2018

Successful defence of a multimillion pound occupational stress case: Piepenbrock v London School of Economics

Following a ten day trial in July, Nicola Davies J has dismissed a claim brought by a teaching fellow against his former employer, the LSE.  The claim arose out of an incident that occurred on a trip that the Claimant and his…

Susanna Bennett considers vicarious liability of a small company for a late night assault by its managing director

Small Company Held Vicariously Liable for Acts of Its Managing Director at Late Night Drinking Session after Work Christmas Party

In Bellman v Northampton Recruitment Limited [2018] EWCA Civ 2214 the Court of Appeal has found that a company is vicariously liable for the…

Recovering costs following settlement and discontinuance

In two recent appeal cases have clarified the position of a defendant wishing to recover its cost from a claimant following discontinuance.

In Cartwright v Venduct [2018] EWCA Civ 1654 the Claimant sued two defendants. The Claimant settled against D1 by way…

The ‘Illegality’ Defence rears its ugly head again.

Cornwall Coroner found that hospital failings amounted to neglect

The inquest heard that Katy Lowry, who had physical and learning disabilities, died whilst waiting to be examined in A&E at the Royal Cornwall Hospital.
There was a failure to carry out basic observations and a consequent delay in the instigation…

Laura Hibberd appears in the Court of Appeal in Re K (A Child)

Laura Hibberd, instructed by Morrison Spowart, appeared on behalf of the Respondent Mother in an appeal by the child’s guardian following a dismissal of a care order application in a final hearing earlier this year.
At the final hearing the Judge…

Oliver Millington considers the important Court of Appeal decision in Tuson v Murphy

To what extent should a claimant’s dishonest and misleading conduct regarding her ability to work make her liable for costs incurred prior to the date of expiry of a Part 36 offer accepted after the 21-day period? That was the key issue…

Tom Little QC prosecutes man who pleads guilty to murdering his mother

Tom Little QC prosecuted Majid Butt who on 4th September 2018 pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to the murder of his 71 year old mother, having strangled her with the electrical lead that was used to charge her mobility scooter. He…

Chambers & Partners have shortlisted Giles Mooney as Personal Injury/Clinical Negligence Junior of the Year

We are delighted to announce that after extensive research by Chambers & Partners Giles Mooney has been shortlisted as Personal injury and Clinical Negligence Junior of the year. The Chambers bar awards will be held on 25 October 2018 at The London…

When a PPO is not reasonably secure

The Claimant was injured in an accident in the course of his employment and sued his employers. Liability was admitted. He suffered a stroke as a result of the accident and, as a consequence, was a protected party. There was an anonymity…