8. Statements of Case Flashcards

1
Q

What is the purpose of a Statement of Case and what must it provide to be adequate?

A

The purpose is to provide an outline of the party’s case on liability, causation, and quantum.

To be adequate, it must provide details of the cause of action, the exact nature of allegations, and the financial consequences.

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2
Q

In a claim arising from a road traffic accident, what should always be pleaded if relevant, and why?

A

Details of any criminal conviction relating the same offence, as failure to raise this will lead to objections from defendant when you try to further on

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3
Q

What two other things should be in the Particulars in a tort case?

A
  1. Details of injury, with medical records
  2. Schedule of past and future loss
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4
Q

What must a claimaint do when they are claiming interest on damages?

A
  1. State the basis for the claim, i.e., contract, statute
  2. State the % interest rate if the claim is for a specified sum
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5
Q

What eight things must a claimant include in the Particulars if they wish to rely on them?

A
  1. Allegations of fraud
  2. Illegality
  3. Misrepresentation
  4. Breach of trust
  5. Knowledge of a fact
  6. Unsoundness of mind or undue influence
  7. Willful deceit
  8. Defendant’s failure to mitigate loss
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6
Q

If a defendant wishes to defend a claim, on whom must they serve the defence?

A

Every other party to the claim

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7
Q

What are the three ways in which a defendant can respond to each of the paragraphs in the particulars?

A
  1. Admit
  2. Deny
  3. Non-admission
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8
Q

What occurs when defendant admits a paragraph, and what is the consequence of failing to respond?

A

The paragraph is no longer in dispute and the claimant does not have to prove it.

Failure to respond means a paragraph is deemed admitted

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9
Q

What must a defendant do if they deny a paragraph?

A

State reasons for doing so, and set out an alternate version of events

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10
Q

When may a defendant neither admit nor deny a paragraph?

A

When the facts alleged in the paragraph are outside the defendant’s knowledge

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11
Q

What happens when the defendant admits damages but denies liability?

A

They are admitting a damages sum, but it will only be payable if the court finds the claim is proved

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12
Q

What must the defendant do if they raise a limitation issue in the defence?

A

State the date on which the defendant alleges the limitation period expired, with the reasons why

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13
Q

What is set off, and what type of claims is it most common in?

A

Where a claimant sues defendant, but defendant is owed money by the claimant, they may apply to have the amount of damages they will have to pay set off by the amount owed to them.

Most common in debt claims.

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14
Q

What is a reply, is it mandatory, and when will it typically be used?

A

A reply is an optional response sent by claimant to defendant, usually only if something has been raised in the defence which requires a response

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15
Q

Can the reply be used to rectify mistakes or omissions from the Particulars of Claim?

A

No. It can only be used to deal with points raised in the defence which were not covered by the Particulars

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16
Q

What are the four types of claim available to a defendant under Part 20?

A
  1. Counterclaim
  2. Claim against another person
  3. Claim seeking contribution or indemnity
  4. Counterclaim against another third party
17
Q

What are the four key features/requirements of a counterclaim?

A
  1. Brought by existing defendant against the claimant
  2. Arises out of the same or substantially the same facts as the claimant’s claim against defendant
  3. Monetary claim in its own right
  4. Is not a defence
18
Q

When will the defendant not require court permission to file a counterclaim, and when will they need court permission?

A

Does not need court permission if counterclaim is filed with defence.

Does need court permission if filed at any other time.

19
Q

What are three features of a claim against a third party under Part 20?

A
  1. New party will be called a third party
  2. Application can be made without notice, unless directed otherwise
  3. Particulars of the new claim must be contained in or served with the claim (no option for them to follow as with an initial claim)
20
Q

When will the defendant not require court permission to file a claim against a third party, and when will they need court permission?

A

Does not need court permission if claim is issued at or before the defence is filed.

Does need court permission if filed at any other time.

Same as counterclaim.

21
Q

What is a claim seeking contribution or indemnity under Part 20?

A

Notice served on another party that they must pay the serving party some or all of the payment the serving party is ordered to pay the claimant

22
Q

When will the defendant not require court permission to file a claim seeking contribution or indemnity, and when will they need court permission?

A

Does not need court permission if claim is filed and served with defence OR claim is against third party who was not added to the claim until later in the action, and that party is served within 28 days of filing their defence.

Does need court permission if filed at any other time, subject to that one late third party exception.

23
Q

What is a counterclaim against a third party under Part 20?

A

A defendant may bring an additional claim against a person against whom the defendant has a monetary claim arising out of the same facts as the main action, where the third party is not already a party to the case

24
Q

What is always required for a counterclaim against a third party under Part 20?

A

A court order

25
Q

How is an additional Part 20 claim served in cases where permission is not required?

A

It is served on each party to the claim when the defence is filed

26
Q

How is an additional Part 20 claim served if issued later than the defence?

A

It must be served on the person against whom it is made with 14 days

27
Q

Within what timescale of service must a defence to a counterclaim be served, and what is the consequence of failing to do so?

A

Within 14 days of service of the counterclaim. Failing that, the original defendant can obtain judgment on the counterclaim

28
Q

Where additional claims are brought by the defendant, what must the additional party do where (1) they are already a party to the case, and (2) they are not already a party to the case?

A
  1. File a defence, if already a party
  2. File an acknowledge and/or defence, if not already a party
29
Q

How should you consider a counterclaim from a process and timing perspective?

A

Think of it in the same way as a standard claim from the perspective of timing, filing requirements, and the availability of default judgment

30
Q

If a party wishes to make a request for information from the other side, do they need to go through the court for this?

A

Only if the party does not adequately respond

31
Q

If a party objects to responding for a request for information, what should they provide?

A

Reasons why

32
Q

In the context of a request for information, when will the court have a hearing to consider the matter, and when will they consider the matter without a hearing?

A

No hearing: Party has not responded at all
Hearing: all other situations

33
Q

What are five grounds for objecting to a request for information?

A
  1. Unnecessary, irrelevant, or improper
  2. Unable to provide information/clarification
  3. Insufficient time to reply
  4. Disproportionately expensive to reply
  5. Privilege
34
Q

What is a required for a request for information to be relevant?

A

It must relate to matters which are disputed by the parties

35
Q

What is required to amend a Statement of Case before it has been served, and after it has been served?

A

Before: can be amended at any time without permission
After: written consent of all parties or court permission required

36
Q

If an application is made to add a party to the case, what are the two considerations the court will give, either of which is enough?

A
  1. Desirable to add the new party, so the court can resolve all matters in dispute or
  2. Issue involving the new party and an existing party which is connected to the matters in dispute, and it is desirable to add to resolve this
37
Q

What are the two requirements which must be satisfied for a court to grant an application substituting a party?

A
  1. Existing party’s interest or liability has passed to the new party (e.g. assignment, merger) and
  2. Desirable to substitute the new party, so the court can resolve all matters in dispute
38
Q

What is required to add or substitute a party after the limitation period has expired?

A
  1. Relevant limitation period must have been live when proceedings were started, and
  2. The addition or substitution is necessary
39
Q

In determining whether to add or substitute a party after the limitation period has expired, what three things will the court consider (one of which is enough) in determining whether the addition or substitution is necessary?

A
  1. New party is being substituted for someone who was named in the claim form by mistake
  2. Claim cannot properly be carried on against the original party, or
  3. Original party has died or had a bankruptcy order made against them