News


Further Update on our Head of Chambers, Patrick Harrington QC

Published: 17/04/2020 | News

We are delighted to be able to pass on the extremely good news received from Patrick’s wife, Susan, that Patrick is improving daily and will be going home at the end of next week. Patrick’s progress over the last 4 to 5 weeks has been remarkable. Susan and the family want to thank everyone for […]

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To Adjourn or not to Adjourn? That is the Question

Published: 14/04/2020 | News

The return of ‘normal’ court hearings is a necessity for the bulk of personal injury litigation. Court hearings and judicial determinations are essential: both for clients and their legal representatives (whether claimant or defendant). However vacating of hearings has become the norm. Listing will always be a matter for the judge and will be subject […]

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Highway Maintenance: Covid-19 Update

Published: 14/04/2020 | News

This article addresses the impact of Covid-19 on maintaining safe highways. Concerned parties will primarily be cautious as to whether altered regimes will impact on the strength of any s. 58 defence. The relevant part of s. 58 reads as follows, with some emphasis added: (1) In an action against a highway authority in respect […]

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Likely Effects of the 2019 Coronavirus Epidemic in the UK on Life Expectancy and Whole Life Multipliers

Published: 09/04/2020 | News

The life expectancy of the Claimant is a crucial factor in quantifying awards for future losses, in many personal injury and clinical negligence claims. The National Life Tables (NLT), published annually by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) provides expectations of life by age and sex, based on historical data and allow an approximation of […]

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‘Off the Hook’ – A Brief Guide to Avoiding the Potential Pitfalls of Trials Conducted Over the Telephone.

Published: 09/04/2020 | News

Introduction During the pandemic, the courts are dialling up the types of hearing being heard over the telephone. In certain instances, even full trials are now being heard in this way. Telephone trials have very different dynamics to normal courtroom hearings and can present additional difficulties to those conducting them on behalf of clients. What […]

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Birmingham County Court Update – All SC & FT Trials until 29 May: Vacated

Published: 08/04/2020 | News

The COVID 19 pandemic means that for all of us movement is restricted to that which is essential. HM Government has issued advice to the Courts about the safety of Judges, HMCTS staff and ways of working. As a result of these matters, and the illness and self isolation of staff and Judges, a number […]

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Latest guidance from Sheffield & South Yorkshire Courts – 07.04.20

Published: 07/04/2020 | News

Introduction 1. This listing and hearing protocol is addressed to all civil court users. It is intended to give some guidance as to what work can be done and the manner in which it can be done. It applies to all Civil work. It is guidance only. It has no application to Family or Criminal […]

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Vicarious Liability: Supreme Court gives Judgment in Barclays and Morrisons, by Tom Bourne-Arton

Published: 01/04/2020 | News

The Supreme Court has given Judgment in the twinned cases of: a) Barclays Bank plc v Various Claimants [2020] UKSC 13, and b) WM Morrisons Supermarkets plc v Various Claimants [2020] UKSC 12 These cases deal with vicarious liability. For vicarious liability to attach, two considerations have to be met: First, what sort of relationship […]

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