Disputes Flashcards
What is mediation?
A confidential process to facilitate dispute resolution through a third party
It’s not binding
It’s quicker and cheaper
What is arbitration?
Where an impartial adjudicator resolves a dispute
Decision is final and bounding
Parties are agreeing to oust court’s jurisdiction
What are the advantages of arbitration?
Privacy
Easier enforcement
Can choose specialist to determine dispute
What are the advantages of ADR in general?
Court expectations
Better relationships
Generally less expensive and saves time
Greater privacy/confidentiality
Less disruption
Range of outcomes
Outcomes reflect risk
Parties in control
Parties more involved
What considerations are there for ADR?
- Pre-action protocols and practice directions that require parties to consider ADR
- Guidance with Precedent H
- Directions Questionnaire (fast/multi track) requiring solicitors to confirm they’ve explained to clients the needs, options and consequences of settlement
- At case management conference, court will want to know what steps parties took
How will ADR come into costs orders?
Court will consider party conduct when making costs order and consider whether any refusal to engage in ADR was reasonable
Burden of proof on unsuccessful party
What is the purpose of pre-action protocol?
Designed to push parties to resolve disputes without involving the court
What does the pre-action protocol for PI claims stipulate?
C write Letter of Notification to D
Parties consider rehabilitation needs
C writes Letter of Claim to D with full details of claim
D acknowledges LoC within 21 days
D investigates and sends Letter of Response within 3 months
Disclose key documents, engage in negotiations and make settlement proposals
Joint selection of quantum expert
When must a claim form be issued?
Before the limitation date so the limitation defence doesn’t arise
What is the limitation date for contractual claims? And for tortious?
Contractual: 6 years from when breach occurs
Tortious: 6 years from when innocent party suffers recoverable loss from breach
What are the possible consequences for not complying with a pre-action protocol?
Court decides whether consequences are merited
Most likely will relate to costs and interest
May stay proceedings until relevant steps are taken
Can ask for an explanation
How can non-compliance with a pre-action protocol be justified?
- Where limitation period was about to expire
- Another reason for urgent proceedings or for element of surprise
What must be considered where a dispute has an international element?
- Do E & W courts have jurisdiction to determine the claim?
- Which country’s laws apply to determine the claim
- Is it necessary to enforce judgement abroad and how?
What is the general rule regarding jurisdiction?
Court of E&W will determine disputes over matters occurring in E&W but not over matters that took place outside E&W or concern nationals of other countries
If a matter took place outside E&W, or concerned nations of other countries, what is considered?
If the Hague Convention applies
1. Must be a civil or commercial matter
2. Must not be an excluded matter (consumer/employment)
3. Does clause give jurisdiction to a Contracting state? (if not, common law applies)
4. Jurisdiction must be given exclusively
5. Agreement must be in writing
6. Consider if agreement is asymmetric
If clause falls within Hague Convention, what happens?
Court indicated as having jurisidction must do, and must not refuse
What is common law jurisdiction?
One of the following must apply:
1. Is D present in E&W jurisdiction?
2. Court gives permission to serve outside
3. Courts of E&W given jurisdiction in contract
Where there is conflict over jurisdiction in the UK, how is which law applied determined? And for jurisdiction?
For applicable law, the same way as any other country
For jurisdiction:
- property proceedings: where property situated
- if parties agreed, given effect to
- if party submits, that court will have jurisdiction
- if none of above, where person is domiciled
How is the applicable law determined for contractual claims?
- Have parties chosen? If yes, that applies
- If not, does the contract relate to cases specified? If yes, those apply
- If not, it’s where the party required to effect characteristic performance has its habitual residence
- Whether 2 or 3 applies, court will apply a different country’s law if contract manifestly more closely connected with that country
How is the applicable law determined for tortious claims?
- Have parties validly chosen? If yes, (agreement made after damage or made before between commercial parties, freely negotiating) that applies
- If not, do parties habitually reside in same country? If yes, that applies
- If not, apply law of country where damage occurs
- Whether 2 or 3 applies, court will apply a different country’s law if contract manifestly more closely connected with that country
In what 2 courts can civil proceedings be commenced?
High Court
County Court
What are the thresholds for determining where civil proceedings start?
Must be in County Court:
- Non-PI claims up to £100,000
- PI claims less than £50,000
Either County or High Court:
- PI claims over £100,000
- PI claims of £50,000 or more
What does the financial value of a claim not include?
Interest, costs, counterclaims etc
What factors are used to determine if a claim should be started in High Court?
Financial value of claim
Complexity of case
Importance of outcome to the public
If C believes so
If the court disagrees with the C’s choice of court, what can they do?
Can transfer the case and may order C to pay costs of transfer
What 2 documents are needed to start a claim?
Claim form and particulars of claim
What must be done to issue a claim form?
- Copies of Claim Form (Form NI) issued and sealed
- Court issue fee
What is the significance of the date of issue of the claim form?
Stops time for limitation and starts time for when claim form can be served
To add a C or D to a claim, what is the test?
