Everyone is entitled to access to justice and to issue court proceedings – but that has to be balanced against the rights of those on the receiving end of groundless claims not to be subjected to constant litigation. In one case, the High Court took
In a decision of importance to landlords and tenants, the Supreme Court has ruled that property owners cannot be held liable for the consequences of disrepairs of which they have not been notified. The case concerned an accident in which the subtenant of a flat
Insurance disputes in respect of whether a vehicle is or is not a write-off following an accident are sadly familiar to thousands of motorists. However, one High Court case involving a catastrophic fire on board a ship with an insured value of $12 million showed
The need to foster economic development and provide employment opportunities is an important factor in many planning cases – but it does not always prevail. In one case that made the point, the High Court scotched plans for a new industrial estate on a Greenfield
In an important decision which set parameters on the exercise of executive power by government ministers, the Supreme Court blocked the Lord Chancellor’s plans to use subordinate legislation to introduce a residence test for the receipt of legal aid. The Lord Chancellor proposed restricting legal
Ambiguity as to when a contract is completed creates fertile ground for dispute. This was illustrated by one High Court case in which an aircraft leasing company won multi-million pound damages after a bank reneged on a binding funding obligation. The company argued that the
A solicitor who was deeply upset when her private emails were accessed without her authority during a hunt for evidence in the context of arbitration proceedings has won a substantial damages payout after launching a unique breach of privacy claim. The woman was in dispute
In an important decision which established that computer software can properly be viewed as ‘goods’, notwithstanding its intangibility, the High Court has awarded substantial compensation to a commercial agent whose client backed out of a promotion deal without notice. The agent had agreed to promote
Freezing orders are an essential tool by which the courts ensure that alleged wrongdoers have no opportunity to disperse their assets prior to judgment or enforcement action. However, a Court of Appeal case has underlined the salutary duty on those who apply for such orders
In an important decision of which charities and religious bodies should take careful note, the Court of Appeal has underlined that they can be held legally liable for the misdeeds of volunteers as well as paid employees. The case concerned a man who held office
