Interim Applications Flashcards
re: general applications
what should parties do before making an application?
- Parties should try to resolve matters themselves before making an IA.
re: general applications
what information must be included in/with the N244?
o Must state what is being sought and why (good practice to refer to CPR)
o Should state the appropriate order as to costs
o Must have a draft order appended (except in simple applications)
o Should have a witness statement appended from a person best able to address the points i.e. if it is a technical application then from the solicitor (not a formal requirement but usually needed to explain facts)
o A copy of the consent order (if applicable)
re: general applications
how may the application be decided?
- The application may be decided without a hearing if the parties agree or the court consider a hearing is not necessary
re: general applications
when can a hearing take place by phone?
o Hearings for less than 1 hour and where one party is legally represented can take place by phone
re: general applications
what should parties do if a hearing is needed?
o If a hearing is needed parties should attempt to agree a time estimate
re: general applications
will there be oral evidence at the hearing?
o Oral evidence at an IA is extremely rare
re: general applications
who hears an interim application?
- Masters and DJs can hear most IAs but some applications are reserved to CJ in the CC or HCJ in the HC i.e. freezing injunctions and search orders
re: general applications
what is the general position as to notice?
The general position is that applications are made on notice
The application and documentation must be served as soon as practicable after it is filed and at least 3 clear days before the hearing
re: general applications
where the application is made on notice, when must it be filed and served?
The application and documentation must be served as soon as practicable after it is filed and at least 3 clear days before the hearing
re: general applications
re: general applications
what are clear days and what is a good way to calculate this?
Clear days = doesn’t include the day on which the period begins (i.e. the hearing) and as it is less than 5 days doesn’t include weekends or bank holidays. Work backwards from day before hearing date to calculate.
re: general applications
when can an application be made without notice?
- An application may be made without notice if:
o There is exceptional urgency;
o It promotes the OR;
o There is consent of the parties;
o There is permission of the court; or
o A court order, rule or PD requires it
re: general applications
what must the applicant do when making the without notice application?
- The applicant must state why notice has not been given and must present any arguments they reasonably think the respondent would put forward
re: general applications
what must an applicant do following the without notice application?
Whatever the outcome of the w/o notice application, the application, supporting documentation and order must be served on the respondent
The order must state that the other party has the right to make an application to set aside or vary the order
The respondent has 7 days to exercise this right
re: general applications
when are costs decided?
- Judge will decide costs at the end of the IA (called PAYG litigation)
re: general applications
what is the general position regarding costs?
- General rule - loser pays the winner’s costs but the court has discretion to make cost orders to reflect the conduct of the parties.
re: general applications
what are the most common costs orders?
[named party’s] costs named party is entitled to payment of costs by o/s
Normally summarily assessed and ordered to be paid within 14 days
Usually made when the applicant is successful with their application
Costs in case neither party pays at this stage. The loser of the overall litigation will be liable to pay.
Might be used if a conditional order was granted
No order as to costs each party bears their own costs.
Often used when there is effectively a draw or no party is at fault
re: general applications
explain [named party’s] costs and when this might be used
o named party is entitled to payment of costs by o/s
Normally summarily assessed and ordered to be paid within 14 days
Usually made when the applicant is successful with their application
re: general applications
explain costs in case and when this might be used
o neither party pays at this stage. The loser of the overall litigation will be liable to pay.
Might be used if a conditional order was granted
re: general applications
explain no order as to costs and when this might be used
o No order as to costs each party bears their own costs.
Often used when there is effectively a draw or no party is at fault
re: summary judgment
who can make this application?
- Application can be made by either C or D, but typically used by C if D files a weak defence
re: summary judgment
is permission required?
- Permission to make the application is not required unless they want to make the application before D has filed the AOS (this is unlikely to be successful)
re: summary judgment
when will D not need to file a defence?
- If C makes an application after D has filed the AOS but before filing the defence, D need not file a defence. If the application fails, the judge will give directions for the filing of the defence
re: summary judgment
will there be a hearing?
yes.
re: summary judgment
what happens at the hearing?
Each party puts forward why the claim should / should not continue (i.e. not arguments about liability of the overall claim)
re: summary judgment
what notice must the respondent be given of the hearing?
o The respondent must be given at least 14 days’ notice of the hearing
re: summary judgment
when must the respondent file any evidence?
o The respondent must file any evidence at least 7 days before the hearing
re: summary judgment
when must the applicant file evidence?
o The applicant must file any evidence at least 3 days before the hearing
re: summary judgment
on what grounds can the judge grant SJ?
explain what D and C need to prove respectively
It considers either:
C has no real prospect of succeeding with the claim; /
D has no real prospect of successfully defending the claim or issue; AND
o There is no other compelling reason why the case should be disposed of
If effect, a C applicant has to prove both elements for their application to be successful. Whereas a D respondent only needs to prove one limb to prevent the application for SJ.
re: summary judgment
what is meant by real prospect?
the claim/defence is not merely fanciful or unrealistic
re: summary judgment
give examples of ‘compelling reasons’
o The claim is complicated/technical and so a trial is needed
o Certain witnesses need to be heard from / tracked down
o More time to investigate the claim is needed
re: summary judgment
what ruling / orders can the judge make?
the judge can grant SJ on whole, part or none of the claim:
- Judgment on claim
- Strike out or dismissal
- Application is dismissed
- Conditional order
re: summary judgment
explain ‘judgment on claim’ and the effect of this
Judgment on claim = claimant successful
o Claimant will get the sought remedy plus interest & costs
Spec claim > fixed costs under part 45 but can ask for a summary assessment for a higher figure
Unspec claim > disposal hearing and summary assessment of costs
re: summary judgment
if there has been ‘judgment on claim’, what is the cost position?
Claimant will get the sought remedy plus interest & costs
Spec claim - fixed costs under part 45 but can ask for a summary assessment for a higher figure
Unspec claim - disposal hearing and summary assessment of costs
re: summary judgment
explain ‘strike out or dismissal’ and the effect of this
Strike out or dismissal = defendant successful
o Case comes to an end. C pays D’s costs to be summarily assessed.
re: summary judgment
if there has been ‘strike out or dismissal’, what is the cost position?
o Case comes to an end. C pays D’s costs to be summarily assessed.
re: summary judgment
explain application dismissed and the effect of this
o The matter will proceed to trial
o Unsuccessful party will pay the other party’s costs
re: summary judgment
if the application has been dismissed, what is the cost position?
o Unsuccessful party will pay the other party’s costs