Must be ‘desirable’
To add a claimant to a claim, what is needed?
Their consent
Court’s permission (unless claim form hasn’t been served)
To add a claimant after the end of a limitation period, when is this allowed?
If limitation period was current when proceedings started, and
Addition/substitution is necessary: The intended D has been identified in the statements of case by description or less specifically
Who can effect service of a claim form?
Court or claimant (C’s solicitor must file certificate of service after at court within 21 days of service)
When is service ‘effected’ within jurisdiction?
After the ‘relevant step’ has been completed before 12:00 midnight on calendar day 4 months after date of issue of claim form
What happens if a claim form is not served within the required time period?
Claim will fail
If they still want to pursue the claim, must issue a new claim and pay court fee again
How can an extension of time to serve the claim form be granted?
Application should be made within the 4 months needed to serve, and must show good reasons
If outside the 4 months, only granted if:
- Court failed to serve it
- C took all reasonable steps to comply
- Application was made promptly
When serving claim form outside jurisdiction, what are the requirements?
- C proves 1 of the grounds in GB PD 3.1 (see notes)
- Claim has reasonable prospects of success (low threshold)
- E&W is the ‘proper place’ to bring the claim
What is the time period in which to serve a claim form outside jurisdiction?
6 months on calendar day after date of issue of claim form
What is the service out procedure with and without permission?
With Permission: application to court & Form N244
Without Permission: Form N510 when issues and files claim form
When is it necessary to seek the court’s permission out of jurisdiction to serve claim form?
Where courts of E&W do not have jurisdiction
When is a claim form deemed served?
2nd business day after ‘relevant step’
When should the particulars of claim be served (if not with claim form)?
Within 14 days of claim form being served
AND
Within 4 months of claim form being issued (if with jurisdiction)
What are the deemed dates of service for instantaneous methods (other than claim form)?
If done before 4:30pm on business day, that day
If not, next business day
What are the deemed dates of service for non-instantaneous methods (other than claim form)?
2nd day after posting/giving to DX provider, if business day
If not, next business day
When does the D need to respond?
After the PoC has been served (until then, can do nothing)
What options does a D have for responding to a PoC?
- Admit
- Defend
- File an Acknowledgement of Service
If admitting a claim, when does the D need to send the relevant admission form?
Within 14 days of DDOS of PoC
If a specified amount is admitted in part, what does the D need to do in responding?
State amount they admit to
File defence for unadmitted amount
If an unspecified amount is admitted to, what does the D need to do in responding?
Can admit to pay whole sum or offer sum in satisfaction
Quantum must be decided
Where a D admits to a specified amount, what can they request?
A request for time to pay
What is a ‘judgement’?
Final order disposing of the claim
It’s an option for the C, not mandatory
It’s payable within 14 days
Where a D wants to defend a claim, when must the defence be filed and served on all parties?
Either:
- Within 14 days of PoC
- Within 28 days of PoC as they filed an AoS first
When does a D not need to file a defence?
If C has already filed for summary judgement before defence has been submitted
For how long can a D and C agree an extension of time for serving a defence? If they want longer, what should they do?
Up to 28 days
Must apply to court if longer
Where D served with claim for a specified amount but they have already paid C, what can they do?
Respond with defence saying ‘money paid’
Court notifies C and C has to reply within 18 days
When must a D file an acknowledgement of service?
Within 14 days of PoC
When should an AoS be filed?
If D unable to file defence within 14 days or want to dispute court jurisdiction
What are the consequences for the D for not responding to the claim form in time?
C can apply for judgement in default
What is the procedure for disputing jurisdiction?
- D files AoS
- D applies within 14 days after filing AoS, disputing jurisdiction, supported by evidence
What should the D be careful not to do when disputing jurisdiction?
Careful not to submit i.e. take any action engaging with proceedings beyond filing an AoS
What are default judgements?
Applying for judgement to be granted in C’s favour without trial if D hasn’t responded to a claim within the prescribed time limits
C has won case
No application for summary judgement or strike out can have been made by the D
What is the difference between strike out, summary judgement and default judgement?
Strike Out: focuses on statements of case
Summary Judgement: cases which are weak in facts - court considers merits
Default Judgement: is procedural - doesn’t look at contents or merits of the case
When must a court set aside default judgement?
Where judgement was wrongly entered e.g. time limit hadn’t expired
When may a court set aside default judgement?
Judgement was correctly entered but:
a) D has real prospect of successful defence (not just arguable)
or
b) There’s another good reason
Must be supported by evidence
What is a ‘Relief from Sanction’?
Application used to set aside a default judgement
What are the different ways a claim can end?
Success (trial or summary judgement)
Settlement
Discontinuance
Admission
Judgement following strike out
What is discontinuance?
Ends proceedings by C
Can be done at any time, for part or whole of the claim, against some or all defendants
C is liable to pay D’s costs until that point
What is the procedure for discontinuance?
