Latest by Suzan Kurdi
Can litigation privilege be claimed for exploratory correspondence with an expert before litigation is in prospect?
In a recent case, the Court decided that correspondence with an expert did not attract legal professional privilege. The expert's work had been intended to provide "ballast" for a claim in suspected mismanagement, but in fact the expert's investigation uncovered a potential alternative claim, which was quite distinct from the claim initially being investigated.
Read moreExceptions to the without prejudice rule – another retrenchment
The Court of Appeal has resisted the temptation to provide clarity on the scope and application of the so-called Muller(1) exception to the without prejudice rule. In Berkeley Square Holdings Limited v Lancer Property Asset Management Limited(2), it indicated that recent first instance decisions had strayed beyond the facts in Muller, a development that might widen the scope of the exception unjustifiably.
Read moreOrders for pre-action disclosure – exceptional in a commercial context?
Although parties are expected to exchange key documents before starting proceedings in the English court, a recent decision in the Commercial Court highlights the limited nature of those obligations, particularly in a commercial context.
Read moreContribution to legal costs: natural love and affection or calculated self-interest?
When will an order for costs be made against a family member who was not a party to the underlying proceedings, but who contributed significantly to funding the losing party's defence? Answer: when the funder has a personal interest in the litigation. Kazakhstan Kagazy Plc (and others) v Maksat Arip (and others)[1]
Read moreEconomic duress: when is a threat not an (illegitimate) threat?
In what circumstances can a threat not to enter into a contract amount to economic duress? Broadly speaking, when pressure is exerted "in bad faith", according to the Court of Appeal in Times Travel (UK) Limited v Pakistan International Airlines Corporation
Read moreWatch out! Internal settlement negotiations may not always remain "internal"
WH Holding Limited (1) West Ham United Football Club Limited (2) v E20 Stadium LLP [2018] EWCA Civ 2652 finds that internal settlement negotiations are not protected by litigation privilege.
Read more