Negligence
From when the loss was sustained.
For damages alleged, what must be set put in the POC for specified and unspecified claims?
Tort of Negligence
- Specified: set out nature and amount of losses
- Unspecified: indicate the range of damages sought
What is the purpose of the defence?
to highlight what issues are in dispute
What must a defence state for each allegation claimed?
whether it is:
* denied
* not admitted OR
* admitted
Where a defendant denies an allegation, what must they state?
- their reasons for doing so; and
- their own verison of events if different from that given by the claimant.
When is a non-admission in a defence made?
where the defendant has no knowledge of the particular matter alleged.
What is the effect of denial and non-admission in a defence?
The claimant will need to prove the allegation.
What is the effect of missing an allegation?
triggers rule of implied admissions + deemed to be accepted
When drafting the defence, what are the contents included to be CPR compliant?
- the name of the court;
- the claim number;
- the parties;
- the title (DEFENCE);
- the date and signature of solicitors in the name of the firm;
- the statement of truth; and
- details of who is to be served and where
If D alleged that limitation period has expired, what must they do?
- D must include details of this in the defence
- Burden of proof sh
If D alleged that limitation period has expired, who must prove this?
Burden of proof is on the claimant to show that the claim is not time-barred.
If D alleged that limitation period has expired, in what instances will the burden of proof be on them?
- contributory negligence; and
- a failure by the claimant to mitigate its loss
When does a classic counterclaim arise?
CPR 20.4
when the defendant is alleging they have their own cause of action against the claimant.
When is a counterclaim relevant?
CPR 20.4
will be relevant if the defendant has actually suffered loss that is attributable to the claimant.
treated as if it were a claim
What are the elements of a classic counterclaim?
how to start + permission + no reponse + set-off
How to Start: include in defence.
Permission: not required unless defence has been filed.
No Response: can apply for default judgment.
Set-Off: if successful can reduce the amount awarded to C by counterclaim amount.
What is an additional claim?
Defendant makes an additional claim for a contribution, indemnity, or another remedy against any person whether or not they are an existing party.
When can a claim for an indemnity arise?
- Indemnity claim can result from a contractual relationship.
- Third party obligated by terms of the contract to indemnify the defendant if they’re found liable.
- Indemnity claims can also arise through statute.
When can a claim for contribution arise?
CPR 20.6
- Contribution claim is possible with joint wrongdoers.
- Defendant argues third party is partially responsible for claimant’s harm.
What are the elements of an additional claim for contribution?
how to start + requirement + permission + no response
How to Start: serve contribution notice with defence.
Requirement: obligation to pay.
Permission: only after defence has been filed.
No Response: deemed to admit claim.
What is an additional claim for third party contribution?
CPR 20.7
Defendant brings an additional claim against an existing party and a third party.
What are the elements of an additional claim for third party contribution?
how to start + requirement + permission + no response
How to Start: issue a claim form.
Requirement: obligation to pay.
Permission: only after defence has been filed.
No Response: deemed to admit claim.
When is a reply to defence used?
- Used by claimant to respond to matters in the defence
- To address issues not covered in the particulars of claim
Is a claimant obliged to file a reply to defence?
No
What is the time limit on filing a defence to counterclaim?
- claimant must file within 14 days
- unless agreed extension up to 28 days with defendant
if missed: judgment in default