4a. Disputes Flashcards
Methods of dispute resolution
What are the four processes for resolving disputes?
- Litigation
- Negotiation
- Arbitration
- Mediation
Methods of dispute resolution
What does the fact negotiations are without prejudice mean?
Conversations cannot be relied on by parties or referred to in courts
Methods of dispute resolution
To keep in line with the overriding objective, which requires cases be resolved in a proportionate, expeditious and fair matter, how should ADR be considered?
- Lawyers should make their clients aware of it
- Possibility of ADR should be considered throughout a proceeding
Methods of dispute resolution
If a party considers ADR inappropriate, but does not set out their reasons, what can the court do?
- Increase the amount of costs/interest to be paid
- Decrease the amount of costs/interest to be received
applies to failure to follow CPR generally
OR, stay proceedings until the relevant steps (which have not been complied with are taken).
Methods of dispute resolution
What are the five key features of mediation?
- Parties can walk away at any time
- Strict rules of evidence don’t apply
- Non-binding until final written agreement is signed
- Confidential
- Promotes amicable solution
Pre-action considerations: limitation
What is the limitation period for:
(1) breach of contractual/tortious claims
(2) personal injury and fatal accident claims
- Six years from cause of action
- Three years from cause of action / date of knowledge of injured / dependent
Pre-action considerations: limitation
What is the long stop limitation for latent (hidden) defects?
Fifteen years
Pre-action considerations: limitation
In a tort action, when does the limitation period begin running?
Generally, from the date the cause of action accrues, i.e. when the tort occurs
Pre-action considerations: limitation
In a tort action where the claimant’s injury is not apparent, when does the limitation period begin running?
When the claimant first gains knowledge that they have a claim
Pre-action considerations: limitation
In a tort action, when is the date of knowledge considered to be?
Does the C need to know the precise details?
Point at which C had sufficient knowledge of all the facts to commence investigations into the potential claim against D
No, sufficient information is enough
Pre-action considerations: limitation
In a tort action, the date of knowledge does not occur until the claimant has knowledge of what four things?
In addition to knowing they have an injury, what must a C know?
- That the injury is significant
- That it is attributable in whole or part to the act or omission alleged
- Knowledge of the defendant
- Identity of any other actors if it is they who did the conduct, not D (e.g. hospital/doctor situation)
Causation, i.e. that the injury arose from a negligent act or omission of an identified defendant
Pre-action considerations: limitation
In a tort action, what are the two options for the limitation period if the injured party dies within three years of the accrual date?
Three years from:
- Date of death, or
- Date of knowledge of the deceased’s personal representative
Pre-action considerations: limitation
In a contract action, when does the limitation period begin running?
On the date of breach
Pre-action considerations: limitation
Where there’s a latent defect, what limitation period is available in addition to the general rule of six years from the date of accrual?
Three years from the earliest date on which the claimant knew or ought reasonably to have known material facts necessary to bring an action
Pre-action considerations: limitation
Is it possible to expressly shorten a limitation period in a contract?
Yes, subject to the reasonableness requirements under UCTA 1977
Pre-action considerations: limitation
Procedurally, when does time (1) begin to run relative to the date the cause of action accrues and (2) stop running?
- The day after the date of accrual
- When C delivers the claim form to the court together with the appropriate fee
Pre-action considerations: limitation
What occurs if the limitation period expires on a day when the court office is closed?
Action will still be on time as long as the documents/fee are filed on the next business day
Pre-action considerations: limitation
Is it possible to add a new party to proceedings after the limitation period has expired?
No, unless an application to disapply the limitation period is made to the court
Pre-action considerations: limitation
After the expiry of the limitation period, is it possible to amend the name of a mistakenly spelled/identified defendant in proceedings which were originally filed on time?
Yes
Pre-action considerations: limitation
When does the limitation period begin to run where a claimant is a minor?
On their 18th birthday
Pre-action considerations: limitation
When does the limitation period begin to run where a claimant lacks capacity at the time of accrual?
If a claimant has capacity at the time of accrual and subsequently loses capacity, is the clock paused?
When they are certified as being of sound mind
No
Pre-action considerations: limitation
When does the limitation period begin to run in cases of (1) fraud or concealment or (2) relief from the consequences of a mistake?
When C discovers the fraud/concealment or mistake, or could have done so with reasonable diligence
Pre-action considerations: protocols and applications
What is the purpose of the pre-action protocols?
Do protocols have the same status as Civil Procedure rules?
To focus the parties on trying to settle the dispute without litigation
No, protocols are not rules
Pre-action considerations: protocols and applications
Where no specific protocol exists, what will the courts expect a litigant to follow, and what four things does it require?
Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct and Protocols
- C sends letter before claim with concise details of claim attaching key docs
- D sends letter of response within a reasonable time (14 days if straightforward case; no more than 3 months if complex) attaching key docs
- C replies and parties consider negotiation, ADR and appointment of expert(s)
- Parties take stock before issuing proceedings