Dispute Resolution Flashcards
What are the characteristics of arbitration?
One or more arbitrators
Make a decision on the merits of the case
Binding on all parties
Parties must have agreed to arbitration
What are the advantages of arbitration?
It is private and confidential
Cheaper and quicker than litigation
Parties choose the arbitrator
Decision will be imposed on the parties
What are the disadvantages of arbitration?
Difficult to challenge or appeal the decision
No public hearings
What is mediation?
Where a third party assists the negotiations between two or more persons in a dispute to help them arrive at a solution
What are the advantages of mediation?
Private and Confidential
High success rate
Party control
Flexibility
What are the disadvantages of mediation?
Wasted resources of no decision reached
Settlement not guaranteed
What is the limitation period for contract claim?
Six years from the date at which the cause of action accrued (date of breach of contract)
What is the limitation period for a tort claim?
six years from when the individual suffers damage or if this expires then three years from when the damage is uncovered
What is the limitation period for a personal injury claim?
Three years from the date of damage suffered or date of the individual knowing damage is suffered
What is the limitation period for a child or disabled person?
There are no limitation periods until the disability ends or until child becomes an adult
What is the first step in pre-action protocol?
Claimant must send a letter of claim to defendant
When should the defendant respond to a letter of claim?
Not more than 14 days in a simple case and no later than 3 months in a complex case
What are the consequences of failing to follow pre-action protocols?
Directions on costs and case management
When may a claim be started in the High Court?
If it the claim is worth more than £100,000 is may be started in the High Court
When must a claim be started in the County Court?
Claims worth £100,000 or less MUST be started in the County Court
Where should personal injury claims be heard?
If the claim is worth £50,000 or more then it should be started in the High Court.
If it is less than £50,000 then it should be heard in the County Court
What are the requirements for sending a case to the High Court if it meets the financial threshold?
Complexity of the case
Financial value of the claim
Public Interest
When must a claim form be served after being issued?
Must be served within 4 months of being issued
When is a claim form deemed to be issued?
After being stamped
When can the court add or remove a party after the limitation period has ended?
If the limitation period was current when proceedings had started and the addition or substitution is necessary
Who can be added as a claimant?
No-one can be added or substituted as a claimant unless they have given their consent in writing and this has been filed at court
When must the claim form for be served outside UK jurisdiction?
Claim form must be served within 6 months of being issued
When is a claim form deemed served?
Second business day after completion of the relevant step (regardless of method of service)
What should you do if you are unsure of the defendants address?
Think of an alternative place of method for service to be effected
If the particulars of claim are not served alongside the claim form, when must they be served?
Within 14 days of service of the claim form
When must the defendant respond to the proceedings?
After receiving the particulars of claim
When must the defendant file an acknowledgement of service?
if they do not have time for a full defence yet.
Must be served 14 days after particulars of claim (if its been served with the claim form and if it arrives later)
What are the options for the defence in acknowledging the service of the claim?
Admit the claim
Defend the claim
Defend part of the claim
Contest Courts jurisdiction
When should the defendant file a defence?
Within 14 days of service of particulars of claim
Can the parties agree to a time extension between themselves?
Yes they can extend the time to file a defence for up to 28 days. Defendant must inform the court
When can the claimant file for default judgement?
If the defendant fails to respond to the particulars of claim in the relevant time period and where the claim is for a specified sum of money
When MUST the court set aside a default judgement?
If judgement was wrongly entered by the court (error in time limits)
When can a claimant NOT file for default judgement?
If the defendant has applied for summary judgement or if the defendant has satisfied the whole claim
When MAY the court set aside a default judgement?
If the defendant has a real prospect of defending the claim
There is another good reason for the judgement to be set aside
What are the grounds for a defendant to challenge the courts jurisdiction?
Order permitting the extension of the claim form should not have been given
Claim form has been served out of time or at wrong address
Some other country has jurisdiction
The parties had agreed to arbitration or mediation
When must the claimant apply to the court (instead of file) for a default judgement?
When you are seeking money as well as a non-financial remedy???
What must statements of case documents be verified with?
A statement of truth
What is the procedure for a party requesting further information?
Party serves written request
Responding party must write a response and send to the other party and file at court
If the responding party has not responded within 14 days, then the party can make an application without notice to the court
When can a party make an amendment to a statement of case?
Anytime before it is served
If the other party does not consent to an amendment, can the court grant permission?
If the claim form has NOT been served, then no permission is needed from the court
If claim form HAS been served then court permission is required and will only given if the amendment is desirable
What must a party do if they are served with a counter claim?
They must serve either a defence or acknowledgement of service
What is the overriding objective?
To deal with cases justly and at proportionate cost
When can a court strike out a statement of case?
No reasonable grounds for challenging the claim
Abuse of process
Failure to comply with rule, practice direction
When should a claim be allocated to the small claims track?
Value of less than £10,000
When should a claim be allocated to the fast track?
When the value is more than £10,000 but not more than £25,000
Trial should not last longer than one day
Oral expert evidence is limited to 4 experts
When should a claim be allocated to the multi-track?
Claim of more than £25,000
What does the court disregard when determining the financial value of the claim (for allocation)?
Any amount not in dispute
Any claim for interest
Costs
Contributory Negligence
What are the limits for personal injury cases in small claims track?
Small claims for PI is £1500
Road traffic accidents is £5000
What is the typical timetable for fast track cases for disclosure, exchange of witness statements, exchange of experts reports, sending pre-trial checklists, filing of pre-trial checklists and hearing?
disclosure: 4 weeks
exchange of witness statements: 10 weeks
exchange of experts reports: 14 weeks
sending pre-trial checklists:20 weeks
filing of pre-trial checklists: 22 weeks
hearing: 30 weeks
*periods run from the date of allocation
Who should attend a CMC?
Legal representative familiar with the case
With sufficient authority to deal with any issues should they arrive
When is a costs management conference required or not?
All multi-track cases
Exceptions: cases with value of more than £10 million
How does the court decide on the relief from sanctions in the Denton test?
- Identify the seriousness and significance of the breach (has it impacted future hearing dates)
- Consider why the breach occurred
- Evaluate all circumstances to enable the court to deal with the case justly and at proportionate cost
Who can apply for summary judgement?
Claimant and Defendant