- File notice of discontinuance at court
- Serve copy on every party
- Takes effect from date of service
- Upon discontinuance, costs order deemed to have been made in D’s favour on standard basis
What are the 3 rules for counting time?
- Always clear days (start on following day from when period begins)
- If end of period defined by reference to an event, that day is not included
- Where specified period is 5 days or less, don’t include weekends, bank holidays, Christmas or Good Friday
What are the main statements of case?
Claim form
PoC
Defence
Counterclaim
Reply
What is the structure of a statement of case?
Title of Proceedings
Contents Specific to that Doc
Statement of Truth
What does every statement of case need at the end and why?
Needs a statement of truth that verifies the statement of case
Can lead to proceedings for contempt of court if it contains false info
What makes up the contents of a claim form?
Sets out the key elements of the claim e.g. party identities; addresses
Concise statement of nature of the claim
Remedy sought
For money, specified, unspecified or known statement of value of the claim
If choosing between courts, jurisdictional endorsement
What makes up the contents of a particulars of claim?
Concise statement of facts on which C relies
Show duty, breach, causation and loss
Any claim for interest and remedies sought
What is the purpose of the defence?
Reacts to every point/allegation in the particulars of claim, stating full details of D’s own case
Each allegation must be dealt with individually
How can a D respond to each allegation in the defence?
- Admit
- Deny it (with reasons)
- Require proof of allegation (where they can’t deny or admit it)
What happens if a D fails to deal with an allegation?
They are deemed to admit it
Unless it’s a money claim where it’s not admitted to unless D specifically does so
What other things can be included in a defence?
- Limitation defence
- Disputing statement of value
- For PI claims, response to schedule of past/future expenses and losses, and medical report
- Any matters to do with mitigation or reduction of damages
- Any counterclaims
What is a ‘Reply’?
An optional statement of case served by C, alleging facts in response to defence not included in the claim form
Should be filed with directions questionnaire in the form of ‘Reply and Defence to Counterclaim’
Should be the last statement of case - permission needed to file one after this
What is a counterclaim?
Establishes duty, breach, causation and loss against C
May or may not be related to original case
Single doc with defence ‘Defence and Counterclaim’ and pay a fee
What is the defence of ‘set-off’?
the facts that give rise to a counterclaim may also amount to a defence in the main claim
Can be a partial or complete defence to main claim
Has effect of extinguishing any claim up to same amount against D
How can a C respond to a counterclaim?
By admitting or defending
How long does a C have to serve defence to a counterclaim?
14 days of service of counterclaim
How can a party request for further information about statements of case?
Expected to do so on voluntary basis first, only applying to court if request can’t be resolved
They serve a written request on other party stating date for response, including a statement of truth
If the other party objects, must do so within timeframe set out in request and give reasons
What must amendments to statements of case be verified by?
Statements of truth
When can amendments be made to statements of case without permission or consent?
Before the statement of case is served
What is an amendment by consent?
Any statement of case can be amended at any time with consent of all other parties
When does a party need permission to amend a statement of case?
Statement of case has been served & written consent of all parties hasn’t been given
Must file application notice with the court together with a copy of the proposed amended statement of case
What should be done if permission is given for an amendment to a statement of case?
The amended statement of case should be filed within 14 days of such order granting amendment
Must have an endorsement on it and re-verified by statement of truth if substance has changed
What is a late amendment?
One sought close to the trial date
What is the general rule and exceptions that apply to amendments after the limitation period?
Not allowed unless original set-off/counterclaim raised by amendment or where otherwise provided for
What specific obligations are on parties regarding interim applications?
To ‘bunch’ their interim applications
What is the procedure for ‘with notice’ interim applications?
- File application notice at court & court fee
- Service: effected as soon as possible after application filed & no less than 3 days before application is to be heard
- Further evidence
- Hearing: can be done by phone or dealt with without hearing at all
When must further evidence/statement of costs be filed and exchanged for summary judgements and interim payments?
No less than 7 days before the hearing
When can a ‘without notice’ interim application be made?
Exceptional urgency
OO furthered
All parties consent
Court gives permission or court order does
Date for hearing fixed & insufficient time to serve notice
What safeguards are there for the ‘without notice’ procedure?
Applicant must explain why
Applicant must draw court’s attention to the other side
Applicant must serve respondent ASAP after hearing
Court order contains statement of respondent’s right to make an application to set aside/vary order
What are the requirements for a summary judgement to be upheld?
- C or D has no real prospect of succeeding (just needs some chance to counter this)
- No other compelling reason why case/issue should not be disposed of
Evidence must support these grounds and be served at least 14 days before hearing
Who and when can apply for summary judgement?
Claimant: after D files AoS or Defence
Defendant: after proceedings commenced
Court: fix hearing of its own initiative
What is the effect of a summary judgement application?
Creates a pause in proceedings
What potential orders are there for a summary judgement?
Dismissal of Application
Dismissal of Claim (if D wins)
Judgement on Claim (if C wins)
Conditional Order
What is an interim payment?
Payment on account for damages D may be held liable to pay to C