Criminal Litigation + Dispute Resolution Flashcards
What is the max. remand period for a D in a Magistrates’ Court?
8 days or 28 days if a date is set for the next stage of proceedings.
Define bail
Release of a D subject to surrendering to the court or police station at a specified time, pending trial
Define a caution (police sentencing powers)
Penalty imposed by the police for minor offences where the accused admits the offence and agrees to be cautioned.
Not a criminal conviction but can be used as evidence of bad character.
Do Ds have the right to appeal to the Crown Court after making an application in the Court of Appeal?
No.
Right of appeal to Crown Court is lost once application is made in Court of Appeal.
However, sentence may still be appealed to Crown Court and conviction appealed by way of case stated.
Role of an appropriate adult
Responsible for welfare and support of the vulnerable client.
Outcomes of bail
- Conditional bail
- Withhold bail
- Bail granted
Plea in mitigation
Made by defence prior to sentencing to argue for a reduced sentence.
They will focus on factors that may lessen severity of punishment (e.g. mitigating circumstances, remorse)
Gateways for admitting bad character evidence (s 101(1) Criminal Justice Act 2003)
- Agreement by all parties
- Evidence adduced by D
- Important explanatory evidence
- Relevant to important matter in issue between prosecution and defence
- Substantial probative value in relation to a matter between co-Ds
- Correction of false impression by D
- D attacked another’s character
Sale of Goods Act 1979
- Must match any description applied by the seller
- Be of satisfactory quality
- Be fit for any particular purpose made known to the seller by the buyer
Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982
- Must match any description applied by the seller
- Be of satisfactory quality
- Be fit for any particular purpose made known to the seller by the buyer
PLUS
- Be carried out within a reasonable time if no time is agreed
- Be carried out with reasonable care and skill
Consumer Rights Act 2015
- Must match any description applied by the seller
- Be of satisfactory quality
- Be fit for any particular purpose made known to the seller by the buyer
PLUS
- Be carried out within a reasonable time if no time is agreed
- Be carried out with reasonable care and skill
PLUS
- Completed in accordance with any information which the consumer relies upon
- Completed for a reasonable price if no price has been agreed
Part 36 offer mandatory requirements
- In writing
- State whether it takes into account any counterclaim
- Specify a period of at least 21 days
- State whether it relates to the whole of the claim or part of it
- Make clear it is pursuant to Part 36
Part 36 offer
- Formal offers to settle an action
- Has significant costs consequences if they are rejected- important tactical tool
- Without prejudice save as to costs- not disclosable to any third party
- May be made at any time
- Not an admission of liability
Consequences of Part 36 offer when accepted by either party
- Claim is stayed
- D pays C’s costs to date of acceptance on standard basis
Consequences of Part 36 offer where C makes offer and rejected by D
C loses = no costs consequences, C will have to pay for D’s costs
C wins but less than offer = no costs consequences
C wins same or more = D pays C’s costs on indemnity basis plus enhanced interest + damages plus interest
Consequences of Part 36 offer where D makes offer and rejected by C
C loses = C pays for D’s costs
C wins more than offer = no costs consequences
C wins same or less = D to pay C’s costs until end of relevant period, C to pay D’s costs plus interest from end of relevant period
Youth Court orders
Referral order: max. 12 months
Rehabilitation order: max. 3 years
Detention and training order: max. 2 years
Criteria for an interim injunction
Test in American Cyanamid
1. Is there a serious issue to be tried?
2. Are damages an adequate remedy?
3. What is the balance of convenience?
Duty of care
Claimant must prove:
1. Duty of care
2. Breach
3. Causation
4. Damages
Application for an injunction
- Can be made with or without notice
- Must include draft order supported by evidence explaining why the injunction is necessary
Purpose of interim payment
To alleviate hardship for C caused by delay in the litigation process
Steps to pursue a claim
- Writing a letter before claim
- If settlement cannot be reached, pursue claim in courts
Takes a while, will not prevent immediate harm so not a good short-term solution
Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 (Visitors)
Occupier must take reasonable care to ensure that visitors are safe
- Not if visitor enters area they are not permitted to enter
- More care should be taken for children
Occupiers’ Liability Act 1984 (non-visitors)
Occupier may be liable for injuries suffered by non-visitors where:
1. occupier is aware of a dangerous condition of their property or has reasonable grounds to believe that it exists
2. occupier reasonably knows a non-visitor is in the vicinity of the danger
3. the risk is one the occupier is expected to guard against