3. Statements of case/ Particulars of Claim Flashcards
What if an issue is not stated in the statement of case
court usually does not allow a party to pursue such issues that are not included Royal Brompton v Hammond/ grant a relief that is not stated Whalley v PF
What are statements of case
Formal docs in which parties concisely and precisely set out their respective cases
What is the aim of statement of case
Identify issues to be determined
2.3 defines a statement of case as
a claim form, particulars of claim where these are not included in a claim form, defence, part 20 claim
b) includes any further information given in relation to them voluntarily or by court order under r18.1
What is the defendants statement of case called
a defence
WHere are the rules for statements of case contained in
Part 16 CPR
Key tenet of a statement of case
must be concise, pleading only the material facts, for the purposes of formulating a cause of action/defence (not background facts or evidence) Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton
Are the contents of a statement of case evidence at trial
No- Arena property services v Europa. Statement of case is not meant to contain evidence
PD 16, para 1.3
Statement of case to be concise- where it exceeds 25 pages, appropriate short summary to be filed
PD 16, para 12.2
A party may
1) Refer to any point of law
2) Give the name of any witness they propose to call
- no need to state relevant law generally unless it would cause the court to speculate upon relevance in law of purely factual narrative
What is the extent to which witnesses ought to be named
excessive factual details unnecessary, party can state name of any witness he proposes to call
can a party attach any documents to the statement of case?
documents they consider necessary to their claim/defence where it is of critical importance and necessary
PD 5A, 2.2
specifies formalities documents must undertake for filing/use at court
Para 5.33
Principles to be followed
in whose name must statement be signed by if prepared by solicitor PD 5A, 2.1
statement of case prepared by solicitor is to be signed in the firm’s name
Para 1.4 SRA
solicitor must not mislead/attempt to mislead the court or be complicit in the misleading acts of others
How can a solicitor draft statement of case without misleading others
Only making assertions and putting forward statements that are properly arguable
What if cl files a statement which is erroneous and would mislead court
Solicitor advise cl to amend case and if they refuse, solicitor to cease acting for the cl
Para 6.3
Duty of confidentiality- solicitor should not inform court of reasons for ceasing to act for cl
What must a particulars of claim include r16.4?
a) a concise statement of facts on which the claimant relies
b) if the claimant is seeking interest, a statement to that effect and the details set out in para 2
Primary function of particulars
State facts concisely upon which claimant relies
state all facts necessary to show they have a complete cause of action
What if the material facts on the particulars conflict with those in witness statements?
May prove fatal to the claim/cast significant doubt upon it Puharic v Silverbond Enterprises